Portland Community College issues third safety warning after repeated reports of harassment near Southeast bus stops

Third warning in less than three weeks

Portland Community College has issued a third safety warning tied to reports of a man repeatedly approaching students and other community members near the college’s Southeast Campus area. The most recent report cited by the college occurred on Wednesday evening, Feb. 11, near the bus stop at Southeast 82nd Avenue and Southeast Division Street, across from the campus.

The college’s warning described a pattern of behavior that has included unwanted contact, unsolicited sexual comments, and attempts to corner individuals near bus stops. PCC said it believes the same person may be involved across multiple reports and that the individual may be a student who has previously been trespassed from campus.

What is known about the earlier incidents

The warning on Feb. 16 follows earlier campus notifications on Feb. 2 and Jan. 28. In one earlier report that PCC circulated to its community, the college said public safety officers received a complaint that a man approached a woman around 4 p.m. at the bus stop at 82nd Avenue and Division Street, touched her inappropriately, and pushed her before leaving the area after being confronted.

PCC’s latest public description of the suspect identifies him as a Black adult man. Clothing details provided by the college include a black jacket and black pants, with tan boots and a green baseball-style hat.

How campus warnings work and what PCC is advising

Public safety alerts and timely warnings are a standard tool used by colleges to quickly notify students and employees about potential threats and to encourage precautionary steps. At PCC, the public safety department manages emergency notifications and timely warnings and encourages community members to sign up for text alerts.

In its latest message, the college urged people in the area to stay aware of their surroundings, avoid isolated places when possible, and report suspicious or concerning behavior to public safety. The college also asked anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact law enforcement.

What students and staff can do now

• Use well-lit routes and travel with others when possible, particularly near transit stops.
• Call 911 for emergencies or if a crime appears to be in progress.
• Report concerning behavior promptly to PCC Public Safety for follow-up and documentation.
• If you have information related to the reported incidents, contact police to support investigative efforts.

PCC’s public safety warnings emphasize quick reporting and situational awareness as the investigation continues.

As of Feb. 16, PCC has not announced an arrest connected to the reported incidents near Southeast 82nd Avenue and Southeast Division Street.