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Public commenter alleges repeated trespass enforcement against people seeking shelter; auditor and acting chief respond
Summary
A public commenter told the commission that specific officers repeatedly issue trespass citations to people sheltering in extreme weather; the interim auditor and acting-in-capacity chief said complaints are common and said enforcement follows city law, but urged complainants to submit evidence for review.
During the public-comment period of the Feb. 13 Police Commission meeting, a community advocate identified as Kim said she has gathered numerous complaints that Eugene officers (she named Officers Strandler, Doggett and Pizzola) have issued trespass citations to people sheltering during severe weather and claimed she personally had been cited eight times for assisting people during weather events. Kim said some incidents involved property the city or a private company uses and that she has video documenting interactions.
Kim: "They are coming out and giving people trespassing tickets in extreme weather events ... These people are just trying to survive, and these 3 officers are coming out, and they are harassing them. They are using abusive authority. Like, it's so inhumane, and it's so gross."
Interim Independent Police Auditor Mark Gessner and Acting-in-Capacity Chief Jake Burke responded during the meeting. Gessner said the auditor's office frequently receives complaints about trespass citations and emphasized that if officers are enforcing laws that exist on the city or property-owner's books, the conduct is not automatically misconduct. He asked that complainants submit evidence for review.
Gessner: "If it's the policy of the city and it's the laws of the city and the officers are directed to enforce those laws, it's not misconduct by the police officers." He added that the auditor's office will review what is provided.
Acting-in-Capacity Chief Jake Burke said the department enforces private-property trespass differently than public-space matters and pointed to state and municipal frameworks that govern when and how citations are issued. Councilor Randy Groves noted the legal difference between private-property trespass (triggered by the property owner) and enforcement on public property, and that state law and court decisions shape local practice.
Kim told the commission she had raised complaints with the auditor previously and believes at least some tickets were issued without property owners' request; she said she had video and property-boundary information that she would share.
Commissioners and liaisons thanked the commenter and said the auditor's office and department staff would follow up on submitted evidence. Several commissioners also expressed sympathy with people seeking shelter in extreme weather and said the topic underscored broader policy and resource questions about how the city balances property rights, public safety and humanitarian concerns.
The commission did not take formal action on the public comment but directed staff and the auditor's office to follow up on documented complaints.
