From Newsgroup: alt.law-enforcement

from https://www.koin.com/news/portland/police-acknowledge-increase-in-reported-crime-in-the-pearl-district-amid-concerns/

Police acknowledge rCyincrease in reported crime in the Pearl DistrictrCO
amid concerns
by: Anthony Kustura

Posted: Jun 22, 2026 / 09:11 PM PDT
Updated: Jun 22, 2026 / 10:33 PM PDT

Future of Northwest Northrup shelter remains uncertain

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) rCo Portland police are acknowledging an increase in reported crime in the Pearl District, as debate continues over
homelessness, shelter operations and public safety in Northwest Portland.

rCLWell, there has been an increase in reported crime in the Pearl
District, so werCOre not going to deny that or shy away from it,rCY Portland Police Chief Bob Day said.

The discussion came during a Pearl District town hall, held at The
Armory in Northwest Portland, attended by city and county leaders Monday night.

Neighbors raised concerns about safety and livability.

The meeting also unfolded as the future of the contentious Northwest
Northrup shelter remains unclear.

The city confirmed to KOIN 6 News it paid a $108,000 early termination
penalty tied to the shelterrCOs lease.

An amended agreement allows the site to continue operating through the
end of the year without additional rent, though officials say it is
unlikely to stay open that long due to budget constraints.

Waitlist deadline looms for PortlandrCOs free AC units
A Pearl District safety meeting town hall was held at The Armory in
Northwest Portland on June 22, 2026 (KOIN).

A Pearl District safety meeting town hall was held at The Armory in
Northwest Portland on June 22, 2026 (KOIN).
For neighbors, concerns focused on what they described as ongoing issues
tied to open drug use, camping, and street disorder.

rCLThere have been a lot of threatening situations with people that come through,rCY said neighborhood advocate Val Aitchison.

Aitchison is collecting signatures for a ballot initiative that would
redirect a portion of Portland Clean Energy Fund dollars toward hiring additional police officers.

The rCLSafer PortlandrCY campaign says the Portland Police Bureau would need more than 400 additional officers to reach targeted staffing levels.

Organizers are working to qualify the measure for the November ballot
ahead of a July 6 deadline.

Neighborhood leaders say they are also taking action locally.

rCLYou cannot wait for the city to do it,rCY said Pearl District
Neighborhood Association President Bruce Studer.

Police Chief Bob Day said officers are responding to increased calls for service in the area but stressed that residents should continue
reporting incidents, even when response times lag.

He said the information helps police track trends and guide staffing and resource decisions.

The city says there is no final closure date set for the Northrup shelter.

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