PORTLAND, Oregon – The Portland City Council voted against a measure to halt homeless encampment sweeps during a contentious city council meeting, following a week of jabs back and forth between the Portland mayor and the city council member who proposed the cuts.
Three hours of public testimony focused on the adverse effects of tent camping in the city on businesses and public health, emphasizing the need to protect children and parks from the presence of tents and drug use. Most urged the city council to vote no.
The amendment proposed by Councilor Angelita Morillo would have cut $4.3 million from Portland’s Impact Reduction Program. The city initiative cleans and removes homeless encampments when they are violating ADA requirements, blocking sidewalks or exits, have visible drug paraphernalia, violence, criminal activity, are in close proximity to schools and playgrounds, or have become hazardous. Morillo’s amendment would transfer $1.5 million for rent assistance, food aid, and for the growing illegal immigrant population in the city ($500,000 each)…