Committee votes to refer resolution to expand Portland Street Response as coequal responder; budget and scope questions remain

The Community and Public Safety Committee voted to send a resolution to full council recommending support for Portland Street Response (PSR) as a coequal branch of Portland’s first‑responder system and to establish a PSR advisory committee. The vote was 3–2 to refer the resolution with a recommendation for adoption.

What the resolution would do

The resolution expresses council support for expanding PSR, affirms that PSR is designed for mental and behavioral health crisis response and encourages the mayor to pursue actions including formal designation as a first responder, hiring and training for expanded hours, a call‑type review and reestablishing independent evaluations. The resolution also directs creation of a community advisory committee to inform PSR’s future.

Vote and procedural outcome

- Motion: refer the resolution supporting and expanding Portland Street Response as a coequal branch of the first responder system, and establish a PSR committee, to full council with a recommendation for adoption (motion text recorded in committee minutes). - Outcome: motion passed and the item was sent to full council with a recommendation for adoption. - Roll call (as recorded at the committee): Canal — Aye; Maria — Aye; Zimmerman — No; Smith — No; Novick — Aye.

Sponsors, invited experts and themes

Councilors introducing the resolution included Councilor Canal (co‑chair) and co‑sponsors Councilors Murillo and Avalos.…