Portland Police Say They’re Struggling To Answer 911 Calls Amid Increasingly Violent Protests

Portland’s Police Bureau says it’s struggling to respond to 911 calls, including reports of assault, burglary and theft, as violence continues to escalate amid over 80 days of Black Lives Matter protests.

Police told the New York Post on Sunday night that dozens of people were struggling to reach 911 operators as officers were directed to quell sometimes aggressive crowds, throwing rocks and bottles at officers.

Among those requesting help were people calling to report “theft, vandalism, suspicious activity, hazards, hit and run, burglary, violation of restraining order, alarms, stolen cars, harassment and many others,” explained the police department.

The bureau also said on Monday that it was stymied from responding to reports of assault in the city on Sunday night because of a “hostile group,” but did not immediately respond to further questions from Forbes’.

Peaceful anti-racism protests once again spiraled into violence in the early hours of the morning this weekend, resulting in arrests and serious injuries.

At least 11 people were arrested on Saturday, with some rioters “launching mortars” at police and a 10-pound rock landing two officers in hospital.