The League of Oregon Cities has joined with police and prosecutors in calling on state lawmakers to re-criminalize drug possession when they convene in Salem starting in February.
Is homelessness in Portland worse than other cities? I don’t travel a lot bit have been to a few cities recently and Portland seemed to have way more camps than other cities, including Seattle where I did not see any large encampments. I’m sure they exist but, for example, I expected Pioneer Square Seattle to be a big camp but I didn’t see any tents there — just a lot of people hanging out in front of the train station. In Portland the camps were more visible and I wonder if it’s because of this law.
Decriminalization of drugs has nothing to do with where camps exist in Portland. PBOT is responsible for clearing camps throughout the city, and camps have to be reported for PBOT to know about them. When their crews get around to addressing them, they get about a week usually to pack up their things and move. To another place in the city.
Yes, you get a ticket instead of going to jail now. But a lot of cops don’t bother writing the ticket. Unlike in the 90s when you could get yourself a $900 ticket for having a couple grams of cannabis on your person, and people frequently did get those tickets.
They don’t bother because nothing happens if you ignore it. This is unlike Portugal where there are social consequences to ignoring treatment, although they are also starting to have a growing drug problem and funding issues.
Is homelessness in Portland worse than other cities? I don’t travel a lot bit have been to a few cities recently and Portland seemed to have way more camps than other cities, including Seattle where I did not see any large encampments. I’m sure they exist but, for example, I expected Pioneer Square Seattle to be a big camp but I didn’t see any tents there — just a lot of people hanging out in front of the train station. In Portland the camps were more visible and I wonder if it’s because of this law.
Decriminalization of drugs has nothing to do with where camps exist in Portland. PBOT is responsible for clearing camps throughout the city, and camps have to be reported for PBOT to know about them. When their crews get around to addressing them, they get about a week usually to pack up their things and move. To another place in the city.
@thisisawayoflife @kinttach
SEVENTY TWO HOURS to leave public space because homeless people don’t have the same US Constitution rights as you
@kinttach @thisisawayoflife
I don’t see #PDX or any city as being worse or better.
One homeless person is to many and people who always assume drugs are behind it, should stop.
There was a NY Times article that said things like, “Portland is a homeless drug addict’s slice of paradise.” So it seemed like it could be linked.
I agree that everyone deserves a safe and secure place to live.
Yes, you get a ticket instead of going to jail now. But a lot of cops don’t bother writing the ticket. Unlike in the 90s when you could get yourself a $900 ticket for having a couple grams of cannabis on your person, and people frequently did get those tickets.
They don’t bother because nothing happens if you ignore it. This is unlike Portugal where there are social consequences to ignoring treatment, although they are also starting to have a growing drug problem and funding issues.
@kinttach
NYT? Oh, sorry, you still believe in MSM