Claiming that law enforcement is not a solution for law breaking, Sheriff O’Donnell initially declined to accept people arrested for illegal camping.

O’Donnell’s commitment to non-law enforcement was discovered when Portland Police offered shelter space to an illegal camper who then refused to remove his camp from public property. After the arrest, O’Donnell refused to book the prisoner.

“We can’t book our way out of a housing crisis,” O’Donnell said.

O’Donnell’s comments came as a surprise to Oregon residents, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, the Portland City Council, Multnomah County Commissioners, the Portland Police Chief, every mayor and city councilor in Oregon, the Oregon Attorney General, Oregon Supreme Court Justices, the justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, and that Boise Judge who created the illegal camping mess in the first place.

“We’ve spent millions building housing options for the homeless just so we could get them off the streets, and suddenly the Multnomah County Sheriff knows better?” Mayor Wheeler said.

Under pressure, and realizing she might not get reelected, O’Donnell finally agreed to a temporary period of law enforcement, creating a 120 day window during which she would allow getting drug dealers and junkies off of Portland’s sidewalks. Mayor Wheeler was effusive in thanking the Sheriff.

“I want to express my thanks to Sheriff O’Donnell for agreeing to a period of law enforcement. I know how hard it is for her to enforce laws she doesn’t agree with.”

O’Donnell was quick to remind the Mayor that the her cooperation is temporary.”

“They’re all out by Christmas, Buster, so don’t get used to it!”