March 2008
1. Law
enforcement focuses on drug trouble spots
2. Clean & Safe officer helps nab car prowler
3. Clean & Safe security update
4. Business Census almost complete
5. Sidewalk Ambassadors lend a hand in census,
conferences
6. Praise for the Sidewalk Ambassadors
7. Mercantile opens new store, downtown retailers
continue to grow
8. New Dining Guide published
9. Fareless Square Task Force created
10. Leadership Portland applications due in
April
1.
Law enforcement focuses on drug trouble spots
During
February, Clean & Safe and Central Precinct focused on
the rising problem of drug use and sales in the area of SW
Broadway and Alder Street. The expiration of the downtown
drug-free zone and increased levels of pharmaceutical drug
sales by street level dealers has affected the problem. Central
Precinct conducted a drug mission resulting in several arrests,
and will continue a strong presence in the area along with
enhanced security patrols from Clean & Safe. Central Precinct
also initiated an Entertainment District detail to deal with
alcohol problems on high usage nights at the clubs. This will
particularly help unruly behavior on downtown parking lots
and reduce alcohol related crimes in and around the area.
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2.
Clean & Safe officer helps nab car prowler
Clean
& Safe security officers continue to be a great asset
in addressing public safety issues by being eyes and ears
for the police and providing information that leads to arrests.
On February 19, an unarmed Clean & Safe security officer
was in the parking structure at SW 9th and Yamhill and was
flagged down by a woman who said three individuals were stealing
items from her car. The officer checked the structure but
the suspects had departed. Approximately an hour later the
security officer was contacted on the street by the victim,
who pointed out the suspects sitting on a curb at the same
parking structure. The officer engaged the subjects, called
for cover and Central Precinct patrol officers quickly arrived
to take them into custody. The subjects were jailed and face
multiple charges.
These
are just two of many examples every month where a vigilant
Clean & Safe security officer works in close partnership
with Central Precinct officers. This successful partnership
resulted in a 29 percent drop in crime downtown since 2005.
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3.
Clean & Safe security update
During
February, Clean and Safe security patrols engaged in 15,086
interactions with individuals on the streets of downtown Portland
as they continue to enhance the safety and security of citizens
in the Business Improvement District. These contacts included
2,194 business assistance and referral contacts, 6,618 pedestrian
contacts, 84 arrests, 235 exclusions and an additional 169
non-enforcement problem solving contacts.
The Neighborhood
District Attorney Legal Assistant issued 174 criminal cases
in February. Bicycle officers assigned by Central Precinct
were responsible for 59 of the cases issued. Deputy District
Attorney Laurie Abraham reports that Clean and Safe security
greatly assists in documenting criminal behavior and enhances
her case preparation and sentencing options.
In February,
144 defendants were ordered by the Westside Community Court
to perform community service downtown. The Community Court
work crews removed 58 bags of trash and covered 806 block
faces. In addition, 104 hours were spent at Loaves and Fishes
due to inclement weather. Community Court reports 464 total
hours of community service performed by the crew defendants.
Out of 144 defendants, 49 were successful, seven failed, and
88 are working toward completion.
In addition,
26 defendants successfully completed the Alliance's Theft
Accountability Class.
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4.
Business Census almost complete
The Alliance
continues to conduct follow up on the 2007 Downtown Business
Census & Survey. The Census collects a 100 percent employee
count by industry type of all businesses, not for profit entities
and governmental agencies in the I-5/I-405 loop. If you have
not completed the census, please visit www.downtownportland.org/survey.html.
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5.
Sidewalk Ambassadors lend a hand in census, conferences
The Ambassadors
spent part of February dropping in with a friendly reminder
to those BID business owners who had not yet returned their
Business Census and Survey to the Alliance's research department.
In addition, 4,000 women attended a national Alcoholics Anonymous
conference in downtown during February and the Ambassadors
assisted them on heavy travel days at Union Station and at
the corner of SW Yamhill and Broadway.
- Business
modifications: 11
- Business
visits: 294
- Publications
distributed: 1,341
- Information
requests: 2,874
- Service
calls: 40
- Total:
4,560
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6.
Praise for the Sidewalk Ambassadors
"As caretakers,
guides, ambassadors, comfort to the elderly, visitor and youth,
the Alliance's Sidewalk Ambassadors are Portland's 'secret
weapon' against downtown crime. People feel safe with foot
patrol in uniform [who] are approachable and informative and
stand ready to lend a hand. Money well spent. Patricia is
very helpful and committed. Thanks"
- D.
Barrios, Portland resident
"The Sidewalk
Ambassadors have been most helpful on our Portland visit…
Great idea." - Becky S., Cincinnati, OH
"We met
Bryan on the MAX and had a very pleasant conversation about
downtown Portland. The Ambassador Program is a great addition
to Portland." - Patty L., Spokane, WA
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 7.
Mercantile opens new store, downtown retailers continue to
grow
Construction
at Mercantile was wrapped up in February and the store opened
on March 11 with 7,000 square feet at SW Park and Alder. Mayor
Tom Potter, Commissioner Sam Adams and several other local
leaders and community members were in attendance at the store's
ribbon cutting ceremony.
Columbia
Sportswear continues its remodel on SW Broadway, creating
a new flagship concept store that will be unveiled in April.
Pioneer Place has added a new tenant, Rich Girl Cosmetics,
to the concourse level and Kate Spade will be opening up a
ground floor store there in May, creating its only freestanding
location in the Pacific Northwest.
Local
retailers continue to report they are bucking the national
trend downward in retail sales. Nordstrom has been supported
by their enhanced designer assortment - Gucci boutiques and
an updated cosmetics department will be open by end of March
and the store renovations will be complete. Brooks Brothers
is also reporting strong sales results within their region
at their new location in the Galleria.
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 8.
New Dining Guide published
The Alliance
published the 2008 Downtown Dining Guide this month, listing
all restaurants in the I-5/I-405 loop. The guides are distributed
through the Ambassadors, at the Travel Portland Information
Center in Pioneer Courthouse Square and through select hotel
concierges; projected distribution will top 50,000 guides
this year, paid for through advertising dollars. Thank
you to all the great eating establishments that advertised
in the Dining Guide!
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9.
Fareless Square Task Force created
The Alliance
convened a Fareless Square Task Force to review existing policy
objectives and update or reconfirm the policy objectives for
the central city fareless transit system. The task force met
in February and discussed existing problems with the fareless
systems and objectives that any proposed changes to the system
should address. The task force will meet for four additional
meetings and will provide input to TriMet, who will address
the input in a broader framework that will be presented in
the fall of 2008.
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10.
Leadership Portland applications due in April
 Are
you ready to take your leadership skills to the next level?
Applications for the Leadership Portland class of 2009 are
due on April 15, 2008.
Participants
in the Leadership Portland program build knowledge and insight
on major issues facing the Portland community and region through
monthly education days and community projects, and further
develop their leadership skills. The program is a unique opportunity
to connect with peers from a variety of Portland's businesses
and nonprofits. Representatives from businesses and nonprofits
of all sizes are encouraged to apply.
Visit
www.portlandalliance.com/member_services/leadership_portland_application.php
for more information or to apply online.
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