PORTLAND — A new city audit says Portland should follow its current policy and charge for police and other services provided when presidential campaigns visit the city.
The report released Tuesday by Portland City Auditor Mary Hull Caballero says the city hasn’t billed presidential campaigns for police protection, traffic control and other costs in two years. Campaign visits from October 2014 to April 2016 have cost the city at least $180,000 in police time.
The audit recommends the city charge political campaigns or event organizers for the costs of city services for future candidate visits. It also recommends the city determine whether collecting for recent visits is possible.
In a response included in the audit, Portland Police Chief Lawrence O’Dea says the department has tried unsuccessfully in the past to get payment from campaigns. He says the bureau agrees with and supports the audit recommendation.
