⛺ How homeless sweeps lead to river trash

PBOT Didn’t Correct a False and High-Profile Stat

Portland Bureau of Transportation officials failed to correct a high-profile statistic for two months, but an enterprising reporter has uncovered the stunning omission. According to DMV stats, only 11% of cars in Multnomah County have expired registrations, not the nearly 50% of Portland cars that PBOT was claiming as it successfully sought funding for more enforcement officers to write tickets. [OPB]

I-84’s Massive Graffiti Removal

The Oregon Department of Transportation has removed more than 28,000 graffiti tags from Portland after Gov. Tina Kotek pledged $20 million toward the effort. The tally doesn’t include last weekend's massive project along I-84 where Kotek took a turn rolling gray paint over tags. [Oregonian]

More Homeless Sweeps, More Willamette River Trash?

The city of Portland removed 6,100 homeless camps in the past year — double the year before the pandemic — at roughly the same time as the number of Multnomah County residents experiencing homelessness rose 57%. Advocates are pointing to the increased sweeps as a key reason that people living on the streets flee to natural areas. With more encampments, the Willamette River is seeing more trash [OPB]

Why 20-Plus Candidates Want To Represent North Portland

In an ongoing series, Portland Mercury reporter Taylor Griggs shares a rundown of the potential new city councilors from District 2, which includes North Portland and a bit of Northeast. [City Cast Portland 🎧]