It is now time to focus again on local political races. The one to watch will be for the seat held by long time activist and visionary city commissioner, Jo Ann Hardesty. Most candidates are focused on the city’s housing shortage, mental health care and Portland’s commission form of government. The other commissioner seat is held by Dan Ryan.
Vadim Mozyrsky and Rene Gonzalez are candidates running against Hardesty. Both candidates may use crime as a way to win vote. Shootings are up, however, crime overall is not. Mozyrsky also highlighted his experience on the policing issue. He served on the Citizen Review Committee, the Portland Committee on Community-Engaged Policing and the Police Budget Advisory Committee.
Hardesty is looking to continue expanding the Portland Street Response team. She has also made her reelection about addressing houselessness, gun violence and the growing number of traffic fatalities.
But, crime and the perception of crime being out of control is one of the most pressing issues. OPB commissioned a poll of 600 people. A quarter of the respondents in the Portland metro area said crime is the most important issue facing Oregon. Statewide it was sixteen percent. Hardesty is right to focus on homelessness because it and government responsibility ranked higher than crime as a top issue.
Homicides have soared in Portland. In 2021, 91 homicides were recorded. This beat a record that stood in place since 1987. Shootings in Portland has tripled since 2019.
Commissioner Hardesty has made it her mission to push for police accountability. She also champions expanding the city’s non-police response to crises on the streets. Traffic fatalities is another one of her issues. She is a transportation commissioner. This will allow Jo Ann to see what can be done to reduce traffic fatalities and drive-by shootings.
