Portland group downplays downtown 'incidents'
The Portland Downtown District is backpedaling on its statement that its summer guides were accosted on the streets in a “few incidents,” now saying there was only one situation.
The Portland Press Herald reported that the nonprofit group clarified the issue Wednesday after sending an email on Monday that asked downtown businesses to provide shelter to its summer guides if they were being accosted or threatened on the streets. The group didn't provide details about the one incident. The newspaper noted that nuisance crimes, like aggressive panhandling, has actually decreased from last year.
The group's acting CEO, Michael Mastronardi, told the Press Herald that he will no longer push for downtown businesses to display “welcome signs.” He added, however, that his Monday email received a positive response from member businesses.
Portland police said they have not heard any complaints about guides being threatened. But they did arrest this week Pete Johnson, who the downtown group identified in its Monday email as someone to watch out for. Johnson is facing multiple charges of criminal trespass.
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