Man who threatened 2 gets services with 68th conviction

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A homeless man who is one of Portland’s most frequently arrested people is getting a chance to get drug, alcohol and mental health treatment instead of prison time for convictions for threatening a woman and her minor son as they cowered in a locked car.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Brian Lankford was sentenced to three years of probation through the Multnomah County Justice Reinvestment Program, which also is geared to help him find stable housing.

Lankford has been arrested over 220 times in the past decade and as of Monday convicted 68 times for crimes including misdemeanor theft, trespassing, harassment, and other charges.

Lankford told The Oregonian/OregonLive last year that he uses methamphetamine, and it’s easy to feel hopeless.

A Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office spokesman says the district attorney’s office thought probation, treatment and help to find housing would be better at addressing Lankford’s problems. If Lankford fails to abide by the terms, he could go to prison.

AP Only 2019