EPD Chief Skinner says they chose loss of property over loss of life

Chief Skinner says they chose loss of property over loss of life

We have team coverage tonight.

We begin with kezi nine news reporter emma withrow... to tell us what police are doing now... to try to find those responsible.

Matt and renee.... i asked chief skinner how they are going to hold the rioters accountable -- and he said they have started a task force which will be closely analyzing video and first hand accounts of friday nights chaos.

In terms of how these damaged businesses are feeling.... they told me theyre extremely disappointed in the lack of police presence that night.

But when i asked chief skinner the burning question of where were they?

He said they held back on purpose and chose property damage over potential loss of life involved.

"chief skinner: i wish we could have done something a little bit differently to have prevented that.

But based on how quickly that escalated, that was really difficult."

"and that was a time where i was like, alright, i need an officer, and there were nowhere, nowhere to be seen.

And it's like, again, it's just alarming and scary.

And i get it's a scary situation, but like, isn't that what you're there for?"

Many employees i spoke with said when they arrived to their shops friday night it was a matter of protecting their livelihood and despite law enforcement leaving them out to dry.... they had to take a stand.

Live in eugene, emma withrow,