Portland Mayor: Then- "Defund the Police" Now- "Public Safety is One of My Top Priorities"

 

Of all the cities that have seen a sharp decline over the last several years, perhaps none has experienced a more visible downfall than Portland, OR. The once safe and thriving city has been reduced to high murder rates, Antifa controlling the streets, and a public living in fear. And in the midst of it of all, one man bears the lion’s share of the blame: Mayor Ted Wheeler.

The Democrat has purposely let his city decay by heeding calls to defund the police. Meanwhile, far-left activists of all stripes rule the streets and terrorize residents. That has resulted in high costs for business owners, with one recent rampage by anarchists causing half a million dollars in damage. And for what, exactly?

…a violent mob of about 100 “anarchists” began running wild through the city, vandalizing walls, smashing windows, and setting fires at around 10 pm last Tuesday night. This resulted in $500,000 worth of damage. Despite the overwhelming chaos, police report that they could only stand by and watch as their city fell to rioters as new laws tied their hands and prevented them from acting.

That happened largely because Portland’s city government, chock full of brilliant strategists, passed a law that limited the ability of the police to disperse people participating in riotous behavior.

But perhaps the aftermath of this latest attack has produced some semblance of sanity? Wheeler has announced that he wants to re-fund the police, hiring 300 more officers. That program would include rehiring officers who have left the force over the last year, an admission that previous policies have failed.

That’s quite the turnaround for Wheeler. You may recall that this is the same guy who voted to disband the city’s gun violence reduction team last year in the wake of the George Floyd riots. You know, because what a city really needs is less policing of murderers and attempted murderers. Since then, Portland has paid the price, with a murder rate increase of over 80% last year alone.

To see more CLICK HERE.