Category: Crime

Crime, Infrastructure

Traffic Citation Cameras Taken Down for Replacement

After a year, the newer intersection safety camera systems the City of Portland installed along 82nd Avenue are missing from their poles as the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) works with a new vendor to augment the traffic enforcement network. In summer 2024, crews installed new cameras along 82nd Avenue and other places in the City to dissuade speeding and running red lights in areas prone to crashes. The now-removed camera installed at 82nd Avenue at E Burnside Street monitored an intersection where a speeding vehicle killed an area resident in October 2023. PBOT officials removed many existing cameras from City Streets, making room for new devices from NovoaGlobal that crews will install by November 1st. Around that time, project planners expect to add three additional locations to the safety camera network, increasing PBOT’s tools that support its goal to eliminate vehicular-related deaths and serious injuries on city streets.

A close-up view of a tall traffic camera pole against a cloudy sky, showcasing the pole's metal structure and mounting brackets where cameras are typically attached.
Intersection safety camera pole on 82nd Ave at E Burnside St stripped of its equipment

The City of Portland’s change of vendors will unify the traffic law enforcement camera system to a single company for 15 speed safety cameras and 17 intersection safety cameras. Revenue from camera citations and registration fees for traffic safety diversion classes supports the cost of the cameras. The City is required to spend any future earnings from the automated citation system on traffic safety programs or improvements, and fines will not contribute to the City’s general budget.

Close-up of a pole with a circular mount where a safety camera was previously installed, showing signs of wear.
Weather plug on intersection safety camera pole where wires connected to hardware

The City has 32 cameras, and the Portland Police Bureau operates two Traffic Division mobile speed enforcement vans that the City will also upgrade with NovoaGlobal equipment. For some City leaders, that is too few to reduce risky driving behavior adequately, and they advocate for expanding the program. Portland City Councilor Steve Novick said in a KOIN News interview that he is interested in emulating other jurisdictions with fewer traffic fatalities per capita, where they have substantially more cameras in use. However, some residents oppose the automated cameras used in issuing citations. Objections voiced include concerns about excessive government surveillance, fining drivers instead of building infrastructure that encourages safety, and the inequitable distribution of cameras across the City that could penalize poorer communities.

Traffic camera pole graffiti reading “For The love (heart symbol) of money (dollar sign)”

In more extreme cases of community protest against citation cameras, people sometimes tag or vandalize equipment. Portland’s network of cameras suffered damage in 2024 at the hands of a shooter who targeted these devices. Police apprehended a suspect in the case who they accused of causing over $500,000 in damage to more than a dozen traffic cameras across the City. The message from these destructive and sometimes dangerous activities often focuses on the fines’ impact on people. PBOT and some street safety advocates in favor of this type of deterrent stress the importance of changing harmful road behavior through a variety of methods, including fines. There is a recognized danger of systems becoming dependent on fines and favoring revenue growth over correcting harmful behavior. However, rules on camera placement and revenue use could limit the potential for misuse.

Drivers in Portland can expect to see up to 35 cameras operational by the end of 2025, with a new unit on SE Powell Boulevard at 34th Avenue monitoring westbound drivers, NE 82nd Avenue at Fremont Street facing southbound motorists, and NE 82nd Avenue at Klickitat Street watching northbound vehicles. All new cameras have a 30-day warning period before people caught by the devices receive citations. By January 2026, PBOT will install two cameras on SW Barbur Boulevard in the 5900 to 6100 blocks.

PBOT notes that incidents involving speeds higher than posted are a top contributing factor to deadly crashes across the Portland region. Additionally, ignoring traffic signals causes a significant number of crashes. Camera citations are not the only solution needed for safer streets. However, a majority of surveyed Portland residents support the expanded use of traffic cameras. People should anticipate the new cameras returning in the next few months as crews rebuild the network under a unified system.

Article and phots by

Jacob Loeb

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Community, Crime

Montavilla Pet Supply Robbed at Gunpoint

In the early evening of January 2nd, a person brandishing a handgun robbed Personal Beast Pet Supply at 8119 SE Stark Street. The assailant reportedly struck the store employee across the face with the butt of his gun and discharged the firearm while grabbing the cash drawer. The suspect ran off after destroying the store’s Point of Sale (POS) system, gaining only a modest amount of cash kept in the store. The ricocheting bullet went through the front counter but fortunately failed to hit the people and animals inside the shop. Portland Police officers arrived within a minute of the 911 call, just missing the suspect. Police stayed onsite for several hours, processing the physical evidence left behind.

Portland police forensic sticker by bullet hole in Personal Beast’s sales counter.

Pet supply store owner Sara Philbrook is baffled by this first-of-a-kind crime at her business. The store has suffered extensive property damage in the past from a habitual window breaker and the occasional shoplifter or other non-threatening theft. Still, the store has remained a safe space for her employees and their animals. “We’ve had people come in and steal things, really minor shoplifting over the years,” recalled Philbrook. “Even when we had the vandalism, it was just vandalism. We’ve never felt physically threatened like this before.” Philbrook explained that this type of crime does not make sense because they do not deal in cash often, with nearly 90 percent of customers paying by credit card. The POS only has enough money to cover the occasional transaction. At a replacement cost of $2,000, the year-old cash register equipment destroyed in the robbery was worth nearly 20 times what Philbrook estimates the perpetrator stole.

The damaged POS equipment placed back on the counter after robbery

Since 2008, the pet supply store has served as Historic Montavilla Downtown’s closest storefront to SE 82nd Avenue. Sara Philbrook feels that could have contributed to why the assailant targeted the shop. The location generates less foot traffic than other stores on SE Stark Street, and it is next to a fast food parking lot that suffers from issues with drug use. “You could see him on the camera. He was scoping out the neighborhood for a while. He probably just saw us as the weakest link. We’re not super busy, not like a restaurant,” said Philbrook. “I feel like it was a fluke. I don’t think that it’s indicative of any sort of uptick in gun violence. I want to say that we just got unlucky.” She will adjust how they staff the store, requiring two people on shift at all times. All the store staff enjoy the neighborhood, and Philbrook appreciates her shop’s landlord but would consider relocating further west on the street to lessen their exposure to future crimes.

Personal Beast Pet Supply is back open on its regular schedule. The injured staff member will take time off to recuperate and process the traumatic events. People wanting to support the store can shop for pet supplies or visit to wish them well. Some customers have delivered plants and cards in a show of support. If pet owners do not need supplies but want to help counter Personal Beast’s losses, Sara Philbrook offers paid pet nutrition plan consultations. The store’s website details the service and scheduling options. The Personal Beast team appreciates Montavilla’s reaction to this event and is thankful they can recover from the injuries sustained. “I’m glad to be in this community regardless of the situations that happened,” said Philbrook. “Montavilla is pretty much the sweet spot. If this had happened in any other neighborhood, I don’t think we would get the sort of support and community outpouring we get here.”

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Community, Crime

New Tow Policy Tackles Abandoned Autos

Starting on November 12th, the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s (PBOT) parking enforcement staff can order an automatic tow of any automobile with an obscured vehicle identification number (VIN) that is also missing both license plates. Last August, Portland City Council approved code updates that expanded tow authority to a larger group of city staff and added section “F” to City Code 16.30.220, making missing vehicle identification a tow without prior notice offense. Officials made this change, in part, to empower parking enforcement officers to quickly clear abandoned vehicles in violation of city code from the public right-of-way.

Oregon requires all registered vehicles to display a front and back license plate, with some exceptions that include mopeds and motorcycles that only need a rear plate. Additionally, cars and trucks need to display the VIN in a visible place, which manufacturers typically place on the driver’s side of the dashboard, where it meets the windshield, and people outside can easily read it through the glass. Removing license plates and blocking or removing the VIN could indicate that someone stole or intentionally abandoned a vehicle and is trying to hide its ownership. Requiring prior notice of a pending tow would give someone time to move it, avoiding citations or recovering a stolen vehicle. This recent City Code change, with the 22 new parking enforcement officers recently added to PBOT’s Parking Enforcement team, should increase the number of abandoned vehicles removed from city streets. Vehicles parked on private property are exempt from this enforcement.

People can report illegally parked vehicles in the public right-of-way by calling the Parking Enforcement Division at 503-823-5195. They are open weekdays from 6:15 a.m. to 11:15 p.m., Saturday from 8:15 a.m. to 11:15 p.m., and Sunday from 8:45 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. For off-hours reporting, PBOT recommends contacting Portland Police via the non-emergency number 503-823-3333. Anyone looking to recover their towed vehicle can contact Portland Police Auto Records at 503-823-0044 to locate it and learn how to get it back. The city offers a Towing Frequently Asked Questions page with information about the recovery process.

The increased speed in towing will likely clear more city-code-violating vehicles from the street, which could cause increased financial burdens on some vehicle owners. Consequentially, PBOT manages a towing hardship fund for victims of auto theft and people living on a low income. They can receive up to $300 towards retrieval of their towed and impounded vehicle. This faster tow policy is just one step towards removing out-of-compliance cars from the streets. Still, it has the potential to streamline the process for city employees and provide faster results for those reporting the vehicles.

Article and Photo by

Jacob Loeb

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Crime, Infrastructure

82nd Avenue Traffic Citation Cameras

On June 24th, crews installed a new intersection safety camera system to monitor southbound traffic on 82nd Avenue at E Burnside Street. The next day, workers returned to add two new camera systems at NE Glisan Street and 82nd Avenue. Those will focus on traffic traveling northbound and westbound. After a short testing period around September, motorists running red lights or speeding past these automated devices will receive a citation in the mail.

In 2023, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) announced plans to expand the camera-based citation infrastructure along high-crash streets and intersections. This expanded program is part of PBOT’s commitment to using available tools to reduce traffic fatalities. “These devices have virtually eliminated top-end speeding on corridors across Portland within weeks after their deployment,” explained PBOT representative Dylan Rivera.

Although fines generate revenue, Oregon law directs around 70% of the net income from automated citations to the State, funding the Criminal Fine Account. The speed camera enforcement program has not generated revenue for PBOT since it began eight years ago. City of Portland retained fines currently pay for installing and operating the cameras. Regulations require Portland to spend any future earnings from this automated citation system on traffic safety programs or improvements, and collected funds will not help with PBOT’s budget constraints.

Rivera said all timelines for camera activation are tentative, but PBOT expects these new 82nd Avenue cameras to begin issuing citations in October. He explained that recent damage to other camera systems currently in operation has only added to activation uncertainty. “That timeline will likely shift as we continue to see vandalism and other issues impacting our timelines for delivering these crucial safety improvements.” Portland’s network of cameras across the city recently suffered damage at the hands of a shooter who targeted these devices. Police apprehended a suspect in the case who stands accused of causing over $500,000 in damage to more than a dozen traffic control cameras across the city.

Although authorities are not yet issuing citations based on information from the new camera systems, their appearance will not change when activated, and they could begin issuing fines without further warning. Drivers should treat intersection safety cameras as active and obey posted traffic rules, or risk receiving a mailed citation. PBOT lists current and planned cameras on its Vision Zero website.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscribers or sponsors. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Crime, View of Montavilla

Abandoned Vehicle Fire Near Gateway Green

Last week, Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) crews responded to a vehicle fire near the northern entrance to Gateway Green Park between Interstate 84 and Interstate 205. Firefighters found a stack of cars and one boat ablaze. The rocky location beside railroad tracks kept the fire mostly contained until crews extinguished it. Workers with Union Pacific previously stacked the abandoned vehicles they found along the nearby railroad tracks to form an access road barricade.

Portland Maps image with MV News illustrations

Over the last few years, people have left a half-dozen cars and at least one boat next to the Union Pacific tracks that run between I-84 and I-205. During that time, miscreants vandalized the cars and stripped them for parts, leaving mostly scrap metal hulks behind. In an April cleanup, crews working for Union Pacific moved the scrapped vehicles from their respective locations and stacked them near a gravel access road that connects to the I-205 MultiUse Path. Union Pacific representative Meg Siffring explained the stacked vehicle wall was an uncommon measure to prevent more vehicles from entering their property. “We did a large clean up in this area, removing trash and debris. While not typical procedure, what you are seeing is a temporary measure to prevent trespassing on Union Pacific property,” said Siffring.

Scrap vehicle barricade from April 15th, 2024

On Friday evening, May 10th, PF&R received reports of cars on fire between the two freeways near Gateway Green Park. The boat and most non-metal parts on the vehicles burned or melted in the fire, leaving twisted remains that still block the access road. This debris on Union Pacific property does not affect the public multiuse path and Park access. Siffring said that Union Pacific is working on a long-term plan to restrict entry to their tracks. However, this area has struggled with encampments and unauthorized vehicles for years. People have cut fences, removed concrete barricades, or otherwise bypassed past attempts to keep this area clear. People should expect to see the burnt cars cleaned up after the railroad operator installs a permanent solution.

Article and phots by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Crime

Fire Set at PDX Peaches on NE Glisan

At 3:30 p.m. on April 24th, firefighters responded to reports of a commercial rooftop fire at the PDX Peaches adult entertainment venue. The fire at 9243 NE Glisan Street started from ignited trash that spread to the roof structure and parapet of the single-story building. A helpful neighbor notified the team inside the building, and everyone escaped uninjured. Responding Portland Fire & Rescue crews quickly extinguished the flames. However, damage from the fire and water closed part of the lobby, and restoration crews are working to repair this woman-owned business.

Image courtesy Portland Fire & Rescue

Lexi, the manager at the location, was not at the shop when the building caught fire. However, after reviewing security footage and speaking to neighboring business owners, she has a good idea of how it happend. “A couple of days ago, I noticed a bunch of trash in front of the neighboring hair salon. Yesterday, I noticed the trash was picked up and put in a trash bag set against our outer wall,” recalled Lexi. After hearing of the fire from women working at PDX Peaches and rushing to the shop, she reviewed the business’s surveillance footage. “It shows a man walking up and lighting the bag of trash on fire and casually just walking off,” said Lexi. She is disappointed that a trash bag was left on the street as kindling for a fire that nearly destroyed the business, but she is also thankful for the quick work of neighbors.

“A hero neighbor was skating by when he noticed the fire. He ran in to alert the girls working. Everyone made it out, and no one was hurt. He called 911 and also tried putting the fire out along with another neighbor, but at that point, it had already made its way into the walls and roof,” said Lexi. A restoration crew arrived hours later and began clearing the debris and securing the structure, making the lobby safe for guests. PDX Peaches is open for business again after the brief interruption. Lexi is thankful for the help they have received and hopes it will continue as the team recovers from the fire. “We are a small business, and we really appreciate the community’s support throughout this difficult time.”

Article by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscribers or sponsors. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Construction, Crime, Food and Drink, New Business

SE Stark Chick-fil-A Moves Forward at Recent Homicide Site

The site of an April 1st homicide will become a new Chick-fil-A restaurant after the City approves permits. Since 2022, franchise designers have worked to gain approval for a new chain chicken sandwich shop at 9950 SE Stark Street. The approximately 7,012 square foot building hosted several establishments over its years, including Tony Roma’s, Hooters, Mystic Gentlemen’s Club, and now Venue Gentlemen’s Club. It was outside this current adult entertainment business that responding Portland Police officers found one person with life-threatening injuries and a second person deceased on that early April evening.

On Friday, April 12, members of the Vancouver Police Department and the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force arrested the suspected April 1st shooter in Washington State. The 31-year-old Portland resident is awaiting extradition to Multnomah County from the Clark County Jail, where law enforcement officials are holding him on warrants for Murder and Attempted Murder. The suspect’s apprehension resolves immediate concerns regarding this most recent spike in violence in a commercial area struggling to come back from its decline.

This parcel sits across SE Washington Street from the Mall 205 complex that sold to new investors in January 2022. As the new ownership works to remake that formerly bustling retail center, several area tenants have vacated the area. However, other big-name companies have remained in existing locations while other new chain stores look to establish a foothold in this central corridor.

Portland City officials recently approved a design review for the future Chick-fil-A restaurant to replace Venue Gentlemen’s Club. The 1984-era building will receive substantial upgrades inside and out. Motorists will maintain parking lot access from the two existing SE Washington Street and SE Stark Street driveways. However, guests will need to leave their vehicles at this fast food location as the building will not offer a drive-through window. Crews will rework the façade and roof to incorporate a new entry vestibule. Sidewalk improvements around the site will join the parking lot and ramp additions to increase accessible entry to the restaurant. Workers will restructure the interior with all new restrooms, a play area, a sit-down dining room, and kitchen space to meet the Chick-fil-A standards.

After years of preliminary work on this proposed restaurant, project planners have recently moved to the permitting phase, making this site’s transformation likely to proceed. The permitting process can take significant time to secure City approvals. According to an Oregonian/OregonLive article from May 2023, Venue Gentlemen’s Club will remain at this site on SE Stark Street until they can secure a new location. The presence of a Chick-fil-A location can often change the character of a street, drawing many patrons. Its addition to the business roster for the area could bolster the efforts of Mall 205’s rehabilitation along with other shopping additions planned for neighboring commercial spaces. People should expect construction at 9950 SE Stark Street to begin soon after permits are approved and the existing tenant vacates the space.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscribers or sponsors. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Community, Crime, Infrastructure

Mt. Tabor Path Officially Opens

On April 1st, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) officially opened a new paved bike path and pedestrian accessway leading to Mt. Tabor Park from SE 64th Avenue and SE Division Street. Many parkgoers received a preview of the accessway during the weekend of March 23rd before crews reinstalled temporary fences for the week of March 25th. The April sunny weather attracted numerous residents of the adjacent Courtyard at Mount Tabor Senior Living Community to experience the new park amenity alongside people from all over the area who appreciated the new pathway.

New “Bikes Use X-walk” sign at SE 64th and SE Division near enhanced crossing

The late March temporary opening provided contractors unobstructed access to the multiuse pathway while installing the finishing touches for this project. Workers added new bollards to keep motorized vehicles off the pedestrian and bicycle route during that period. Crews also installed a “bikes use x-walk” sign at SE 64th Avenue and SE Division Street near a new enhanced crosswalk with high-visibility markings and a temporary pedestrian island. One contractor added metal skate stops to the concrete benches to dissuade people from skateboarding along the smooth edge. PP&R Public Information Officer Mark Ross explained that these devices are part of many projects where skateboarding could interfere with the intended use of park amenities. “The skate stops were part of the base scope of work the contractor needed to complete prior to opening the path to the public. This is a standard item installed at parks across the City.”

skate stops installed on northernmost bench

A recent indecent report on social media illustrated, in part, an argument for skate stops where site managers prohibit that use. Based on the site’s progress shown in the post’s picture, the purported incident occurred weeks before the site opened while it was fenced off. The illustrated image shows a skater performing a slide or grind trick on the northernmost concrete bench before contractors installed the preventative metal bumps. The unconfirmed description of the conflict described an unreasonable level of hostility towards the skaters from an area resident. Although PP&R uses anti-skating devices, the Bureau supports skateboarding activities in designated areas. Within two years, Berrydale Park will host a new skatepark less than two miles from this path. PP&R will also create a partially covered skateboarding facility 1.5 miles south of Mt. Tabor Park at Creston Park. The Parks Department lists eight parks that have skateboarding areas. However, Mt. Tabor Park is not on that list, and skaters have few public options in the area until PP&R creates the new skateparks.

Extra bollards added to path entrance to prevent unauthorized vehicle access

With the new pathway open and complete, people can reliably access Mt. Tabor Park from SE 64th Avenue and SE Division Street. Crews are still working on other improvements to the PP&R Maintenance Yard property, creating a modern facility to support the network of public green spaces. Park architects designed the fully illuminated walkway for users of all abilities, providing continual access to the park through a direct path while creating several places along its length where people can enjoy a landscaped view away from traffic.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Crime

Police Catch Suspected Christmas Hit-and-run Driver

David Wayne Becker was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver on December 25th, 2023, near SE Stark Street and 106th Avenue. On January 31st, the U.S. Marshals Service arrested the 37-year-old suspected driver in Vancouver, Washington. Nationally, an increasing number of drivers flee the scene of a crash. However, as indicated by this recent arrest, Police can still hold people accountable even after they leave the area.

On Christmas morning, an off-duty Portland Police Officer discovered Becker on SE Stark Street suffering injuries from an apparent vehicle collision with a pedestrian. The off-duty officer contacted emergency services at approximately 12:19 a.m. and provided medical aid to the victim until an ambulance arrived. Paramedics transported the 63-year-old Becker to a local hospital, but he was later declared deceased. A nearby camera captured an image of a red Dodge Ram with a broken driver’s side headlight assembly and damage to the front driver’s side corner from the collision.

Security footage of red Dodge Ram involved in the crash. Image provided by Portland Police

Police shared the image of the suspect’s vehicle on January 2nd and asked for the public’s assistance in identifying the driver. On January 12th, a Multnomah County Grand Jury returned a four-count indictment against the suspect, charging him with Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver Resulting in Death, Attempt to Elude Police, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, and Reckless Driving. With the help of the U.S. Marshals Service and the Vancouver Police Department, authorities took the suspect and his red Dodge Ram into custody.

According to a AAA Study, hit-and-run deaths in the U.S. have increased an average of 7.2 percent each year since 2009. Portland is also seeing an increase in fatal crashes and people fleeing the scene. At approximately 2:17 a.m. on February 5th, Portland Police officers responded to another pedestrian hit-and-run fatality near the intersection of SE 82nd Avenue and Flavel Street. Portland Police do not capture all drivers who fail to remain at the crash site. However, the Major Crash Team and Criminalists from the Forensic Evidence Division are regrettably practiced at gathering evidence from fatal crashes, aiding in the apprehension of drivers who flee the scene.

Preventing fatal crashes is the primary goal of traffic safety officials and law enforcement. However, holding people accountable for their involvement in a collision is essential in deterring reckless behavior. Portland Police and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office collaborate on crash investigations and are actively working on convicting more hit-and-run drivers. Prosecution alone will not make streets safer, but increasing driver accountability is necessary to reduce crash fatalities.

Update: Portland Police arrested a suspect involved in the hit-and-run crash at SE 82nd Avenue and SE Flavel Street. Officers booked the 26-year-old Portland resident into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of Criminally Negligent Homicide, Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver (Death), and Tampering with Evidence. Investigators determined the suspect was speeding through a work zone when he struck the pedestrian crossing SE 82nd Avenue. 

By

Jacob Loeb

Community, Crime

Speed Camera Van Calms Morning Commute

Thursday morning, commuters on SE Stark Street encountered a Portland Police Bureau Photo Enforcement van parked near SE 78th Avenue. Drivers traveling over the posted speed limit of 20 miles per hour saw their speed displayed on the van-attached reader board and a flash. Once the vehicle passes the van, another flash triggers as the van presumably captures additional photos of the speeder’s rear license plate.

Traffic enforcement vehicles often park in front of Mr. Plywood, capturing people driving through the center of Montavilla’s historic downtown. Speeding between the traffic lights at SE 82nd and 76th Avenues has become more dangerous since road work temporarily removed high-visibility crosswalks at SE 80th Avenue. For many business owners and residents, speeding along SE Stark is a significant concern because it is a two-lane, one-way road that encourages efficient vehicle throughput at higher than posted speeds. 

Portland is increasing the use of speed and red-light cameras across the city with three proposed additions in Montavilla along 82nd Avenue. Although the van’s placement could temporarily decrease speeding, a permanent installation is likely the only way to reduce dangerous driving without significant changes to the street’s design. Portland is seeing record-high traffic fatalities, with 2023 being the deadliest in the last three decades. Using vans like the one place on SE Stark Street and permanent traffic cameras could help reverse that trend, but additional tactics are likely needed.

Article and phots by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.