Patrols to increase near gay bars in Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland police will increase patrols and take other action to prevent anti-bias crime downtown.

The steps announced Tuesday by Mayor Sam Adams and Police Chief Mike Reese follow a pair of incidents in which gay men were allegedly assaulted by people who uttered anti-gay slurs.

The mayor and chief say police patrols will be boosted near gay bars and officers assigned to those areas will get additional training.

The bureau is also helping volunteers form a Neighborhood Watch-style program called the “Q Patrol.”

When a bias crime is reported, an advocate for the victim will respond along with investigators. The bureau already does this for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.