The loonies (some elected with 25-percent of the vote, something you should never ever forget) are running out of gas. Poor dears; when they get down to attacking a hotel, you know it's endgame. Revolutions that end in comedy are over.
Mr. Steele is doing something nobody else covering incidents involving Portland's far-left has done: naming names, identifying affiliations and associates, listing priors, outlining MOs, observing patterns and getting to the truth behind the lies.
He is to be congratulated for calling out Councilor Angelita "Diablita" Morillo on her lies about the lawless agitators at the Community Free Store. The Oregonian may be clueless about who the wrongdoers are, or they may be deliberately vague for strategic reasons, but at least they reported that the rabble at the Community Free Store provoked the so-called "harassment event" by turning on the cops. We should be grateful the police called in reinforcements. Under different leadership a few years ago the PPB did not do that, and the result was the infamous Red House scam. Maybe things are improving.
It has always seemed like there were folks out there on the far left who belonged behind bars. Thanks to Mr. Steele's reporting, we finally know we were right.
Good job and thanks! I had lived on 5th and Couch for 5 years way before all this nonsense and it was lovely. Glad to see Portlanders stand up and say no more to this bullshit.
Max is a glass full kind of guy. Portland is still in a doom loop and it’s gonna get worse as taxpayers like me get out. Only the takers (and/or extreme ideologues) are moving in.
I’ve only lived in Portland for a few years, so I’m still getting the lay of the land, but the patience, forbearance and undermanning of the Portland Police Department is quite notable. It’s obvious the lack of sufficient policing and sufficiently energetic policing has contributed to the ongoing loss of business and a stagnating/shrinking population. It’s too bad, Portland is blessed with beautiful geography, great local wine and beer, and an interesting live music scene.
Yep, the problem is we have a severely understaffed police department and elected leaders that attack the police repeatedly. Did you know there is only ONE property crime detective for the ENTIRE city?
I respectfully disagree. Huge budget deficits at both the city and County. And incompetent, ideologically extreme leadership at both. It’s not gonna be pretty.
My gut says 'no.' They solicit tent donations regularly enough on Instagram that I believe they are donation based. Local businesses donate to them, but it's usually food.
I've heard unconfirmed reports they are handing out more controlled stuff like self defense and harm reduction supplies but the tents and tarps seem to be given from "the community" aka a bunch of people who seem to live on the other side of the river.
However, as far as I know Multnomah doesn't hand out *large* tents. The posted requests are usually for the larger "family" sizes so it's possible they're getting county help and just need big ones from the community.
The loonies (some elected with 25-percent of the vote, something you should never ever forget) are running out of gas. Poor dears; when they get down to attacking a hotel, you know it's endgame. Revolutions that end in comedy are over.
Really been enjoying your posts.
Thanks Eli!
Mr. Steele is doing something nobody else covering incidents involving Portland's far-left has done: naming names, identifying affiliations and associates, listing priors, outlining MOs, observing patterns and getting to the truth behind the lies.
He is to be congratulated for calling out Councilor Angelita "Diablita" Morillo on her lies about the lawless agitators at the Community Free Store. The Oregonian may be clueless about who the wrongdoers are, or they may be deliberately vague for strategic reasons, but at least they reported that the rabble at the Community Free Store provoked the so-called "harassment event" by turning on the cops. We should be grateful the police called in reinforcements. Under different leadership a few years ago the PPB did not do that, and the result was the infamous Red House scam. Maybe things are improving.
It has always seemed like there were folks out there on the far left who belonged behind bars. Thanks to Mr. Steele's reporting, we finally know we were right.
Good job and thanks! I had lived on 5th and Couch for 5 years way before all this nonsense and it was lovely. Glad to see Portlanders stand up and say no more to this bullshit.
I think Portland is waking back up. We had a great city, then got very confused about what makes cites great. We're... recalibrating.
Good! Maybe I'll come back because my 2023 visit downtown left me shaken.
Max is a glass full kind of guy. Portland is still in a doom loop and it’s gonna get worse as taxpayers like me get out. Only the takers (and/or extreme ideologues) are moving in.
Guilty
I’ve only lived in Portland for a few years, so I’m still getting the lay of the land, but the patience, forbearance and undermanning of the Portland Police Department is quite notable. It’s obvious the lack of sufficient policing and sufficiently energetic policing has contributed to the ongoing loss of business and a stagnating/shrinking population. It’s too bad, Portland is blessed with beautiful geography, great local wine and beer, and an interesting live music scene.
Yep, the problem is we have a severely understaffed police department and elected leaders that attack the police repeatedly. Did you know there is only ONE property crime detective for the ENTIRE city?
It has begun to improve and I am hopeful.
I respectfully disagree. Huge budget deficits at both the city and County. And incompetent, ideologically extreme leadership at both. It’s not gonna be pretty.
It didn't used to be that way. Portland used to be weirder but safer when the police could actually police.
Antizionists are psychotic by nature and these cretins are no exception.
Smart move by Vasquez on the prosecution. He’s such a breath of fresh air…. https://www.wweek.com/news/courts/2025/04/01/multnomah-county-da-nathan-vasquez-sends-society-hotel-case-to-washington-county/
Great article, provides so much needed context compared to all the other write ups!
Max, is it possible that Jessica Vega Pederson and Multnomah County are supplying tents and tarps to the "free store"
My gut says 'no.' They solicit tent donations regularly enough on Instagram that I believe they are donation based. Local businesses donate to them, but it's usually food.
I've heard unconfirmed reports they are handing out more controlled stuff like self defense and harm reduction supplies but the tents and tarps seem to be given from "the community" aka a bunch of people who seem to live on the other side of the river.
However, as far as I know Multnomah doesn't hand out *large* tents. The posted requests are usually for the larger "family" sizes so it's possible they're getting county help and just need big ones from the community.