Eugene, OR. — Official Release: At 8:01 a.m. on September 28, a Eugene Police officer responded to assist City Park Ambassadors working to clean up a camp along the river near Eugene City Hall. The officer spotted what looked like a floating vessel made using a box spring, a wood pallet, and several pieces of Styrofoam secured with chicken wire. The boat’s 57-year-old male occupant, Patrick David Jackson, had also fashioned an anchor out of a rope and plastic bags filled with rocks.
He was anchored several feet off of the bank and it appears he had slept overnight afloat. He had been contacted the day before camping by the river and warned to clean the camp and leave. However, he constructed a raft out of items in his camp.
On September 28, two officers communicated to the man that he must come ashore, but he refused and was uncooperative. The officers were able to drag the vessel to dry land using a pitchfork and Jackson was taken into custody safely.
He was transported to Lane County Jail where he was lodged on charges of Possess Methamphetamine Drug Enforcement Misdemeanor, and Obstruction of Governmental Administration. He was also cited for Violation of Park Rules. Case 25-15750
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