Downtown Services

• Portland Downtown Services Inc.
• SAFE Overview
• Clean & Safe Services
• Cleaning Request
• Portland Adopt-A-Belly program
• Community Court
• Griffiti Removal
• BID map
• Street Musican Partnership
• Downtown Services Directory
• Sidewalk Ambassadors
• Ambassador Bios
• Downtown Retail and Marketing
• Downtown Retail Strategy
• Join the Downtown Retail Council
• Shop Portland
• Dining Guide
• Holiday Lighting Program
• Real Change
• Downtown Market Research
• Pedestrian Counts
• Search Downtown Commercial Listings
• Post a Downtown Commercial Listing
• Central City Committees

Community Court

The Portland Business Alliance is an active partner with the community justice system of Multnomah County and the State of Oregon in the Community Court system. Community Court gives the judicial system the opportunity to prosecute quality of life crimes in a cost efficient manner and in a way that benefits both the community offended and the individual offender. By providing on-site staff and community service coordinators, The Alliance programs at Community Court continue to provide innovative initiatives and significant contributions to local justice agencies and Portland area communities. In addition, providing partnership with local, existing social service agencies to an offender gives opportunities to an individual to address the root causes of his or her unlawful behavior.

Community Service

Since August 2002, more than 7,000 defendants have been ordered by the Westside Community Court to complete community service cleanup projects in the Central City. To date, 70 percent of defendants have successfully completed litter and leaf pickup, syringe removal, and painting projects, valued at more than $450,000 of community restitution. Defendants with special needs have also contributed to emergency food services in Portland by putting together over 38,500 food boxes for indigent families. Defendants are expected to complete their community service obligation within the same week of their court appearance, and attend a social service opportunity class the same day of their community service. More than 3,000 defendants have attended the class at Central City Concern, West Portland One Stop. In partnership with TriMet and the District Attorney's Office, the class also includes a Responsible Ridership curriculum.

Theft Accountability Class

What happens to first-time, indigent shoplift offenders in Portland? Judges in Westside, Northeast, Southeast and Gresham Community Courts now have the sentencing option to order defendants to attend a Theft Accountability Class in the community they offended. Classes are coordinated by The Alliance, facilitated by the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office (MCSO), and are enhanced by employees from local area retailers and social service providers presenting how theft impacts business and our community.

To date, 1,268 (73 percent) defendants have successfully completed this class. A follow-up study of over 400 defendants completing the class shows 93 percent have not been arrested on a new theft offense.

Classes are held at Central City Concern, West Portland One Stop. Defendants receive an orientation to social services provided by the One Stop, and are encouraged to sign up for assessment/services by One Stop staff. More than 50 percent have chosen to access services on a voluntary basis.

For more information on any of these programs call 503.988.4048.