This whole Portland safety thing started buggin’ me last Tuesday morning. Woke up, grabbed my phone like always, and boom – my neighborhood group chat blew up with folks talkin’ ’bout another body found downtown. Felt that uneasy twist in my gut, y’know? Decided right then I needed to get straight what’s actually goin’ on, not just rumors.
Diggin’ Into The Mess
First thing I did was hit up the Portland Police Bureau’s page on my laptop, coffee goin’ cold beside me. Scrolled through their recent news releases – felt like readin’ some grim checklist. Took notes:
- Late June – That homeless camp stabbing near Chinatown. Two dead. Police still askin’ for witnesses.
- Mid-July – Convenience store clerk shot during a robbery gone wrong off 82nd Ave. Survived, barely.
- Just last week – Teen found behind a dumpster in Old Town. Suspicious death, investigation ongoing.
Felt heavy seein’ it laid out like that. Numbers on a screen, but real people hurt. Cross-checked with the county medical examiner’s public reports – same stories poppin’ up. Noticed most weren’t random, though. Arguments boiling over, drug deals sour, bad luck bein’ in the wrong spot at the wrong time.
What Can We Actually Do?
Sittin’ on my couch with these notes felt useless. Needed action. Talked to my buddy Don – retired cop, knows this city inside out. Met him for a beer yesterday afternoon. Leaned in close when he talked:
“Listen,” he said, tapin’ the table. “Street smarts ain’t magic. Be boring.” Made me scribble down his tips real fast:
- Eyes Up, Phone Down: Don’t be scrollin’ walkin’ through downtown or waitin’ for MAX. See who’s around you.
- Parking Lot Smarts: Keys ready before you leave the store. Get in, lock doors, drive off. No dawdlin’.
- Trust That Feeling: Gut says a corner looks sketch? Cross the street. Don’t worry ’bout feelin’ rude.
Made sense. Simple stuff, really. Also dug around city resources online – found that free personal safety workshop the community center runs monthly. Bookmarked it for later.
Putting It Out There
Spent this morning draftin’ my post. Didn’t wanna scare folks, just show what I found and what might help. Typed it straight like talkin’ to a neighbor over the fence. Laid out the cases quick, then hammered on the practical things – like Don’s advice ’bout havin’ your keys poking through your fingers if you gotta walk alone at night. Hit publish around lunch.
Already got a few comments. One lady thanked me for remindin’ her about the workshop. That’s the point, ain’t it? Not bein’ scared silly, just bein’ aware and lookin’ out for each other. Feels like somethin’.
