PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Residents of downtown Portland are expressing deep concerns about the resurgence of drug activity and dealing in their neighborhood.

This drug hot spot is one KOIN 6 has tracked closely for more than a year. Downtown’s Safeway and Plaid Pantry were a drug epicenter.

Residents saw safer streets when can redemptions paused,  but now they say it’s déjà vu.

"Then the whole open-air drug market started all over again,” Sandeep Divekar said. “What’s unfolding is a tragedy in slow motion."

Neighbors describe the situation just outside their downtown highrise.

"Drug dealings, drug activity, drug use—men sitting in wheelchairs, shooting up,” said Larry Cusack. “They sit on that wall and do their fentanyl."

Downtown residents rely on walking and transit but said rising drug activity in recent months hurts their quality of life. Mary Lou Cavendish is 90 years old, she said now doesn’t go out as much anymore.

"I used to say that I would go out at night and never worry about walking, but I won’t do that anymore—too many obviously homeless people on the streets using drugs," Cavendish said.

"It just doesn’t feel safe,” Cusack added. “People are afraid to ride the streetcar, especially at night."

Other downtown residents said they live downtown because they are handicapped, requiring wheelchairs and walkers. The density of downtown and access to transit is essential for their independence.

"More tents are popping up, making it harder to get around," said Keith Martin, who needs his scooter to navigate the sidewalks.

Once again, neighbors describe dodging drug dealers daily.

"We are paying the highest tax rate in the city — my taxes are about $1,000 a month. So it’s a significant investment,” Ray Bodwell said. “And yet there are times you don’t want to go to the South Park Blocks because there’s a gathering waiting for a dealer."

Alice Nayak has to walk the streets alone at 6 a.m. to get to her bus stop for work. She says that’s the prime time for drug activity. 

"I’d love to see the deals cut down because it’s scary to be around, and it’s unfair for [TriMet] operators to deal with some of this on the bus," Nayak said. 

Adam Kriss says rising drug activity shut down his nearby medical clinic. Now, he pays for a taxi to Tigard for care.

"I have a disability, so I don’t drive," Kriss said. "It’s not just inconvenient for people like me—it also impacts people economically as well."

Residents say cans-for-cash and harm reduction handouts are backfiring. They want stronger, common-sense action from local and state leaders to make downtown safe again.

We reached out to state and local leaders.

Sen. Lisa Reynolds and Rep. Shannon Isadore didn’t respond to our request for comment. 

Chair Vega Pederson said in a statement:

"During the tri-county 90 Day Fentanyl Emergency last spring, the State chose to temporarily stop can collections at a few locations downtown, including the Safeway at 11th and Jefferson. This temporary measure expired a year ago. The requirement for grocery stores to accept cans for collection is State law and not under the purview of Multnomah County. 

"I support the Portland Police Bureau’s crack-down on drug dealing and the legislature’s focus on revision to our drug laws. Our work to respond to House Bill 4002 has resulted in the rapid increase of resources for this exact population through the Coordinated Care Pathway Center. Police who come into contact with people using drugs can get those folks immediately connected to services, and we will soon be expanding hours at the Center to 24-7 and increasing capacity to include sobering. All of this is in direct service to increased livability across Multnomah County. 

"We are at the table to address the concerns of our neighbors. We’ve been focusing on regular contact and collaboration with our partners, and work closely with the City, Portland Police Bureau, and the District Attorney’s Office at meetings focused on addressing livability concerns in this area. Portland Solutions convenes bi-weekly Problem Solvers meetings for this area every other Monday. The most recent meeting was on March 3rd and recent developments include Portland People's Outreach Project agreeing to change location from near the Cathedral School, and the Provider-Police Joint Connection Project (which pairs police with mental health and addiction specialists) visiting the Couch Park area throughout March."

We are still waiting for comment from Multnomah County Commissioner Meghan Moyer, and will update this as soon as we hear back. 

Meanwhile, officers patrolling the area told KOIN they’ve made drug-related arrests in recent months.

"The Bike Squad continues to work the area almost daily to address vice activity, said PPB Sergeant Kevin Allen. “Every mission in recent months has included patrolling, making stops, and addressing illegal camps when appropriate."

Drug activity shifts, so police say they’re staying nimble to tackle public safety issues.

Which twenty-six Reds will we see?

A good bit has changed about the nature of the Cincinnati Reds roster mix since last we gave our best guess at who might be included on it come Opening Day.

Spencer Steer’s shoulder maintained its issues, and he received a cortisone shot back on March 1st. Andrew Abbott, though, has seen his shoulder progress well enough that he threw a pair of IP in a AAA game just yesterday. Rhett Lowder is still behind schedule, unfortunately, but at least it looks like he’s moving forward and not backwards. Speaking of ‘back,’ Tyler Stephenson headed for an MRI after lingering back pain.

Rule 5 draftee Cooper Bowman was sent back to the Oaksacvegas Athletics, while former top prospect Noelvi Marte was officially sent down to AAA.

That’s a lot to process, as are the risks of losing players in camp as non-roster invitees if they aren’t selected to start the season. Same goes for players with no options remaining, as they very well could be scooped up on waivers if not placed on the roster from day one.

With Opening Day now less that two weeks away (!!), here’s our latest, greatest estimate of which Reds will make up the Opening Day roster.

Catcher

I’ve got Tyler Stephenson (1) still on here alongside Jose Trevino (2), as all initial reports on Ty Steve’s back are that his issue is minor. It may mean we see more of Jose in the lineup early on, so far there’s nothing to suggest these aren’t the two backstops they’ll carry from day one.

Infielders (5)

Elly De La Cruz (3) and Matt McLain (4) are the cornerstones of this team, and they’ll form the middle infield. Christian Encarnacion-Strand (5) and Jeimer Candelario (6) seem to be locks in the corner rotation, while Santiago Espinal (7) has solidified his spot as the do-it-all infielder in reserve.

Gavin Lux

Gavin Lux (8)! He’ll see time at 3B, 2B, LF, and even at DH when the time is right. Since I’ve got Spencer Steer beginning the year on the IL, Lux’s versatility will help offset that usually created by having Steer on the roster for the time being.

Outfielders (5)

TJ Friedl (9) is back and healthy and poised to be the everyday CF and leadoff man all 4-WAR style once again. He’ll be flanked by Jake Fraley (10) and Austin Hays (11) most days, with Stuart Fairchild (12) a RHH option on days when Terry Francona wants to stack those up against southpaws. That brings us to Blake Dunn (13), whose RHH ability wins out in this mix over Will Benson since Lux, a LHH, is filling the ‘move anywhere when it’s time to switch’ role previously occupied by Steer, a RHH. In other words, I think Francona will choose to have one more righty bat around than another lefty.

Starting Rotation

Hunter Greene (14) will start on Opening Day, as well he should. He’ll be flanked in some order by each of Nick Martinez (15), Brady Singer (16), and Nick Lodolo (17) for sure at this point. Since the season is long as all heck, I just don’t think the Reds will rush back Andrew Abbott at anything less than ‘full stretched out,’ so I expect him to begin on the IL and miss a turn or two through the rotation - if anything, that may make him even more valuable down the stretch in August/September. I think the Reds carry Carson Spiers (18) as something of ‘starter on an expected bullpen day’ for the time being.

Bullpen

I don’t believe Graham Ashcraft (19) starts the year in the minors - rather, I think he’s carried as the piggyback guy for Spiers’ turn through the rotation with the expecation that he can fill-in for multiple IP when needed in a role akin to how Martinez began last year. Brent Suter (20), Sam Moll (21), and Taylor Rogers (22) form the LHP corps in the ‘pen, while Alexis Díaz (23) will resume his role as the closer. RHP options Emilio Pagán (24) and Scott Barlow (25) have guaranteed money on their deals, so they’ll be down there until they prove ten times they shouldn’t be, leaving one final spot that I’m expected to be filled by Tony Santillan (26) - he pitched well enough last year to deserve it and he’s out of options, so that’s a no-brainer.

Notes

Steer and Abbott are the two notable omissions here. Despite how dismal the Reds have begun seasons in recent memory (and how much that has folded any and all optimism entering those years immediately), I just think they’ll play it safe with them (and Lowder). Abbott getting ~27-28 starts is still very much viable, as is Steer surpassing 550 PA.

Ian Gibaut being back in camp is cool, and he’s fanned 8 against a lone walk in 7.0 IP so far this spring. He’s not on the roster, however, as a NRI on a minor league deal, so I don’t expect him to beat out the rest of the options above. That said, I do think he’s showing enough right now to firmly be in the mix as the first bullpen arm promoted when the inevitable dings happen to the rostered names ahead of him.

Chase Petty has looked really, really solid so far in camp, and at this rate he’ll make his debut (and more) as a Red at some point this year...just not on Opening Day or in the first few turns of the rotation, assuming all goes well elsewhere.