Why bother arresting anyone if there will be no punishment for violence?

Oregon State Police Portland to its rotten children

Yes, the siege of the Hatfield Federal Courthouse has lasted for over 70 straight days, leaving only the question, is it because the civil authorities are incompetent or corrupt? From Zachary Stieber in the Epoch Times:

Oregon State Police troopers are leaving Portland despite continued violence in the state’s largest city.

Troopers were helping quell the unrest that has consumed portions of the city since May 28.

Capt. Timothy Fox, a state police spokesman, told The Epoch Times that the decision stemmed from the district attorney overseeing Portland deciding not to pursue some criminal charges.

“The Oregon State Police is continually reassessing our resources and the needs of our partner agencies and, at this time, we are inclined to move those resources back to counties where prosecution of criminal conduct is still a priority,” Fox said in an emailed statement late Thursday.

The state police had also fulfilled their commitment to a two week stint that ended on Aug. 12, he added.

“Troopers are returning to the communities that they are assigned to serve and protect. We will continually assess our resources if our partners at PPB need OSP assistance,” he said.

The violence has not subsided, as Steiber previously reported in the Epoch Times the DA is not pursuing charges because:

Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt claimed the unusual move would lead to a safer community.

Speaking at a press conference, Schmidt said he acknowledges the emotions of those involved in nightly demonstrations, many of which have turned violent.

“These demonstrations are being used to righteously express grief, anger, and frustration over that senseless act of violence, and the countless other abuses people of color have endured throughout history at the hands of the legal system,” he told reporters.

Schmidt said he wants to be responsive to demands from the demonstrators and the new policy on handling protest-related cases is just the start.

Escape in the third degree, harassment, and riot will also not be prosecuted under the policy.

County DA Schmidt may soon be tutored by US AG Barr if not the National Guard. In the meantime we have these little reminders that elections matter. Isn’t there another Blue DA in the news with creative approaches to law enforcement?

Incompetent or corrupt?