Business owners concerned about ‘outdoor drug use’ in downtown Portland

PORTLAND, Oregon (KPTV) – Local business owners in downtown Portland are concerned about a recent increase in drug dealing in front of their stores.

The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) told FOX 12 that they are aware of the problem and are doing everything possible to resolve it. However, the PPB said there is not much they can do until drugs are criminalized again on September 1.

“We're working on it,” said PPB Sergeant Jerry Coieta. “We arrested a person selling drugs this morning. We're trying.”

Crowds of people have been shuttled from the Safeway bottle collection point to the Central Library, Washington Center, and now Southwest 12th Street. Employees who work in the area reported seeing an increase in illegal drug activity. PPB calls it “open-air drug use.”

When it comes to solving Portland's drug problem, PPB says it's a much bigger problem than most people realize. Right now, police don't have the staff or authority to make a significant change.

SEE ALSO:

In recent weeks, business owners have expressed concern about the recent increase in drug activity, telling FOX 12 that it is hurting their businesses.

Ilya Afanassiev, the owner of Urban Creperie, has countless problems with people on the street. Just two weeks ago, he had an altercation with a suspected drug dealer after kicking someone off the front steps of his restaurant.

“I kicked him out and one of the drug dealers came at me screaming,” Afanassiev said. “I guess he was angry because I hit his regular customer. So he came at me and pulled his gun out of his little bag. He pointed a gun at me.”

Other people who work downtown have learned to coexist with this activity.

“Sometimes you go out and see people shooting up at the bus stop, but … it doesn't really bother me,” said Lulu Bond, who works at Saint Cupcake, just down the street from Urban Creperie. “Most of the time they're pretty nice.”

SEE ALSO:

While some Portland residents have learned to adapt, it's clear that many local businesses and workers are affected by crime in the city's downtown area.

“Over the past four years, 20 to 30 of my employees have quit their jobs because they didn’t feel safe here,” Afanassiev said.

Portland police remain optimistic, however. When drugs are re-criminalized in Oregon on Sept. 1, Cioeta said, the public should finally see improvements.

“I think we have a good plan for the future,” Cioeta said. “These plans will come into effect on September 1.”

PPB will further increase patrols in the area from SW 12th Street to SW 19th Street.

All rights reserved.