Portland Man Arrested for Intentionally Setting Fire to Homeless Camp

JAROMIR CHALABALA / EYEEM / GETTY IMAGES

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A Portland man has been arrested for intentionally setting fire to a homeless man's property.

Roy Elworthy, 44, allegedly entered a homeless encampment on a lot near SE 136th and Powell on August 15, and set fire to a wooden storage container outside of Darrel Pattum's tent. The fire destroyed both the container and tent, which contained Pattum's personal belongings.

The alleged arson was captured on security camera and witnessed by several other homeless campers.

According to a press release by Portland Fire & Rescue, an unidentified man had approached the camp earlier that day and told the campers that "if they did not move, he would set their things on fire."

Elworthy was arrested on August 26 and charged with "Reckless Burning,” a misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail. In an interview with law enforcement after his arrest, Elworthy "expressed his frustration about the police enforcing laws against homeless people."

Elworthy remains in the Multnomah County Jail with a $2,500 bail. His first court appearance will be on October 4 at 9 am.

While it appears Pattum was targeted by Elworthy because he was homeless, this case will not be investigated as a bias crime. That's because in Oregon, targeted crimes against homeless people are not considered hate crimes.

It's not for lack of trying. In 2011, Oregon Sen. Michael Denbrow introduced a bill that would have expanded the state's bias crime statute to include acts committed because of perception that victim is homeless. It fizzled out in the House Judiciary Committee. During the latest state legislative session, houseless advocates pressed Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum to include protections for homeless Oregonians in her newly-expanded hate crime bill. She didn't.

Florida, Maryland, Maine and Washington, D.C. all have laws that make attacks on homeless people a hate crime.