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PORTLAND citizens are increasingly fearful of being attacked due to rising insecurity. Several people, consulted by Fox News, explained that they are taking measures to avoid becoming victims of crime, which is on the rise.
“I’m worried about being physically attacked. It’s not safe. It’s just flat not safe,” a woman identified as Brenda told the media outlet.
Last month a survey, conducted in June and commissioned by the city’s Democratic mayor, came out showing that 59% of Portlanders have a negative impression of downtown. They highlighted increasing problems including homelessness, litter, vandalism and private property crime.
“Nearly half — 48% — do not feel safe walking alone at night. Of those who feel unsafe, 78% fear being physically assaulted, 71% fear being confronted by people with mental health and drug issues, and 62% fear gun violence,” detailed the survey conducted by DHM Research and published by the Portland Tribune.
Confidence in Portland police
The political director of DHM Research, John Horvick, emphasized that taking these results into account will be helpful in making decisions that benefit society: “Measuring the extent of the concerns is important for public policy decisions. The percent of people who do not feel safe in their own neighborhoods is significant.”
The survey further indicated that “although an overwhelming majority of Portlanders are willing to call the police if they witness a crime, they do not expect a prompt response. That is also especially true among people living on the east side, who are more likely to believe services are not evenly distributed across the city.”
Williams Perdomo es periodista y escritor, especializado en las fuentes Política y Cultura.