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Oakland wins asset forfeiture money
[from People United for a Better Oakland (PUEBLO)]

Reversing the flow of federal funds to put more police on the street and build more prisons, PUEBLO and its allies were able to push more money into community programs to emphasize prevention over punishment.

"PUEBLO sponsored a press conference on April 4 to announce an unprecedented agreement reached with the Oakland Police Department to fund community-run youth and prevention programs using Asset Forfeiture Funds. Previously, the funds, which are seized from alleged drug dealers, were used almost entirely at the discretion of the police department.

"This agreement is the result of months of negotiation between the police and a coalition of community organizations led by PUEBLO. While Oakland is the first city to reach an agreement about the process whereby 15% of these funds will be transferred to community-run programs, many other cities are expected to follow suit.

"During the press conference, Deputy Chief Tom Donahue of the Oakland PD promised to work with police departments in other cities to establish similar programs."

While POPSG gathered information regarding assets seized in Portland and in Oregon (see sidebar) community support has not been overwhelming. Federal guidelines allow 15% of seized funds and unlimited hard goods to be turned over to non-profit community groups working on issues of education, housing, job training and drug abuse treatment (see PPR #5 for details). So, while POPSG contacted some 30 organizations who would qualify for these funds (since POSPG would not), none have picked up the ball and run with the idea.

Part of the reason may be that for a short time now, Oregon courts have been operating on the principle that holding a criminal trial for drug charges and a civil trial to seize assets constitutes double jeopardy, and is therefore unconstitutional. However, at PPR press time, a bill allowing for both trials to occur simultaneously was sitting on the Governor's desk waiting for his signature. This bill makes it clear that State, county and local police are not going to allow asset forfeiture to just end.

That being the case, a campaign to redirect asset forfeiture funds like the campaign in Oakland will certainly act as a tool to educate the public that asset seizure is going on. We can begin to enlighten the community by pointing out where the fruits of those seizures have been going. When they begin to hear of friends, neighbors and family who have had everything taken from them, turning seized assets back to the community will be just the beginning for them in dismantling this travesty of justice.

If you want more information on the details of the Oakland program, please give us a call, or contact the Campaign for Community Safety and Police Accountability * 1218 E 21st St Oakland, CA 94606 (510) 533-7583[see ctwo.org Center for Third World Organizing].

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Asset Forfeiture in Portland and Oregon

The amount of assets seized (cash and real property) in Oregon from 1986-1993, totals $15.6 million, 15% of which is $2.3 million (about $330,000 per year). (Figure combines federal, state and local funds.)

-- [Totals from Center for Third World Organizing, Oakland, CA]

Some of the real property seized in Portland was found by the City Auditor's office:

"A number of items acquired through drug and vice forfeiture are being used at the precincts. For example, we found television sets, exercise machines, weight lifting equipment, patio furniture, microwaves, and small tools at various precincts. While the law permits this practice, we believe this is questionable as it bypasses the City's budget appropriation process. Moreover, it appears inappropriate for the bureau to benefit from criminal activity unless the assets are used more directly to deter and reduce drug and vice crime."

-- [Portland Police Bureau Property-Evidence Center: A report by the Audit Secvices Division, February, 1995, p. 15]
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Second Trimester, 1995
Also in PPR #6

Portland Copwatch
PO Box 42456
Portland, OR 97242
(503) 236-3065/ Incident Report Line (503) 321-5120
e-mail: copwatch@portlandcopwatch.org

Portland Copwatch is a grassroots, volunteer organization promoting police accountability through citizen action.

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