from The Oregonian

Portland’s Police Accountability Subcommittee is meeting tonight, and on the table is a proposal to ban the use of animals and chemical sprays for crowd control. The subcommittee is part of the Charter Review Commission: a group of volunteers proposing changes to what functions as the city’s constitution.

Also considered is an independent utility commission and instant run-off for City Council elections. A hearing for proposed amendments is being held February 22nd and a meeting of the full commission is on February 27th.

These changes could actually make it to the voters if it makes it past the subcommittee, the full committee and City Council. Support from City Hall hasn’t been enthusiastic so far and the process wasn’t clear from The Mercury’s story— but public pressure and a solid turn-out at these meetings is a good place to start.  Portland City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Avenue, Pettygrove Room * 6 – 8 PM