Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Downtown business owners tell Multnomah County commissioners security costs threaten storefronts
Summary
Multiple downtown business representatives told the Multnomah County Board that businesses are bearing heavy security costs and regulatory burdens, with some citing recent violent incidents and urging more public safety resources to support economic activity in Portland’s core.
Pete Colton, speaking on behalf of convenience store owner Karen Chiray, told Multnomah County commissioners that downtown Portland proprietors face mounting regulatory and security costs that make operating unsustainable. “A guy pulled a gun on her employee,” Colton said, describing a recent violent incident and urging the board to acknowledge the “immense hardships” felt by businesses.
Two other presenters in the public‑comment period reinforced Colton’s account. Michelle Mila of Stadium Hood said owners are forced to…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
