Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez previewed the “push-pull” effort he expects will bring a trickle of criminal cases to prosecutors’ desks as Portland’s camping ban takes effect Saturday.

“We give a little bit of a push, and then put out a hand to pull them, to help them,” Vasquez told reporters Friday. “It’s time that we start expecting and demanding some accountability with our compassion, and it’s time to help people get to a better place.”

This is hardly the first time Portland officials have talked about ramping up enforcement of camping rules.

The Portland City Council passed a “time, place and manner” camping ordinance in 2023, but a judge blocked the city from enforcing the rule.

A replacement rule was crafted and added to the City Code last year, but i

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