Portlanders urge city leaders to take action to lower crime

PORTLAND, Ore. — Another deadly weekend in Portland.

Between shootings, stabbings, and serial property crimes, police have had their hands full.

And what many community members are saying needs to change is city leadership.

"Our leadership is costing city revenue, costing the city notoriety, is costing us all the things that make Portland Portland," said Royal Harris, a community strategist.

And neighbors who live around Portland feel the same way.

"It’s the government that’s an issue," said Donna Trilli, a neighbor.

"What am I paying taxes for?" said Erin Jones, a neighbor.

Portlanders told KATU they are seeing more crime in the city in general.

"It’s not the same Portland I remember," Jones said, "it’s scary. It’s scary to be here. Trying to raise kids and just get by when you never know what’s going to happen and if you can’t call 911 and actually get somebody on the line or actually get help from somebody. That’s slightly terrifying."

"3 o’clock in the morning a couple nights ago a house that was for sale got burglarized," said Dennis Breslin, a neighbor.

KATU talked to Portland police this weekend, "I think any of us that live here, that work here, that love Portland, this is unacceptable. This is not the Portland that we want or know," said Sgt. Kevin Allen with the Portland Police Bureau.

City leaders said they are addressing crime and other issues.

Including trying to reduce 911 wait times, ramping up sweeps of homeless camps, and hiring new police officers.

"The biggest thing is they have to come up with a strategy to address homelessness," said Harris, "we have to make some real tough decisions about what law and order looks like in our city right now."

"We all know that we have a limited number of officers, so we have to deploy them as best we can to the areas that are in most need," said Allen.