If you believed the national headlines, you’d think Portland, Oregon was a smoldering wasteland — graffiti on every wall, protestors roaming like a scene from Mad Max, and citizens dodging tear gas on their way to brunch. Spoiler alert: that’s nonsense. I live just eight miles south of downtown “war-ravaged” Portland, and let me correct the record — there’s no war, and there’s no ravaging. Unless you count the occasional pothole or a coffee shop running out of oat milk.
The city of Portland spans about 145 square miles. The “protest and war zone” stories come from one single city block, not even IN downtown but 2.3 miles south, the ICE building. A small group of protestors (many dressed in friendly animal costumes, bless them) have kept that block lively — but it’s hardly the apocalypse. Our local news stations run 24/7 live feeds so that the so-called leaders in Washington can watch for themselves, though apparently few of them do.
Meanwhile, real numbers tell a different story. In the first half of 2025, Portland saw significant decreases in violent crime — homicides down 51%, overall violent crime down 17%, and similar drops across assaults, robberies, and sexual assaults. Hardly the stuff of a “war zone.”
Violent crime statistics (January - June 2025):
- Overall: 17% decrease
- Homicides: 51% decrease (35 in 2024 → 17 in 2025)
- Aggravated assaults: 18% decrease
- Robberies: 10% decrease
- Sexual assault reports: 12% decrease
That’s progress — and it deserves more attention than fearmongering soundbites.
Which brings me to the biggest embarrassment: our own U.S. Labor Secretary, former Oregon congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer. She’s been loudly calling for federal intervention and even the federalization of the Oregon National Guard, as if Portland were under siege. This from someone who was once a small-town mayor, then a one-term Representative who didn’t even move into the district she represented. Maybe she’s confusing fiction with fact — or maybe it’s just easier to score political points by badmouthing your own backyard. Either way, shame on her. Oregon deserves better than exaggerated headlines and opportunistic storytelling.
Because here’s the truth: Portland isn’t “war-torn.” It’s quirky, imperfect, and recovered — just like any city that’s lived through tough 2020. You can still find kids playing in parks, food carts smelling like heaven, and the world’s friendliest dog walkers offering you directions to the nearest farmer’s market. If that’s a war zone, I’ll take it any day.
So no, Portland isn’t burning — it’s brewing. Coffee, ideas, and maybe a little irritation that the rest of the country keeps mistaking a block or two of weirdness for the whole city. I’ll take my Portland just as it is: a little scruffy, a lot sincere, and endlessly interesting. If that’s what passes for a war zone, send reinforcements — we’re running low on lattes.
From what I've seen in the last two weeks of Portland makes me want to move there. I like the quirkiness I'm seeing. ICE and Steven Miller's 3,000 per day deportation quote is the problem. You have a right to be super proud of Portland for the way they came up with the silly costumes and festival why of protesting. It makes those on the other side look foolish as all get out. Keeping protests peaceful is the best way to fight Trump's attempt to justify declaring Marshall Law which is long-range goal before the next presidential election.
ReplyDeleteWe do have a very involved community. And always with a bit of humor! Every little suburb seems to have fun with all the government interference ... almost 6,000 participated in an emergency naked bike ride! "Paws Off Portland" was a puppy party with such cute signs. And more. And protests do seem to get things done!
DeleteFirst sentence in our local paper editorial: The truth about what’s happening in Portland doesn’t matter to the Trump administration.
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