My guess is that Walmart folks may have thought they were doing something to help, without doing the research. I have noticed our Walmart has clothes with insignias of our local schools, too. They should contact the schools directly and receive the merchandise through the schools and directly give those profits to the local school. People who buy those are buying them due to school pride. That is something our neighborhoods can really use!
I agree with bob. Without a place for the violent offenders, the investment of more public space is just adding to our danger zone. Look at the public land near our borders. I already posted about it before reading other comments to see that I wasn't the only one who read about prisons being closed even tho the forecast is for needing MORE, not less prison space.
This seems really terrific until you read the other article about Oregon closing a needed prison; one that reportedly was offering treatment for substance abuse. One should worry about who may be lurking in these great new parks with nowhere to put those who prey upon our citizens. The future there may be similar to what is happening on our Southern border of the country where even officials warn not to use the public lands within several miles of the border, due to the violent crimes that occur out there. Even the public agencies are not sending employees into the dangerous area. How sad to have all these public spaces where the criminals have free reign.
According to this article, there is CURRENTLY no requirement to read the bulletins? Then THAT may be a teachable moment. Concerned callers caused 911 to shut down? THAT should be a teachable moment. The whole thing may have been expensive, but sounds like many lessons can be learned to improve. Seems we could benefit from more IMPROVED 'tests' to better prepare.
AND, I was glad to hear there were F-15s in Portland to respond. Next time they think it isn't necessary to have them here, remind them about this...
I hope they are just looking for evidence of TH truck in the area...
This one is much like a photo radar ticket I got in Portland near SE 125th and Division a couple years ago. The photo radar was taken just before the speed sign and I was going the speed posted on the sign right in front of me. The signs just past SE 122nd headed East was apparently for a slightly lower speed. LOTS of us got tickets there, and the next week the speed sign at SE 122nd was raised to match the other one and the speed I was traveling. STILL, they said I was speeding as I hadn't passed the sign with the higher limit (as the whole area was raised to), yet, as it was on the same block but a car length or so beyond where the radar camera was, That was my first ticket EVER after 20+ years driving and I am not likely to forget. BOGUS. Just make the speed clear and most of us will follow the law!
Excellent comment about how stuff happens everywhere. I also live in Lents, a bit closer to the Springwater trail where some 'desperate folks' camp, and sadly, we have had lots of trouble with our cars parked in the driveway and on the street, and have even caught some trying to open our garage door. I see worse on the news in other areas, tho!
Angry finger pointing doesn't solve anything and everything has pros and cons. I am not convinced Lents Park should be changed beyond the recent improvements recently completed, but I appreciate hearing from others with different perspectives and more information.
I apologize to any who felt insulted by my comment about 'under and un-employed'. I don't mean to imply all who use the park or live in SE are either of those. The facts are that Lents neighborhood does have lower incomes than many other areas of Portland, per census data. I simply meant: invest in something that will REALLY bring the kind of jobs to sustain families and perhaps enable more the ability to buy tickets to games held an area which is easy to reach by persons from all around the Portland area.
As the article says, Lents is a NEIGHBORHOOD, leave it to families. If you want commerce, move closer to commerce. Sad the Lents Assn believes each game would bring so much cash to locals. Gimme a break! Drivers may add to the street-blocking lines waiting to buy gas on that corner or they may stop at Walmart. Max riders for games would overwhelm the new green line so locals cannot count on it, and nothing else is in walking distance. Look at Expo or Rose Garden areas, if you MUST invest in sports and entertainment. Look at the vacant buildings EVERYWHERE which can be used to invest in business and provide real jobs for people.
Seriously, with our unemployment rate, invest in something that will provide year-round liveable wages for more than a few ball players or contract holders! Lents is not a good idea. Keep sports and mass attendance drawing activities in the core of the entertainment district/city where mass transit serves the majority of the attendees without inundating one family neighborhood and park.
Lents park is almost too small for the current users of families playing and supporting each other in physical activities staying out of trouble, yet remaining affordable. That place is packed and one of the few entertainment options left for the under and un-employed residents of SE Portland.
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Ruckus