Multnomah County Juvenile Services investigating disturbance at detention center

August 12, 2020

PORTLAND, Ore. —  The Multnomah County Juvenile Services Division was placed on secure lockdown at approximately 7:30pm on Wednesday, August 12 after a disturbance inside a pod at the detention center in Northeast Portland.

Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene and were able to quickly diffuse the incident with verbal commands. There are no reports of injuries to youth, staff, or deputies at this time.    

The Department of Community Justice (DCJ), which includes the County's Juvenile Service Division, is working with the Sheriff’s Office to learn what happened as quickly as possible.

“While there’s limited additional information that can be released during an investigation, we want to assure community members that the health and safety of our staff and youth in our care is paramount,” said Erika Preuitt director of the County’s Department of Community Justice.  

“The Department has maintained essential staff at the detention center, in accordance with national standards, throughout the COVID-19 outbreak and is working hard to balance the social and emotional needs of youth in our care during this extraordinary time,” said Preuitt.  

The Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Center is a 64-bed regional detention facility. Throughout the pandemic, the County has worked with partners to keep the average daily population at the center low, wherever possible. 

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