Portland Graffiti Epidemic Leaves Businesses Shattered

As graffiti vandals wreak havoc in Portland, business owners are struggling to cope with the damage to their properties. One such business is Bison Coffeehouse, whose owner shares her experience of dealing with the rise in crime in the city.

Portland's once-vibrant streets are now marred by a surge in graffiti, leaving businesses and residents feeling threatened and helpless. As the city grapples with this growing problem, police are finding it difficult to apprehend the perpetrators, while the Department of Transportation struggles to keep pace with the cleanup efforts.

One of the many businesses affected by this graffiti epidemic is Bison Coffeehouse. Owner Loretta Guzman has witnessed firsthand the toll that vandalism has taken on her establishment. "It's heartbreaking to see the windows of my shop shattered," she says. "It's not just the cost of replacing them, but it's also the feeling of violation and insecurity that comes with it."

In a desperate attempt to protect her business, Guzman has resorted to installing bullet-resistant glass. "I shouldn't have to do this," she says. "But I feel like I have no choice. The city isn't doing enough to address this problem, and I can't keep putting my employees and customers at risk."

The graffiti problem in Portland has reached epidemic proportions. According to the police, some vandals spend hours on end every night defacing property. "It's a game of cat and mouse," says Officer Nate Kirby-Glatkowski. "We clean it up, and they come back and do it again."

The Department of Transportation has allocated $4 million to help with the cleanup efforts, but the bill still awaits the signature of Governor Kotek. In the meantime, businesses are left to fend for themselves.

"The graffiti artists are only emboldened by the city's inaction," says Guzman. "They know they can get away with it, and it's only going to get worse."

The graffiti epidemic is not only an aesthetic blight on the city, but it also has a significant economic impact. Businesses are losing revenue due to repairs and decreased customer traffic. "People don't want to come to a place that looks like a war zone," says Guzman.

The city of Portland has a long history of supporting street art, but this latest wave of graffiti has crossed the line into vandalism. "Tagging is not art," says Glatkowski. "It's destruction."

The Portland Police Department and the governor's office have not responded to requests for comment. As the graffiti problem continues to escalate, residents and businesses alike are demanding action from the city.