PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Mayor Ted Wheeler and the Portland Police Bureau have bolstered patrols around the Washington Center building in downtown Portland following a recent spike of fentanyl overdoses in the area.
Police were stationed Friday evening around the vacant center at 401 Southwest Washington Street, which, officials say, has become a hub for the fentanyl market.
Wheeler demanded police set up around-the-clock patrols by the building at SW 4th and Washington — and that’s having an effect.
In recent times dozens of people congregated at the spot openly dealing and using drugs.
“The Washington Center building continues to be a top public safety concern and priority for our team. Given the extreme conditions at this property, Mayor Wheeler and the Portland Police Bureau have dedicated resources to help restore safety in the area,” according to a spokesperson from Wheeler’s Office.
PPB previously told KOIN 6 News there’s been a surge in overdose calls in the city, although the bureau is unsure what exactly is driving the uptick. In a 12-hour period on March 31, nearly a dozen overdoses believed to be fentanyl-related were reported around downtown Portland, three of which resulted in deaths.
Despite repeated arrests, the dealers would return to the site. But the constant patrols are having an effect.
On Monday, Gov. Kotek said the open air drug market at the Washington Center Building was unacceptable. She said she wants to expand the state police academy so cities like Portland can speed up recruitment of new officers to get more of them out on the streets.
At this time, according to Wheeler’s office, officials are still working out how long the additional patrols will be deployed in the area.