PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler released a statement Saturday denouncing the the widespread vandalism that took place the night before in multiple areas of the city.
While one group was reported to have caused damage to spots downtown, a group of about 50 people gathered at NE Halsey Street and NE 52nd Avenue before beginning a long streak of vandalism up and down NE Sandy Boulevard.
The Portland Police Bureau said 27 businesses or work spaces were damaged along Sandy.
“The people who engaged in criminal destruction are an affront to our community,” the mayor said in a release Saturday. “They are working in direct opposition to the needs of the people they say they speak for. They are criminals. They are being played by political forces who are set on preserving the status quo or worse.”
Wheeler added that there was no excuse for the criminal destruction to over two dozen businesses along the strip.
“None of this should sit well with any thinking Portlander,” said Wheeler. “To those participating in violence, I want to be clear: I denounce your actions. Law enforcement will do everything possible to find you and hold you accountable. We all agree racial justice is past due, but I absolutely denounce the violence and criminal destruction.”
Officers have begun interviewing witnesses and collecting surveillance video from various businesses. Victims are also assessing damages and filing police reports, PPB said.
Repairs were underway Saturday for the damage that stretched along Sandy Blvd between 40th and 47th Avenues where KOIN 6 News spoke to multiple people who expressed frustration at the destruction.
A family member at Reo’s Ribs told KOIN 6 News that when he came into work he was able to assess all the destruction. He said Reo’s didn’t get damaged but the building next door did and it’s disappointing.
“I just hope whoever is doing this, they would catch the people who’s doing it and be prosecuted for what they’ve done,” said Ricky Varenado, who works at his brother’s business, Reo’s. “I mean, because this is really a sad time of the year they are doing this, with the coronavirus epidemic that’s going on, people are having a hard time trying to make it in life and this makes it even worse.”
According to police, the damage in Northeast Portland included:
- Theater, 4100 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti
- Restaurant, 4100 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti
- Discount Store, 4200 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti
- Financial office, 4300 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti and broken glass
- Labor & staffing company, 4600 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti
- Apartment building, 4600 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti
- Food cart, 4600 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti
- Restaurant, 4600 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti
- Tire & auto shop, 4500 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti
- Insurance office, 4500 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti and broken glass
- Paint store, 4400 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti
- Insurance office, 4400 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti
- Dance studio, 4400 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti
- Office building, 4400 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti
- Title company, 4400 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti
- Bank, 4300 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti and broken glass
- Grocery store, 4300 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti and broken glass
- Bank, 4200 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: Graffiti and broken glass
- Restaurant, 4200 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti and broken glass
- Nail spa, 4100 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti
- Pharmacy, 1800 block of NE 41st Ave, Damage: graffiti and broken glass
- Bar, 4000 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti
- Smoke shop, 4000 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti
- Vintage clothing store, 4000 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti
- Three unoccupied business spaces, 4000 block of NE Sandy Blvd, Damage: graffiti
PPB Chief Chuck Lovell issued a statement through a series of tweets shortly after the list was released:
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Portland Police Bureau immediately.