The city council of Portland, Oregon is considering Ordinance 151 introduced by Councilwoman Carole Griffith, which addresses loitering in such as sidewalks, parking lots, streets, and other places were people gather. The purpose of this ordinance is to keep city clean, safe, and available for all citizens. An additional purpose to this ordinance is that will relocate the homeless form public view. Before passing this ordinance many extensive polls and research took place in order to have input from a variety of citizens that could account for the population of Portland. The polls and research included personal interviews with randomly selected citizens. Also article sources that reported on this issue along with letters addressed to the editor
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One of these concerns is addressed in letters to the editor of the Portland Orient. Katy Chin a junior and English major feels like the ordinance has neglected safety, even though it claims safety as priority. Chin says she does not feel safe when walking at campus at night. Chin shares past experience “I’m scared to walk alone. Last year, when I was walking to my car from the library around 10:30, an older guy followed me for about three or four blocks, yelling insulting things. I don’t know whether this “gentleman” was homeless. I don’t think he could have done anything either, because he was so drunk that he could barely walk straight.” This indeed a scary scenario of loitering turned into lurking poses a threat to civilians but this brings a question of how to go about protecting citizens. Leaving public areas at night safely will take a lot of police officers to fulfill this need and can this need ever be completely satisfied all …show more content…
White stays at a park closes to campus with his dog Boss and he is also acquainted with Mr. X. Mr. White is still contact with his family and they offer support. When the interview asked White about his thoughts on Ordinance 151 he speculated “You mean, am I surprised by it? Or do I think it’s going to do any good? I think it’s a load of crap, mostly… It’s just going to make it easier for the cops to arrest guys when they want to.” White thinks that this ordinance will give the police too much power which will lead to the abuse of power. This is great concern whenever a new regulation is put into
One of these concerns is addressed in letters to the editor of the Portland Orient. Katy Chin a junior and English major feels like the ordinance has neglected safety, even though it claims safety as priority. Chin says she does not feel safe when walking at campus at night. Chin shares past experience “I’m scared to walk alone. Last year, when I was walking to my car from the library around 10:30, an older guy followed me for about three or four blocks, yelling insulting things. I don’t know whether this “gentleman” was homeless. I don’t think he could have done anything either, because he was so drunk that he could barely walk straight.” This indeed a scary scenario of loitering turned into lurking poses a threat to civilians but this brings a question of how to go about protecting citizens. Leaving public areas at night safely will take a lot of police officers to fulfill this need and can this need ever be completely satisfied all …show more content…
White stays at a park closes to campus with his dog Boss and he is also acquainted with Mr. X. Mr. White is still contact with his family and they offer support. When the interview asked White about his thoughts on Ordinance 151 he speculated “You mean, am I surprised by it? Or do I think it’s going to do any good? I think it’s a load of crap, mostly… It’s just going to make it easier for the cops to arrest guys when they want to.” White thinks that this ordinance will give the police too much power which will lead to the abuse of power. This is great concern whenever a new regulation is put into