I’m Lieutenant Nathan Shepard. Four or five years ago, I was out and about in my neighborhood and I had a run-in with a man who told me I stank. He called me the n-word several times and he made it very clear and known to me that I was not welcomed in that mostly white neighborhood. Look, bias crimes and bias incidents are on the rise, about 80 percent in Portland, and I believe it’s being underreported. And this is my ask of you: if you believe you’ve been the victim of a biased crime or a bias incident, please call us. And when the officer is there, let them know that you believe bias was a part of the crime. If there’s bias involved, there are other elements we have to prove. Because of some people’s past experiences with police, they may not want to call. And if you’re one of those people, I encourage you to call the Oregon Department of Justice bias hotline. Being the victim of a biased crime or bias incident can have profound and lasting effects. Portland Police Bureau wants to be part of the solution. This is important to me personally and to the police Bureau. Please make that call.