One of the Notices to Vacate Attached to One of the Tents Afternoon by Portland Police Officers.  The “Removal” is Set for Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 9:00 am, According to the Notice

In a memorandum from city manager West to the mayor and Portland City Council dated May 12, 2023, she confirms that the removal of the “encampment” behind Trader Joe’s on the Bayside Trail, is scheduled to happen on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.   Site remediation and restoration is scheduled for Wednesday, May 17, 2023 according to the brief memo. One of the “unhoused” residents of the “encampament” asked this blogger recently if this is another false alarm.  “We don’t know,” he said.  “Do you know?”

The city recommends that “all unhoused individuals visit the social services division at 39 Forest Avenue to learn about the resources available to them…….if unhoused individuals have a friend or family member they can stay with temporarily, we would be happy to pay for any associated transportation costs.  By connecting with social services staff, unhoused individuals can be directly notified when shelter beds become available.”.

The memo states that……………some people may have no alternative but to sleep outdoors…………we recommend that they do not place any tent, structure or personal belongings on or near a public road or path and keep their site small, clean and safe.

“Would you kindly publish a list of just where those safe locations are?” asks this blogger of  Manager West,.  “The homeless would appreciate receiving that list from you. Maybe you could post that list on a pole at the “encampment ” so the homeless are sure to see it.”

“……….we are in the process of refining and improving our campsite removal policy by establishing an “Encampment Removal Task Force.” the memo continues.

“What took so long?  This issue is not new to the city of Portland,?” asks this blogger of Manager West.  “The city has been deralict in its responsibility to Portlanders.”

Manager West further claims to be working on a number of long-term solutions to create housing and shelter capacity, but no solutions are to be available immediaely.

“Does that include the property at 90 Blueberry Road which still has a “For Lease” sign on the property?” asks this blogger.