Oregon Live

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office late Wednesday offered its first glimpse into Tuesday morning’s legal action at Portland’s “red house on Mississippi,” describing deputies breaking down fortifications, making arrests and finding weapons.

The deputies, with assistance from Portland Police Bureau officers, were accompanying contractors there to “re-secure” the property for its new owners.

The sheriff’s office acknowledged deputies needed to use force to enter the small, boarded-up house.

“Law enforcement has the authority to use reasonable force to serve a writ,” sheriff’s office communications director Chris Liedle said in an email to The Oregonian/OregonLive. “This includes forcing entry to a home or room that is locked or barricaded, which occurred [Tuesday]. The home was heavily fortified by the occupants inside.”

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