kgw.com | News for Oregon and SW Washington | Local News

Anybody see the loophole in the Oregon law? (Hint: intent)

kgw.com | News for Oregon and SW Washington | Local News: "aked man swims to Ross Island

04:15 PM PDT on Wednesday, August 10, 2005

By ANTONIA GIEDWOYN, kgw.com Staff

A naked man swimming in the Willamette River towards Ross Island Wednesday morning prompted a 9-1-1 call from an apparently alarmed onlooker, but the swimmer was allowed to continue.

The Willamette River runs through downtown Portland.

“It’s not a crime to be naked [in public],” said Sgt. Brian Schmautz with the Portland Police Bureau.

According to Oregon law, it’s not illegal to be naked anywhere in public unless the naked person has the intent to be sexually aroused.

The 9-1-1 call came in about 10:30 a.m. Police, fire and county officials were notified, Schmautz said.

The man was not expected to face any charges. "