Editorial: City’s refusal to fund new gun-violence unit will take toll on victims of other crimes Updated Apr 11, 2021; Posted Apr 11, 2021 Amid continuing calls to defund the police, the Portland City Council refused to provide any additional funds for a new police team to combat gun violence. Unfortunately, that will only further tax an already understaffed police bureau, leading to a reduced response from police to other crime victims, the editorial board writes. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian Facebook Share On balance, the compromise plan adopted by Portland City Council last week offers a promising strategy to confront the city’s escalating gun-violence crisis and reshape public safety. Along with a $4.1 million investment in nonprofits working with at-risk communities and the addition of six detectives to a Portland Police Bureau team investigating shootings, the council assented to Mayor Ted Wheeler’s proposal to form a dedicated police unit to proactively head-off violence as well.