A Call to Action: Securing Livability and Safety in 2025
Your Voice Matters in Prioritizing Resources for Homelessness, Public Safety, and Accountability in a Time of Budget Deficits
As we enter 2025, we have some big decisions to make in a period of uncertainty. Both the County and City have large budget deficits, so prioritizing spending is critical. I have seen what a lack of clear focus on getting the unsheltered homeless off the street and not having adequate police and prosecutorial services looks like: increased camps, drug dealing and use, garbage and sanitation issues, vandalism and crime, and the feeling of a lack of community security, livability, and business success.
The impacts of these negative outcomes rest on government officials at the City, County and State. Going back to what hasn't worked isn't an option, i.e., spending over $1 billion on homelessness and services with little results to show, cutting police budgets, and not enforcing the laws, which resulted in increased homelessness, drug use, and crime.
In times of budget cuts, it's easy to say, "It's about shared sacrifice." No, it's not. It's about prioritizing resources to do what is strategically right, measured in outcomes, and where accountability matters.
I think it's time to focus on a few priorities at the City and County. The community’s VOICE needs to be heard at budget meetings, in the press, and in advocacy for a well-thought-out plan.
That plan includes a few key fundamental principles, including:
1. The County having an intake process that gets all unsheltered homeless off the street into shelters and services and aligns with Mayor Wilson's plan to end homelessness.
2. An increase in holistic services that deal with substance abuse and mental health issues.
3. Increased funding for public safety in police, jail capacity, and support services. As the lowest police budget as a percent of the budget, Portland can't afford to go backward; the consequences are devastating.
4. A judicial and legislative strategy to hold offenders accountable, remove barriers, and create pathways to improving lives. We need to enforce no camping laws and laws that limit our ability to do so, just like we did on drugs by repealing Measure 110, increasing law enforcement and public defenders in the DA's office, and ensuring adequate jail capacity for offenders
This is a call to action. We understand that the Pearl District community's goals are safety, livability, business success, and being a destination for visitors—by meeting these standards while leveraging our arts and educational resources.
Your voice needs to be heard NOW to enforce Pearl's community's goals, and you must join us in communicating these four principles.
Right now, principle number 3 requires supporting our police and increasing their budget. Seattle and San Francisco are doing just that during a period of deficits. We can, too.
Thanks, and let's get this done.
Ken Thrasher
Pearl Community Member & NWCC Board Chair
Actions Steps:
Connect with Chase if you have questions or want more information at chase@nwccpdx.org.
As the City’s budget process progresses, community input will be invited. Learn more about these opportunities at https://www.portland.gov/budget/join.
District 4: Budget Introduction Meeting
Join District 4 Coalition to learn about the City budget!
January 27, 2025, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm / 434 NW 6th Ave. Suite 202
Connect with District 4 City Council Members:
Discover how NWCC is championing the Pearl District—explore the latest updates and stories on our News page!
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