The Oregonian Weighs in on Public Safety

Did you read the Oregonian Editorial Board this weekend? It was a strong affirmation of our values and priorities as we enter the final round of budget amendments and votes between now and June 11th.  

Link: A $1.9 million budget shift that Portland can’t afford | The Oregonian Editorial Board  

“Portland’s revitalization—necessary for generating the revenue needed for parks, roads, fire and so many other public services—depends on re-establishing the safety and stability that encourage businesses, residents and visitors to bet on Portland... Entrepreneurs don’t open businesses in locations where their shops are targeted for break-ins or vandalism. People don’t work or visit downtown if corners are taken over by drug dealing. Commuters don’t ride public transit if they fear being victimized. But all of these, in varying levels of frequency and severity, are part of Portland’s reality.” 

Portland’s budget is like a woven fabric. We must be thoughtful about the threads we pull, especially as we begin the next phase of my plan to end unsheltered homelessness and spark economic revitalization in Portland. 

For example, if we don’t fund the 10 outreach workers I’ve requested, we’ll put more pressure on our law enforcement first responders while limiting our tools for getting folks off the streets and into lifesaving shelter, and a path to housing. If we pull funding from our Impact Reduction Program, we’ll have to make tough choices about illegal dumping, graffiti, and hazardous campsite removal.  

The risks of pulling the wrong thread could impact housing, too. If we don’t begin office-to-residential conversions, we may be left out of federal grant opportunities and slow our efforts to revitalize our urban core. If we don’t pilot a promising housing access program, we’ll lose the chance to get folks living on Social Security and disability insurance into affordable/deeply affordable housing.  

I’ll leave you with the final quote from the editorial: “Portland has turned the corner, but there’s a long way to go. Before passing the final budget, councilors should ensure there’s another $1.9 million for police to keep the momentum going.”  

Well put. Let’s keep the momentum going.