Making Portland Street Response equal to police

Local Colleges and Universities Opposing Trump

Lewis & Clark, Reed, and Portland State are among the 200 institutions of higher learning nationwide whose presidents are publicly opposing President Trump, calling his actions an “unprecedented government overreach.” Oregon State and the University of Oregon had not signed onto the statement from the American Association of Colleges and Universities as of yesterday. [OPB]

Expanding Portland Street Response

The City Council is moving toward making Portland Street Response, which responds to mental health crises, a standalone branch of the city's emergency response — equal to the fire and police bureaus. A City Council committee approved the proposal, though there’s opposition to it as the city faces a budget crunch. [Oregonian 🔒]

46 Arrested in Drug Sting

In the first several months of 2025, Portland has seen a 12% decline in calls related to overdoses. Law enforcement is crediting that decline to a coordinated operation by city, county, and federal officers to seize a massive amount of drugs early this year — about the same amount as all of last year. [KATU]

Cutting 911 Wait Times

When you call 911 in Portland, there can sometimes be an alarmingly long wait on hold. In fact, for six years, the Bureau of Emergency Communications hasn’t met the national standard for how fast operators pick up incoming calls. But now the city is making strides to improve this piece of emergency response times. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Next weekend we’re celebrating Portland on 503 Day (you’re all invited).

So for that occasion I asked for your ideas of what the city needs right now — at least for a bumper sticker.

Today I’m asking for you to pick the best reader submissions.

And here are some of the latest additions:

Choice, Respect & Nature’s Fresh Air Is My Jam.

— Casey Milne

IPA: Inherently Portland Always

Chris Laxton

Be Bridge City Beautiful!

— Sue Metzler

We're More Than a Mess: We're the Makers of What Comes Next ... !

— JAM Team: Jack Angelina and Melody

PDX it’s an Authentic VIBE.

— Paula Willhite

PDX Plants Passion and Rain

— Paula Willhite

Portland, We Watch Women's Sports Here

— Natalie

Laugh! Portland's In on the Joke. Kinda Weird, Huh?

— MJBS

Wear Plaid or Go Back!

— Jean GC

Help: I can’t parallel park

— Brett

Please help us pick the best submissions.