Safety in Portland: Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that visitors have questions about what’s going on in Portland; we have answers.
Portland –like many cities– is navigating a host of complex issues, but remains a safe place to visit. Read on for detailed answers surrounding safety and the visitor experience.
Is It Safe in Portland? Answers to Your Questions
Is Portland, Oregon, safe to visit?
What is Portland’s approach to improving public safety?
Has Portland defunded the police?
How well is Portland Police Bureau staffed?
Is the Portland Police Bureau able to recruit officers?
How is the police presence on the ground in Portland?
Do Portland Police Bureau officers wear body cameras?
What is being done about gun violence in Portland?
Focused Intervention Team (FIT): This voluntary task force of officers is dedicated to working with the community to ease tensions that lead to gun violence. The team of 12 officers and two sergeants completed 65 hours of specialized training before mobilizing. FIT is held accountable by the FIT Community Oversight Group (FITCOG) of local residents.
Portland Ceasefire: On June 1, 2023, the City of Portland announced a partnership with the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR) in a new initiative to reduce gun violence: Portland Ceasefire. NICJR provides a framework for a collaborative effort to engage those at high risk of gun violence. Partners include the city’s Community Safety Division, Office of Violence Prevention, Portland Police Bureau, city leaders and community groups.
Gun Violence Reduction Grants: Each spring, the Office of Violence Prevention awards gun violence reduction grants to community organizations for their work to “provide intervention case management, flexible funds for wraparound support, aftercare support funds for families of victims, and capacity building in small contractors to provide services.” For 2023–24, $950,000 will be distributed — $750,000 in large grants and $200,000 in small grants.
Portland Street Response: This program is accessed via 911 and dispatches mental health experts and paramedics, rather than law enforcement, for people in crisis. Portland Street Response covers the entire 145 square miles of the city and answers calls from 8 a.m.–10 p.m. every day of the week.
Budget Priorities: Portland’s 2023–24 fiscal year budget continues to focus on priority areas of homelessness and community safety, and it emphasizes economic recovery and livability.
Safe Streets Task Force: The Safe Streets Task Force is a voluntary agreement between the Portland Police Bureau, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office and the Gresham Police Department with the U.S. Department of Justice (including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives) to deputize certain local law enforcement officers to focus exclusively on investigating gun violence and crimes involving firearms.
Are crimes involving cars, such as theft, prevalent in Portland?
The Portland Police Bureau also offers tips to prevent theft, including not leaving a vehicle idling, removing any valuables, locking doors, closing windows, parking in a secure lot (or in a well-lit lot or driveway), and parking in well-traveled areas with visibility to passersby. The bureau’s online dashboard includes top targeted makes — Ford, Kia, Subaru, Honda and Hyundai — as well as models and neighborhoods.
To report theft from or of a vehicle, call the non-emergency dispatch at 503-823-3333.
What is being done about homelessness in Portland?
The Joint Office of Homeless Services: This partnership between Multnomah County and the City of Portland works to house, shelter, and provide health care, employment assistance and case management to people experiencing homelessness. In fiscal year 2023, the partnership rehoused 806 households, provided emergency rent assistance to 2,067 households to prevent homelessness, and achieved a 99% retention rate for people who moved into permanent supportive housing and remained housed for two years.
Safe Rest Villages: The City of Portland has opened five of six Safe Rest Villages (SRV), made possible through funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). SRVs “are alternative shelters that serve as an improved point of entry for Portlanders on the continuum from living on the streets to finding stability in permanent housing. … All Safe Rest Villages include case management with wraparound behavioral and mental health services.” SRVs have opened in neighborhoods around the city, and the last SRV site on NW Naito Parkway is in development. Additionally, two culturally specific alternative shelters are open and supported by city ARPA funding: the BIPOC Village and Queer Affinity Village.
Sanctioned Campsites: In accordance with resolutions passed by the Portland City Council in late 2022 to phase out unsanctioned camping, the city opened its first Temporary Alternative Shelter Site (TASS) in inner Southeast Portland in July 2023 and had 180 guests by October. A second sitehas been identified in North Portland. Space is available on referral basis and complements the existing shelter system with a low-barrier option.
Street Outreach Request Program: In February 2024, Portland began using the 311 helpline for its new Street Outreach Request Program. People who are unsheltered and ready to accept assistance in navigating how to address their needs can use the number to request contact from an outreach worker.
What is the mayor’s plan for addressing homelessness?
1. Establish key actions to increase affordable housing construction to reduce the 5-year average waiting lists to get into affordable housing by catalyzing the construction of 20,000 units of housing by 2033.
2. Assess options to increase coordination and enhance unhoused access to paid nonstandard work so that more people can successfully participate in, benefit from, and advance in the labor market.
3. Connect mental health and substance abuse recovery services to unhoused individuals through designated alternative locations (e.g., Safe Rest Villages, Temporary Alternative Shelter Sites).
4. Create a diversion program for individuals who may be experiencing homelessness, mental health issues and/or substance abuse issues, offering people cited for low-level offenses more opportunities to address pending legal issues and related collateral consequences outside of the criminal legal system.
5. Set City budget priorities to implement affordable housing, connect homeless
individuals with sanitary, mental health and substance abuse recovery services and request assistance from County, Metro, State and Federal partners.
On June 7, 2023, the Portland City Council took additional steps to contain homeless encampments, approving a Time, Place, Manner Ordinance banning camping on public property between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and placing greater limitations on overnight camping activities. Violators can face up to $100 in fines or up to 30 days in jail, however enforcement is on hold due to a preliminary injunction issued by the Multnomah County Circuit Court.
How does Martin v. Boise affect the mayor’s plan?
Mental illness appears to be an issue on Portland streets; what is being done?
What is being done about trash on Portland streets and sidewalks?
Homelessness and Urban Camping Impact Reduction Program: This program dispatches work teams, in response to community reports, to campsites across Portland. Teams work collaboratively with unhoused people to respect personal belongings while removing trash such as old household items, food waste, discarded furniture, drug paraphernalia and more. From July 1, 2023–Jan. 15, 2024, the program collected 5.1 million pounds of garbage.
Trash For Peace: This program pays people experiencing homelessness $20 an hour to pick up trash in Portland. Each week, through its Ground Score Association litter collection program, the organization collects 10,000 pounds of trash each week, and it provides 150 community members with low-barrier jobs in waste prevention, recycling and environmental conservation.
Downtown Portland Clean & Safe: This organization provides neighborhood improvement services, such as cleaning and security, within a core 213-block area of the city. In January 2024 alone, the team’s janitorial programremoved 4,521 biohazards, 1,573 graffiti tags, 4,167 bags of trash and 3,910 needles.
SOLVE: SOLVE mobilizes community volunteers in clean-up events around the state, and in nine Portland business districts, 668 volunteers picked up 3,290 pounds of trash in 2023.
90-Day Resets: The city is working in cooperation with businesses in targeted neighborhoods to address livability and safety issues by devoting resources to cleaning, graffiti removal and increased lighting. The initiative has been tested in Old Town and Central Eastside districts, and the model will be deployed to other areas around the city.
Clean Start: Central City Concern operates a homeless-to-work program that provides trash removal and cleaning services in the metro area. In September, Multnomah County approved a $1.5 million allocation to expand the program.
Union Pacific Partnership: Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has partnered with the CEO of Union Pacific to prioritize and accelerate trash and graffiti removal along the railroad’s rights of way.
Legislative Funds: In its short 2024 session, the Oregon Legislature approved $20 million in clean-up funds for the Oregon Department of Transportation to address graffiti, camp and trash cleanups along Portland freeways, as well as invest in prevention measures, with work beginning in March 2024.
Is public transportation, like MAX light rail and the Portland Streetcar, safe?
What specifically is being done to ensure safety on public transportation?
Is open drug use legal in Portland and Oregon?
Measure 110 has been controversial, in part because those addiction treatment services have not come online quickly enough to meet the level of need and demand in the community. In light of growing issues around drug addiction, the Oregon Legislature approved House Bill 4002 in its short 2024 session, and the bill is expected to be signed by the governor. The bill reintroduces criminal penalties (effective Sept. 1, 2024) for possession and empowers law enforcement to seize drugs and address public use. Avenues remain for violators to avoid incarceration by seeking addiction treatment, and the funding mechanism for treatment centers remains in place to allow the state to build capacity in this critical area.
What is being done about open drug use in Portland?
This collaborative action follows strategic enforcement and disruption strategies that Oregon’s governor introduced statewide last fall to address the fentanyl issue and provide significant immediate impact. At the time, she authorized the deployment of state troopers to downtown Portland to partner with the Portland Police Bureau in patrolling, tracking dealers and prosecuting individuals.
Earlier, in June 2023, the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 2645 to establish criminal penalties for possession of a gram or more of fentanyl, with a potential fine of up to $6,250 or up to 364 days in jail, or both; the City of Portland is intent on effectively enforcing the new law. Additionally, city commissioners passed a public drug consumption ordinance in September 2023 — penalizing violators with six months in jail or a $500 fine — which could go into effect with the March 2024 approval of HB 4002.
What additional safety measures are being taken in areas that cater to visitors, such as hotel districts?
What if a visitor witnesses or needs to report a crime?
Anyone experiencing or witnessing an emergency should dial 911. The emergency line reaches police, fire and ambulance services as well as Portland Street Response, which sends unarmed responders to assist people experiencing mental health and/or behavioral health crises.
For non-emergency dispatch of first responders, the number to call is 503-823-3333. This number is for situations that are not an immediate threat to life or property, such as for reporting a stolen vehicle.
Portland also has a 311 number for non-emergency situations that do not require first responders. The number may be used for reporting — such as a campsite, a stolen bike, overflowing trash, noise complaints or debris in the roadway — or to get help with concerns. It is also now used for the unsheltered population to engage with a street outreach worker.
Finally, Downtown Portland Clean & Safe can be contacted at 503-388-3888 for security and cleaning concerns in a 213-block area in the heart of downtown Portland.
Portland Public Safety Resources
Our round-up of Portland public safety resources will help you stay informed and safe in case of extreme weather and other incidents.
- PublicAlerts
Real-time public safety information, including alerts and service disruptions involving roads and bridges, transit, public health from 60+ local agencies. - TripCheck
The latest traffic and road conditions, plus live road cams, from the Oregon Department of Transportation. - Local News
Winter Weather Resources
Winters in Portland are generally mild; snow and ice are relatively rare, and the city tends to react conservatively to such conditions. This means that many businesses close when snow appears in the forecast. (The humorous Is It Snowing in PDX? web page displays a “Commence panic!” notice when the flakes fly.)
Panic is not necessary, but you should check the news sites above and the links below before heading out or making plans on a potentially snowy or icy day in Portland.
- Public Transportation
- Service alerts : The latest updates on detours, delays and cancellations.
- Winter Weather Tips: How to ride the bus or MAX light rail train when it’s snowy or icy.
- Portland International Airport
- PDX arrivals and departures
- @flypdx on X/Twitter
- More Resources
- National Weather Service Portland office
- Winter Travel Tips – Oregon Department of Transportation
Portland Wildfire Information
With changing weather patterns, prolonged drought and hotter heatwaves, Oregon has endured an increase in wildfires in recent years. The summer months into early fall offer more chances of wildfire danger due to decreased rainfall in the region. This page offers trusted resources to check for wildfire statuses in and around Portland.
Use the list below to find current wildfire conditions. If you think wildfires might impact a place you’re hoping to visit, it’s a good idea to check directly.
- Bureau of Land Management
Current access statuses of BLM-managed public lands, roads, sites and trails in Oregon and Washington. - Oregon State Parks
In the summer months and dry season, campfire restrictions and fire bans may be in place at state parks, campgrounds, day-use areas and beaches. - RAPTOR
This real-time map shows current, active fires in the state. - U.S. Forest Service
Trail closures may occur due to active fires, proximity to active fires, recent fire damage and restoration projects. - Additional Resources
- Oregon Wildfire Resources – State of Oregon
- TripCheck – Oregon Department of Transportation
- Wildfires and Smoke – Oregon Health Authority
- Air Quality Index – Oregon Smoke Information
- Wildfires – PublicAlerts
- What You Need to Know About Wildfires – Travel Oregon
- Wildfire Information – Washington State Department of Natural Resources
More Resources
Learn more about Portland and plan your next visit.
Homelessness in Portland
Homelessness is a real and visible problem in Portland. Learn about the causes, responses and what’s being done to help.
Accessible Portland
Discover wheelchair-accessible and sensory-friendly attractions and activities in Portland, Oregon.
Resources for International Visitors
From currency exchange to where to do laundry, these helpful resources help international visitors explore Portland in comfort.
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