03:13 PM PST on Monday, November 24, 2003

By ABE ESTIMADA, KELLY LOVE and ANTONIA GIEDWOYN, KGW Staff

The stuffed animal that has spurred some African-American club patrons to level allegations of racism against the Portland Police Bureau was taken from an intoxicated man and was not racially motivated, said the Portland police chief.

The toy gorilla that was hanging from a squad car grill early Nov. 18 was “drenched” and “wet” and was described as “smelling like vomit and urine,” said chief Derrick Foxworth on Monday afternoon.

What appears to be a stuffed gorilla toy is mounted on a police car in this photo by Calvin Washington. (Photo courtesy of Portland Tribune)

The officer intended to return the stuffed gorilla back to its owner, who lives in downtown Portland, when he was dispatched to a disturbance at Ringler’s restaurant, which was hosting a hip-hop dance popular with African-American clubgoers.

“We understand the concerns that people have about this incident, but the officers shared with me that there was no intent on their part, that they didn’t want to offend anyone,” Foxworth said. “It was not their intent to disrespect anyone, and certainly, it was not racially motivated on their part.”

Robert Fowlkes, the owner of the stuffed gorilla, holds the toy he calls "Monkey boy" in his lap. (KGW Photo)

It was at Ringler’s where patrons spotted the stuffed animal and told the officer they thought it was offensive and racist.

Beaverton resident Calvin Washington claims he took pictures of the stuffed animal with his cell phone camera. The photo shows the police car with its lights on and the gorilla stuffed behind the bumper guard.

Several witnesses said they also saw the gorilla hanging off the front of the vehicle. Witnesses declined to speak on camera to KGW for fear of retribution.

“The officer indicated that he tried to explain to the person there what had occurred previously, and that he was intending on taking the stuffed animal back to the owner’s residence,” Foxworth said.

After clearing the call at Ringler’s, the officer told Foxworth he took the stuffed animal to its owner.

The Portland police chief received a copy of the photo last weekend. The Independent Police Review board is looking at the incident, Foxworth said. The review board, based out of the city auditor’s office, handles complaints from citizens about police conduct.

Foxworth said police will talk to more witnesses and other officers who may have been at Ringler’s or who saw the intoxicated man who owned the stuffed animal.

“We’re still going to go forward with conducting an investigation,” he said.