PORTLAND, OR—Charmed by how remarkably cruel everyone was, visiting friend Kaitlyn Hickman told reporters Tuesday that she was pleasantly surprised by Portland’s open hostility toward homeless people. “I was really concerned before coming here that people were going to try to extend aid to those without shelter, but…
This is not the take I see in Portland.
Many people are quiet or polite to the homeless. Some even bravely help. There’s actual resources that go out that provide help, from public programs that provide coffee and mental support, to religious programs that offer hot food and clean supplies. A week ago, some homeless person was having a mental breakdown, and the crowd quietly watched and he relaxed.
Go to Seattle, and I see Seattleites raging against some guy sleeping on a bench. Go to NY and they get chased out of public streets. Philly have cops arresting them. Miami literally has people applauding when some homeless person gets assaulted.
PDX isn’t perfect. No city is. But they treat people like people.
PDX elected Ted Wheeler, Mingus Mapps, and Rene Gonzalez.