**Portland Police Hamstrung by 2020-Era Reforms Amid Rising Homelessness and Unrest**
Homelessness in Portland’s Multnomah County has surged by 67% over the past two years, reaching a total of more than 10,500 individuals. In response, the Portland metro area allocated upwards of $724 million to homeless programs in 2024, with Multnomah County alone accounting for half a billion dollars of that funding.
Despite these substantial investments, Portland remains focused on keeping the National Guard out of the city. During the periods of unrest when rioters targeted federal facilities, Portland police were prohibited from assisting federal law enforcement in maintaining order. Instead, the city attorney was assigned to initiate legal action against the federal government regarding crowd control efforts.
Portland’s police chief has downplayed the significance of the rioting, noting that it has been largely confined to a single city block. Meanwhile, Mayor Keith Wilson has criticized ICE for boarding up the windows of its local facility — a measure taken in response to frequent vandalism that Portland police have reportedly allowed to continue.
In a troubling development, ANTIFA has posted a “hit list” in Portland targeting journalists, escalating tensions within the city.
Federal authorities have stepped in to maintain law and order. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently implemented a new rule banning masks on or near federal property. This rule was fast-tracked due to Portland’s refusal to enforce existing laws, originally scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026. Instead, the ban went into effect this past Wednesday.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/beltway-confidential/3878152/portland-crime-not-a-serious-city/
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