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'We step over needles and people sleeping to get to work': Federal staff rage over homeless encampment outside their Portland office as 'defund the police' commissioner says it's just part of 'city's growth'
- Alexandra B. Ethridge and Dar Crammond, both employees of the U.S. Geological Survey, addressed the situation of Portland's housing crisis
- The federal workers told city commissioners they are fed up with the intolerable and dangerous conditions of the downtown Portland area
- They say a massive homeless camp has created safety concerns, cost the agency hundreds of thousands in security measures
- Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty responded to the comments, saying that the current housing crisis is part of the city's growth and 'changing systems'
- Hardesty spearheaded the 'defund police' movement in Portland
- The comments come just days after a new poll revealed that found the 88 percent of voters believe the quality of life in Portland is getting worse
- The number is up from 49 percent in 2017
- The poll highlighted three main issues of concern: crime, safety and the homeless crisis
- In 2021, Portland surpassed its all-time record for murders at 90 homicides, shattering the city's previous high of 66 set more than three decades ago
Posted by: Skidmark 2022-02-04 |
