Security at Portland Timbers home games will not be receiving any assistance from the Portland Police in their efforts to eject fans carrying Iron Front symbols.
Major League Soccer’s attempt to ban what it sees as ‘political symbols’ as stadia has crystallized around the Iron Front symbol in particular.
There had been some twitter speculation on Monday morning as to the role the Portland Police Bureau had been or might be called upon to play in the increasingly terse stand off over the issue at the Oregon venue.
Sergeant Kevin Allen, of the Public Information Officer, Portland Police Bureau told Prost Amerika in an email:
“I have not heard of any cases where officers have been involved in arresting or ejecting attendees, particularly for sign policy violations.
“We defer to the private security manager.”
We made a follow up inquiry regarding what instructions Officers have been given if stadium security specifically requested assistance on ejections for this reason.
Sgt Allen’s response was less straightforward:
“I can’t speak to that hypothetical,” he added.
“It would depend on the specific circumstance.”
It makes sense to assume that is there was a secondary public order offence, eg inebriation, foul and abusive language or obstruction of gangways, the police would have a viable reason to become involved.
It also appears that, while not saying ‘never’, this is a political hot potato that Sgt Allen’s bosses seem unwilling to ask their employees to touch.
