Many cities around the country are dealing with a record number of shootings. Portland is no different. During budget talks, taxpayers wanted to know how their money is being spent to address violence in the city. Millions are spent by the city with nonprofit organizations that provide certain services within communities. Not much has been reported during the recent talks about the importance of jobs and business support.
Portland’s Community Safety Division (CSD) has rightfully been front and center in the news about addressing crime and violence. The CSD office receives millions of dollars from the city to decrease the need for a public safety response. Within the CSD is the Office of Violence Prevention which supports violence prevention efforts.
The Portland Medium has reported on general contractor Raimore Construction which has provided living wage jobs for young people and business opportunities for formerly incarcerated residents. The company is headed by Jeff Moreland – a visionary leader focused on creating community wealth. Studies show that those that receive economic benefits and a stable family life are much less likely to offend or reoffend. This could be a targeted area where the city ensure companies receiving funds are diverse and has a history of hiring from at-risk populations.
The city through CSD contracts with organizations connected with the community safety division. These organizations show up with boots on the ground when violence happens. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler’s “Safer Summer PDX” intervention plan is also focused on addressing the huge rise in gun violence.
The billion dollars and climbing I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project will provide many jobs to the local area through Raimore Construction – a prime contractor on the five year project. The company has done a stellar job providing work to subcontractors in previous local projects. Eighteen organizations, on the other hand, reportedly received $2.4 million from the city to help execute the mayor’s intervention plan.
Local taxpayers may think more focus should be placed on living wage jobs and business opportunities as part of significantly decreasing poverty – a situational constant connected to violence.
