PRIORITIES
Transparency & Accountability
As Portland transitions into the next stage of our city's growth, our leaders must be committed to an open, accessible, and transparent way in which we govern.
Portlanders deserve to have their voices, ideas and recommendations heard. They deserve to feel valued and understand what and why decisions are being made and how those decisions will help build a better Portland together.
I am committed to a collaborative leadership approach that includes everyone.
Homelessness
As a Human Rights Commissioner & Park Ranger for the City of Portland, I saw firsthand in real time the impact and strain homelessness has on our community, businesses, parks, neighborhoods, and more importantly, Portlanders living on the streets. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing the homeless crisis in Portland.
I do believe that between the community, police, businesses, neighborhood associations, city, county, state, and other organizations like Harbor for Hope and Bybee Lakes Hope Center, Blanchet House, and Transition Projects to name a few, some real progress has been made.
We must continue to analyze what is working and showing success, support those efforts, and be flexible and open to finding newer solutions to create a sustainable model towards housing all Portlanders. Building affordable housing and making housing affordable are two different things that we need to have an honest discussion about.
Sobering Center
Portland's emergency rooms are being overrun and overburdened. Hospital staff are being attacked, injured and on one occasion killed. Portland needs a sobering center where Police and Emergency services can take individuals that are in need of treatment and a safe place that isn’t jail or incarceration, where they can be evaluated and given time to sober up or work through whatever crisis they are dealing with that doesn’t require emergency medical services.
Community Policing
Portland Police should continue to build on the Community Policing model. Portlanders need to see officers in their neighborhoods and be able to engage with them, build trusting positive relationships, and understand what each of us can do to make Portland safer.
I believe the recent foot patrols and the implementation of the FITCOG are great examples of community policing. We need police, Portland Street Response, community, businesses, and health providers, to work together, engaging with each other in positive ways to address needs and find solutions to address crime, biased policing, gun violence, and other public safety concerns.
Gun Violence
Over the last decade gun violence in Portland has overwhelmingly impacted communities of color. On average 40-70% of all homicides by a gun have been a person of color, the majority of those being young Black men. This is an unacceptable outcome and result of decades of not investing in our Black and Brown communities.
I am committed to working together in a collaborative, multifaceted approach to build on the recent efforts that have proven effective. Now is not the time to downsize or cut resources. We must double down on our efforts to find the funding and resources to invest in our communities of color and homeless communities and stop the cycle of violence.
Building Back Portland Better than Before
I am committed to working with all stakeholders in Portland from business owners to community leaders, to city, county, and state leaders to make Portland, The City of Roses, the destination place for people everywhere.
It starts with revitalizing the downtown corridor and bringing foot traffic, cafes, restaurants, shops, and events back to our neighborhoods. Providing services and resources to our homeless community, the mental health community, and those struggling with addiction, as well as creating safe, clean, and welcoming areas and spaces for our diverse community. We must also continue to build on the work that is ongoing with our community safety and law enforcement partners to make Portlanders feel safe and valued.
