Resident accuses officers of intimidation and seeks release of body‑worn footage; chief explains disclosure limits

James Loftus, who identified himself as a former city councilor and the owner of Gardner House Cafe and Bed and Breakfast, used his public‑comment time to recount two September encounters with officers and to demand release of police video. "You need to leave. You're messing with my bliss and my enjoyment," Loftus said he told an officer who he described as approaching his property; he later said he recorded an encounter and that the police denied portions of his public‑records request.

Loftus accused officers of trespass and "official oppression" and asked the council to override the police chief to compel release of the footage. "I'm going to ask the council to rescind the chief's authority by denying me this those videos and have them released to me," he said, and warned he would file a tort claim if the issue were not addressed.

Councilors asked staff and the police chief how body‑worn footage is handled. The police chief explained that officers' contact recordings are extensive and that Oregon law requires redaction in many cases; public release must meet public‑interest standards and involves significant review. "Every contact that we have is recorded... Oregon State Law recognizing that that is a significant amount of footage, and that it has to be redacted if it's pushed out to the public," the chief said, adding that the city follows a process to determine whether recordings meet the disclosure standard.

City staff told council they would consult with the city attorney and follow recommendations about how to update council on the request, possibly via confidential channels or executive session. No formal council action was taken at the meeting. The council asked staff to report back with legal guidance on what can be released and how to proceed.