City Statement on April 28-29 Metropolis Event

A number of news sources have written stories this week about an incident that took place in Woodburn between April 28-29 in the downtown Metropolis Marketplace. In the interest of accuracy, the City would like the community to have factual information regarding the event.

• On April 28, officers discovered a funeral wake was occurring at a local business located at 347 North Front Street inside the Metropolis Marketplace and Event Venue.
• Officers made contact with the event organizers and followed guidance from the Governor’s Office and Oregon DOJ to first educate and inform the participants in an effort to gain voluntary compliance.
• After providing a warning and receiving agreement from the organizers that all activities would cease, the officers left the premises.
• On April 29, officers again responded to the location and found that the event was continuing in violation of what the organizers had agreed to the day before and the Woodburn Police Department shut down the event.
• State regulatory and law enforcement agencies (OLCC, OHA, and Oregon OHSA) were notified about what was observed on April 28 and 29.

“Upon review of these incidents, Woodburn Police Officers followed the state’s directives in handling both encounters falling outside of the Governor’s Executive Orders,” said Woodburn Police Chief Jim Ferraris.  

Because this matter remains active and subject to further legal proceedings, the City will have no further comment on this matter.

“The City of Woodburn is committed to protecting the safety and wellbeing of our community during the COVID-19 Pandemic and takes its responsibilities seriously, especially compliance with Governor Brown’s directives,” said Scott Derickson, City Administrator.

For information on proper social distancing and compliance with the Executive Order please click here.