Salem Police Ready for Potential Threats to Downtown Properties & Safety
Early this afternoon, Salem Police Chief Jerry Moore phoned Chamber CEO Tom Hoffert with information on a concerning development. A credible source to the Salem Police Department has identified that a destructive protest group, similar to what has been seen in downtown Portland, intends to gather at the State Capitol tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon and potentially march into Salem’s downtown business area. The Salem Police Department has ramped up their on-duty staff in anticipation of possible destructive behavior. The Salem law enforcement is responsible for protecting the safety and property of our residents. Chief Moore has assured our organization that the Police Department is fully equipped and ready to ensure that our small businesses and properties are safe, to the best of their abilities.
“Community safety is a top priority,” said Steve Powers, Salem City Manager. “We are getting this notice to our public as soon as we learned of the possible threats and have made direct contact with downtown businesses. Our police department has increased police officers for Saturday and activated our special teams.”
The City does not believe the groups who are planning to come to Salem are affiliated with any of our known community organizers.
The City will continue to post meaningful updates to its website at cityofsalem.net and through the Salem Police Department Twitter account.
The Salem Chamber supports the freedom of individuals to peacefully protest but does not condone any violent destructive actions which harm our community.
Governor Brown Announces New Business Restrictions in Marion County
Today, Governor Brown handed down new government mandates pausing social activities in an attempt to decrease the rapid spread of COVID-19 cases in counties where community transmission have increased. These measures will be in effect for two weeks, beginning November 11 through November 25, for Malheur, Marion, Multnomah, Jackson, and Umatilla Counties.
In her news conference this afternoon, Governor Brown stated that if Oregonians cannot contain the spread of the virus, she will order further business mandates and closures.
The Two-Week Pause measures include:
- Urging all businesses to mandate work from home to the greatest extent possible.
- Pausing long-term care facility visits that take place indoors to protect staff and residents.
- Reducing maximum restaurant capacity to 50 people (including customers and staff) for indoor dining, with a maximum party size of six. Continuing to encourage outdoor dining and take out.
- Reducing the maximum capacity of other indoor activities to 50 people (includes gyms, fitness organizations/studios, bowling alleys, ice rinks, indoor sports, pools, and museums).
- Limiting social gatherings to your household, or no more than six people if the gathering includes those from outside your household, reducing the frequency of those social gatherings (significantly in a two-week period), and keeping the same six people in your social gathering circle.
The Salem Chamber will continue to provide members with all updates and developing information. Detailed information regarding these regulations will be provided following the Governor’s official release on Monday, November 9th.