April 2022
Tips for Staying Safe in the Downtown Area
As offices begin to fill up again after two years of prolonged COVID-19 pandemic safety protocols, downtown employees are offering a resurgence to street-level shops and restaurants. This is amazing news for our downtown businesses that have felt the most severe impacts of decreased foot traffic in our downtown core. As we see a steady increase in foot and vehicle traffic returning to Downtown Portland, it’s also important to remember that downtown office employees can play a crucial role in our city’s ability to curb crime – especially in the central business district.
 
“As we return to work in Portland and enjoy the bountiful opportunities for tasty lunches and coffees together with colleagues and friends, always walk with a purpose. Walk assertively and confidently, with a smile on your faces. How we present ourselves physically can have an enormous impact not only on how we feel, but how others see us. This is our town and let us enjoy being back with one another,” shared Downtown Portland Clean & Safe's Director of Operations Steve Wytcherely.
 
Recently, DPC&S and the City of Portland's Office of Community and Civil Life hosted a Personal Safety and De-Escalation Training that offered techniques of assertiveness, de-escalation skills, potential options for escape, and upstander interventions. If you and/or your employees missed this training, here are some ways you can help stay safe:
 
  • Do not walk and text! Avoid walking and looking down at your phone as you walk. This limits spatial awareness and can make you an opportunistic target for someone with theft intent.
  • Always maintain your car as showroom ready! Leave nothing in your parked car, no coat, no sweaty gym clothes bag, no loose change, no groceries. Nothing. This reduces the risk of car break-ins and theft.
  • Always listen to your intuition - that suspicion that something is not right, but you cannot quite put your finger on it. If a situation seems unsure, avoid it whenever possible.
 
We are excited to continue to see vibrancy return to our downtown core and encourage you all to keep visiting our downtown hospitality and retail businesses.

To keep up with future training opportunities, visit our events page below.
Request for Proposals:
Community Outreach Program
Downtown Portland Clean & Safe is always looking for opportunities to enhance and expand its services and we are extremely excited to be announcing the creation of our latest Community Health Outreach Worker program. With a primary goal of providing additional resources to the houseless community within the Enhanced Service District, we are looking to partner with an agency that will help us develop our team of at least two Community Health Outreach Workers and one Supervisor/Program Coordinator.

Local businesses, and our public safety and janitorial staff encounter people who are experiencing mental health emergencies daily and they are not often trained or prepared to respond. By providing qualified staff trained in de-escalation techniques, we will be able to better respond to these situations and offer access and connection to mental health resources and shelter. We strongly believe this program will serve to increase safety for all individuals in the community.

Please take the time to share this RFP with any agencies who might be interested in submitting a proposal by the May 6 deadline.
Downtown Fire Emergency Response
Clean and Safe is currently in the process of developing a Community Health Outreach Worker (CHOW) program that will allow qualified personnel to connect the houseless community with opportunities and resources. Recently, our staff experienced the dire need for such a program first-hand.

On an early Friday morning, a houseless gentleman living in a tent near the DPC&S office was shaken by a sudden tent fire. Looking to warm his tent, he had accidentally knocked over his camping stove, setting the tent ablaze. He escaped without any injury, but in a matter of minutes, most of the items he owned were gone. First Responders were notified and immediately rushed over to put the fire out. DPC&S Safety Coordinators and Cleaners were at the scene alongside the Director of Operations to help the gentleman salvage any belongings that remained. After the dust settled, and the area was cleaned up, the DPC&S team set about figuring out how to help with immediate needs.
PPB 2800 Bike Unit
DPC&S Renews Portland Police Bureau Bicycle Patrol Unit Contract
We are happy to provide our downtown community with news that with a commissioner vote of 3-2, the Portland Police Bureau Bike Unit contract with Downtown Portland Clean & Safe was successfully renewed for another three years. DPC&S will continue to pay a portion of the sworn officer’s salaries for the next two years in an effort to keep this specialized unit dedicated to the downtown core area and not pulled into regular patrol functions. The remaining year will focus on maintaining our partnership and collaboration strong while the City assumes the appropriate role of fully funding and supporting a vital public safety essential service.

Also referred to as The 2800’s, the unit is currently staffed with a sergeant and four full-time bike officers who are assigned to the Central Precinct. We are proud to support these amazing Portland Police Bureau Officers and look forward to maintaining the current level of service downtown. 
Security Officers Partner with Portland Police to Fight Crime in Downtown!
During the late morning hours on April 8, a Portland Patrol Inc. (PPI) officer was patrolling near the University of Oregon and heard what was believed to be a gunshot near the Burnside Bridge. When the PPI officer arrived at the scene, there was a male lying on the sidewalk suffering from a gunshot wound. The PPI officer contacted the police and attempted to render the victim aid until emergency services could arrive.
 
Portland Police Officers who were assigned to the Downtown Portland Clean & Safe contract later broadcasted a description of the shooting suspect. Another PPI officer advised the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) that he had just observed the suspect head west on NW Davis from NW Naito and was also able to provide a more detailed description of the suspect. PPB officers were able to locate the suspect at NW 2nd and Davis St., where they detained him for investigative purposes. 
Who to Call for Help
If you are located within the Downtown Portland Clean & Safe District and need help with a non-emergency issue outside of your building, call us at 503-224-7383. Please be prepared with the location, description of what’s happening and description of those involved.
Our SAFETY team,
can help with:
  • Disorderly behavior
  • Aggressive panhandling
  • Public drinking
  • Individuals sleeping in doorways or blocking access
  • Advice on a security issue
Our CLEANING team,
can help with:
  • Cleaning the sidewalk
  • Removing graffiti on the building walls facing the street, no higher than 8'
  • Picking up needles or other biohazards
Hours of operation:
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Monday - Tuesday: 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Wednesday - Saturday: 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m. 

In an emergency, call 9-1-1 for an immediate response.
Non-emergency calls to Portland Police, call 503-823-3333.

For City/County information and referrals, call 503-823-4000.

To report camping or other livability issues, visit pdxreport.org.
Upcoming Trainings & Workshops
We are taking a break for trainings during the month of May.
Please check back soon.

To register for our trainings and/or to learn more about other events,
Attend the next
Downtown Retail Council
The Downtown Retail Council (DRC) is the voice for Downtown Portland’s consumer business. Meetings are open to retailers, restaurateurs and hoteliers within the Downtown Portland and Old Town areas.
 
The DRC meets on the second Tuesday of each month (January - October) from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Downtown Retail Council Hosts SOLVE Earth Day Cleanup
On Earth Day, the Downtown Retail Council and Downtown Portland Clean & Safe hosted a SOLVE clean-up event to give back to our downtown community! The council gathered at Pioneer Place and within two hours volunteers picked up over 300 pounds of garbage. Several businesses were represented including Apple, Brookfield Properties, Yin Yang Naturals, Minute Man Press, Portland Business Alliance, and SouthPark.
The Revival of Our Downtown Retail Spaces
Downtown employees are returning to their offices, in-person events are propping up all over the city, and new and old retail spaces are resurfacing after a few quiet years. Business closures and moves throughout the past few years took place for a myriad of reasons, including heavy COVID-related restrictions and stagnant foot traffic, but as our downtown sees an uptick in traffic it’s important to highlight the great opportunities that remain for businesses in our core.

According to a recent report by CoStar, at the end of Q1 2022, the retail vacancy rate for the Central Business District was sitting at 5.8%. Slightly higher than the national average of 4.5% reported by National Association of Realtors, the downtown rate presents amazing opportunities for businesses looking to join the Portland community. Available spaces vary in size, accessibility, visibility, and traffic, but there are a few standout vacancies that would be prime locations for any business looking to prominently establish itself in the downtown area.

The 230 Ash building is Platinum LEED Certified with two retail spaces available. Businesses joining this community have the benefit of enjoying both the financial and environmentally friendly perks that come with a LEED Certified building, as well as private day and nighttime security, roof deck, and consistent customer inflow from the 133 apartments stationed above.

It will undoubtedly take more than lifting COVID-related restrictions to attract new retailers to the downtown region but showing support to those businesses who have stayed or have recently opened up their spaces can go a very long way in aiding the narrative that our downtown core is indeed an amazing place for businesses to thrive and build community. As you make your way back downtown, we encourage you to take the time and visit the new businesses that line our downtown streets. The pandemic may have infused insecurity into our downtown business community, but the grit and tenacity of our business owners and their supporters will make for an inspiring comeback story.
Notable Downtown Businesses:
Serves a blend of modern Asian fusion comfort food. Featuring poke, seasonal ramen, along with Thai, Korean and Japanese-inspired street food.
More than a store, Amity Artisan Goods is a community of underserved makers and artists. They believe, "Together we are stronger."
A family-owned and operated restaurant bringing home-cooked Moroccan cuisine to Portland's Old Town!
Downtown Portland is our city’s heartbeat. It’s the urban center that brings together locals and visitors to eat, shop, explore and gather. From our city’s thriving retail district to its renowned restaurants, Downtown Portland offers countless reasons to come together.

This month we’re excited to feature:
STRETCH THE NOODLE
The hand-pulled noodles at this downtown food cart are served in a variety of forms — stir-fried, tossed in chile oil — but on chilly days, the move is to opt for the restaurant’s la mian. The hand-pulled noodles arrive in a tingly beef broth, with braised beef tangled with greens and fresh cilantro. Yum!
WILDFANG
If style is your thing, Portland’s got all manner of goodies to up your look and slay in style. Behold, some of our favorites, for the moms who have effortlessly carried their high school ‘Best Dressed’ nomination with them well into adulthood.
PORTLAND FARMERS MARKET @ PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
The Farmer’s Market contains local produce, fresh and dried flower arrangements, a selection of seafood, and artisan bread. Past markets have included shopping, live chef demonstrations, live music performances, coffee, and local food carts. 
URBAN ART HIKE
This FREE, all-day, self-driven exploration of Downtown art organizations and local artists features new special events each Saturday. You can choose to start anywhere with the digital map. For a physical map, visit Gallery Go Go inside Pioneer Square Mall.
Our team wants to support your business!
If you would like to be featured in an upcoming write-up, please email Sommer at smartin@portlandalliance.com.
Want to know more?
Discover more in Travel Portland's ultimate guide to Downtown Portland, featuring unique shops, unforgettable restaurants, iconic coffee roasters, and one-of-a-kind activities.
Portland is a hotbed of innovation and economic growth. A center of culture and creativity. A gathering place for Portlanders and visitors. It’s also the center of national attention for issues related to houselessness, safety, and tourism. Here’s what’s new:
Connect with us on social!
About Downtown Portland Clean & Safe
Downtown Portland Clean & Safe is a private, nonprofit organization that contracts with the Portland Business Alliance to provide enhanced cleaning and security services, marketing and economic development programs to downtown property owners.

The Downtown Portland Clean & Safe District provides extraordinary essential services to the people, places and businesses within a core 213-block area of our unique city. Operating since 1988, the district is one of the oldest, largest and most successful enhanced service districts in the nation.

Hours of operation:
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Monday - Tuesday: 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Wednesday - Saturday: 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m. 


For service, call 503-224-7383.
Subscribe or forward to a friend
Share this email with a friend and/or sign-up below to receive this newsletter in your inbox every month.
Copyright © 2022 Downtown Portland Clean & Safe. All rights reserved.