Blogtown, PDX

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Politics Mayor’s Office: No City Hall Sidewalk Sweep Today

Posted by Amy J. Ruiz on Tue, May 6 at 1:11 PM

I just spoke with Mayor Tom Potter’s spokesperson John Doussard, and asked him if the police plan to clear out the protest outside of city hall. “If there’s a sweep going on, I don’t know about and Tom Potter doesn’t know about it,” Doussard says.

Doussard also recapped yesterday’s meeting between the homeless protesters’ representatives, and Potter.

“They were in there for 45 minutes, they wanted to tell the mayor how they felt. It was a meeting for them to express their feelings and to hear from Tom directly. They talked about why they were out there. They were very strong in saying they wanted the camping ordinance repealed immediately. And they wanted the sidewalk obstruction ordinance repealed,” Doussard says. The protesters also asked for a “free zone where camping would be acceptable, where people could camp during the evening hours.”

“Tom listened, and told them quite clearly he wasn’t going to repeal the camping ordinance or the sit-lie ordinance,” Doussard says, adding that the ordinances “are a benefit to the community and [something] the the community wanted.”

Furthermore, the city views large camps as a place where people camping are further victimized. “Once you get past a certain critical mass, there’s drug dealing, violence, there’s been a couple of murders in the last couple of months. When the camps reach a certain size, the police move in.”

That said, Doussard points out that Central Precinct Commander Mike Reese has made it clear to the protesters that the police don’t break up every camp site. “You’re not going to be hassled if the camp is clean and it’s only a couple of folks and we haven’t gotten a complaint,” Doussard says.

I asked Doussard if Potter had indeed told the protesters that if the solutions he was offering—more shelter beds, rental vouchers—weren’t good enough, then he was “giving up.” (Media were barred from the meeting, but protester Larry Reynolds relayed that quote afterward.)

“I don’t think Tom Potter or the city ever feels that homeless problem is one you give up on,” says Doussard, pointing to the 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness as an example of the city’s commitment.

Also, a women’s shelter opened several days ago, and 90 beds from the Salvation Army will open later this week or early next, possibly with space for couples.

With the camping issue at the crux of the protest, and Potter refusing to budge on it, will the protest keep going—regardless of how much shelter space the city provides?

“I can’t speak for the protesters,” Doussard says, but adds that “we’re working with lots of folks. I think we’re making some headway.”

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Comments

Hmm. A cop apparently told people that there would be a sweep last night, too. I wounder if they're just trying to stir up a general atmosphere of fear.

Posted by Kyle Burris1 | May 6, 2008 3:02 PM

The recent comments on homelessness here on the Mercury blog have really been enlightening. Especially the heart warming remarks about how the homeless are dirty, disgusting people that should get off their lazy asses and get jobs. No kidding! I’m always so impressed by how many clean smelling Portlanders I encounter who immediately take responsibility for their actions and willingly suffer the consequences of their choices. Especially when nobody is looking – Portlanders always do the right thing. Portland is the city that WORKS, damn it! The homeless have been getting away with their slacking for too long – why should they have all the FUN? What have the homeless done to deserve the living the highlife?

I also was not aware how many Portlanders have first hand knowledge of homeless issues from the one time they worked in a soup kitchen, or gave a homeless person $2.00 that was used to buy drugs, or the countless hours they have spent researching such issues as poverty, mental illness, public policy, outdoor survival, workers rights, drug addiction, and philanthropy. My only regret is that these people have remained silent on these issues for so long. If they had only spoken up sooner – homelessness would be a thing of the past.

Thank you, Portland, for informing the rest of us about what a simple black-or-white issue homelessness is! I suspect a cure for cancer will also be coming soon from the humanitarian brain trust that is centered here in Portland.

Posted by Maggie | May 6, 2008 3:42 PM

While there are still a few rights left all brave Americans, maybe it's time for a refresher course on remembering those that pretain to due process, rights to assembly and free speech. The "get a job" mentality that persists among the grossly misinformed as the "solution" to homelessness is laughable. The basic human right to safely shelter oneself from the elements contunues to be lost on the "haves". The "have nots" are your former friends, neighbors and relatives that couldn't survive on minimum wage or without health care. Grow a heart Portland before a class action lawsuit makes you pay.

Posted by DA | May 7, 2008 1:44 PM

Posted by DA | May 7, 2008 1:45 PM