Hello PNA Members,
As many of your Piedmont Neighborhood Association members already know, a couple of weeks ago, an illegal camp sprang up next to and on the walkway/bikeway to the nearby Bryant Street Bridge that crosses I-5. Nearby neighbors have witnessed numerous bicyclists fall as they try to avoid the camp debris that is blocking the bike and wheelchair ramp. Belligerent campers are now shouting at and threatening passersby. The stress to the nearby neighbors is especially acute at night when the camp expands into the street and onto private property to accommodate other boisterous folks who gather around a bonfire lit in the street. Occasional yelling and screaming extends into the wee hours of the night.
These days, the act of removing an illegal, dangerous camp is not a quick process. We’ve been told it’s best to call 311—which is Multnomah County’s single point of contact for problems such as illegal camps. Numerous 311 calls have been made, and an ADA violation report has been filed. The County has visited the site and made a risk assessment. Our risk assessment score needs to be at an elevated level before a camp removal is ordered.
We were told to keep calling 311, since they do use the volume of such calls to prioritize camp removals. Please take the 10 minutes to call 311 to share your experience or concern about this illegal camp.
Thank you for your Civic Action!
Don Robinson
Chair
Piedmont Neighborhood Association
don.robinson.pdx@gmail.com
he/him
Piedmont Neighborhood Association 