The Wall Street Journal reports that residents of Portland, Oregon are fleeing in large numbers due to crime concerns.
The WSJ reported that Portland lost 3% its population between 2020 and 2022. This was largely because of an increase in crime and homelessness. Portland has been struggling to reduce its homicides ever since 2020 when it defunded parts of its police force. Homicides reached 92 in the year 2021, and 101 in the year 2022, making 2022 Portland’s deadliest in history.
Portland was once one of the most safest U.S. cities, with an average of 21 homicides per year from 2000-2019, according to the WSJ. However, COVID-19 along with anti police protests and subsequent budget cuts to the police force changed the trajectory.
Terri Wallo Strauss said that budget cuts temporarily put the hiring of police officers on hold in Portland. She spoke to The Daily Caller News Foundation as a representative of Portland Police Bureau. She said that they have lost 275 sworn officers since 2020 and are now at their lowest level of sworn officers in history.
Strauss said to the DCNF that “we know our community wants more police presence and response. This is not what our community expects, and we’re trying our best using the resources we already have as efficiently as we can.”
The WSJ reported that Portland’s population decline is the sixth largest among 50 of the country’s largest cities. This equates to a loss over 17,000 people. The decline in Portland’s population is also due to political unrest among those on the left after the push to defund police led to disbanding of a team that was meant to combat gang violence and firearm violence.
Police presence in Portland decreased significantly after the “defunding the police” campaign. According to a Portland police officer, the WSJ reported that “police are incredibly hesitant” to take any proactive measures because they either have a complaint against them or each stop results in a fight.
“It created an atmosphere of lawlessness,” said Lionel Irving who runs a Portland-based nonprofit that focuses on reducing violent crime.
Measure 110 was passed by Portland voters, who also voted to legalize possession of the majority of drugs. This led to a rise in public drug consumption and intoxication. DHM Research reported that a survey conducted after legalization showed 63% of Oregon residents supported the return of criminal penalties to those who use drugs. 51% said Measure 1110 is bad for Oregon.
Portland’s population increased by 23% between 2000 and 2020. This sudden drop reverses decades of growth. A representative of Democratic Mayor Ted Wheeler told the WSJ that the top priorities for Mayor Wheeler are to address the homeless crisis, reduce gun violence, improve livability and strengthen our economy.
Craig Bachman, a Portland-based former resident, moved out of the city after an influx RVs lined up his street. His truck was repeatedly broken into and he witnessed an overdose taking place in a yard nearby, according to WSJ. He was a Portlander since 1997.
Wheeler’s Office did not respond immediately to the Daily Caller News Foundation request for comment.
