Re-Igniting the Pearl: PDNA Hosts Public Safety Town Hall
Re-Igniting the Pearl: PDNA Hosts Public Safety Town Hall
Thank you to the roughly 500 neighbors and business owners who packed the Armory for our recent public safety forum! Hosted as part of our summer-long "Re-Ignite the Pearl" campaign, the event brought much-needed, candid dialogue directly to our community.
Here are the key takeaways from our discussions with city and county leaders:
- A Candid Assessment on Crime: Portland Police Chief Bob Day didn't sugarcoat the challenges we face, acknowledging that our neighborhood has been hit hard. He emphasized that reversing this trend depends heavily on rebuilding police staffing, which remains well below historic levels.
- A Call for Budget Accountability: Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez shared his frustrations regarding local spending. He argued that the county has ample revenue but must realign its budget priorities to properly fund public safety, prosecution, and accountability.
- Signs of Our Neighborhood's Renewal: Despite the tough conversations, the spirit of the evening was defined by action. PDNA President Bruce Studer highlighted the incredible momentum of our "Re-Ignite" initiative—including the new Pearl Culinary Farmers Market on NW 13th Avenue, which is already bringing vibrant energy back to our streets.
- Community Advocacy: The drive for systemic change was felt outside the doors, too, where volunteers gathered signatures for a ballot initiative aiming to redirect a portion of Portland Clean Energy Fund revenues toward police hiring and training.
What’s Next?This turnout proved that Pearl District neighbors are ready to take ownership of our future. Through our community events, foot patrols, and continued advocacy for public resources, we are reclaiming our streets.
Thank you for showing up, standing up, and helping us re-ignite the Pearl!
*** For the full recap, check out the original article in the Northwest Examiner.
