Moderated by Adam Davis, Oregon Humanities

With Panelists:

Stephanie Howard, Office of Mayor Ted Wheeler

Julian Massenburg, Portland Community Safety Division

Jacob Brostoff, Office of Civic and Community Life

Nathan Vasquez, Multnomah County District Attorney Office

After years of declining crime rates, Portland and cities across the U.S. are now suffering from an enduring wave of violence and property crime that began with the onset of the pandemic. The violence has disproportionately impacted BIPOC communities, further adding to the trauma and unequal damage done by COVID-19.

Meanwhile, persistent property crime–while in no way equivalent to violence–has burdened Portland’s small businesses with disruption and monetary loss. It adds fear and stress to the lives of staff and business owners as they work to serve their customers and provide employment for their communities. In some cases, it forces those businesses to close for good–robbing our city of its celebrated commercial diversity and economic opportunity.

Many of us recognize that we are not well-equipped to speak about crime and crime prevention, how to respond to its immediate impacts or address its root causes. We also recognize that the issue of rising crime has been exploited nationally and here at home to serve divisive political narratives and disparage our city. 

Therefore, BBPDX has convened this Community Safety Listening Session as an opportunity to learn from those who work directly with our communities to prevent crime and to heal the damage done. We do so knowing that no one answer or point-of-view will solve such a complex problem, but with open minds and hearts to those working every day to help.

We also believe that safe communities are the result of vibrant, economically healthy and diverse neighborhoods. Therefore, this discussion will be centered on how we, as small business owners, civic leaders and entrepreneurs, can work together on solutions and help bring peace back to Portland.