A black Oregon state representative says one of her constituents called police on her Tuesday while she was canvassing alone in a neighborhood she represents.
OregonLive.com reports that Rep. Janelle Bynum, who was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2016, was knocking on the doors of her constituents for hours when she noticed a deputy in his patrol car. After introducing her as the state legislator, the deputy told her that someone thought she was casing the neighborhood because she was walking and talking on her phone.
“It was just bizarre,” Bynum told The Oregonian/OregonLive. “It boils down to people not knowing their neighbors and people having a sense of fear in their neighborhoods, which is kind of my job to help eradicate. But at the end of the day, it’s important for people to feel like they can talk to each other to help minimize misunderstandings.”
“I hope everyone gets a good look at my face, because I’m coming to your door,” she said.
According to Oregon Live, Bynum’s represents House District 51, which includes east Portland, Gresham, Boring, North Clackamas, Damascus and Happy Valley, where she lives.