There are a variety of businesses which have spoken out about the issues that they are facing in Portland. More recently there have been stories circulating about REI planning on closing their Portland store after dealing with issues like break-ins and thefts. They are not the only business to suffer being victimized by such activities and who knows who might be next to pick up and leave as well because of it.

Unaddressed issues with crime are going to cause businesses to leave the region.

At some point it will be too costly to do business if they cannot go too long without being vandalized, stolen from etc. Even with increased security measures they could still easily face such issues.

When those stores leave they take market options along with them, jobs too, and their departure can quickly erode the standard of living in the region as a result.

When customer safety is potentially at risk it is easy to see why stores and other businesses might leave.

It isn't only businesses either who have complained about these issues such as those surrounding crime.

Some businesses have hired armed security guards to try and deal with the problems that they have been facing. If more businesses leave what is that going to do for the future of the region?

If there are issues with crime that can also make people feel unsafe to visit the region too.

This is going to cost the area a great deal of money in a wide variety of ways.

It isn't in the interest of the community to let any such problems go ignored for too long. But what can be done? Some might say hire more police. Others suggest addressing the issues that might be underlying the motivations for those crimes. A few have pointed to the housing crisis for example and how that might be playing a role. Either way, something arguably needs to be done to try and address the issues that the region has been dealing with.

Pics:
pixabay
Sources:
https://kutv.com/news/nation-world/portlands-flagship-rei-store-to-close-due-to-record-crime-safety-concerns-portland-oregon-high-crime-drives-businesses-out-of-big-cities-portland-chicago-new-york-city-san-francisco-prosecutors-district-attorneys-soft-on-crime-criminal-punishments-public
https://nypost.com/2022/09/13/portlanders-speak-out-on-citys-rising-crime/
https://nypost.com/2023/04/18/rei-to-close-portland-store-after-record-breaking-number-of-thefts-break-ins/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11807717/Portland-business-owners-say-theyre-fleeing-city-en-masse-crime.html