Bridge Pedal

That's right, I am one of the sappy bridge pedaling sentimentalists out there. We had a fabulous ride, a great time, but was surprised at the lack of support. There were 17,000 riders this year. Only 2 ambulance rides (both will recover).

Graffiti and it's cost

Seemingly harmless, Graffiti cost the city of Portland over 2 million dollars in 2007. It costs the tax payer an average of 3 to 5 dollars a year. If I live to 85, having worked since I was 15. That is 300 dollars. EVERY citizen.


The "broken window theory", summed, one broken window if left unrepaired begets more. For example if a house falls into disrepair with broken windows, abandoned buildings are tagged with graffiti, and litter remains on the streets citizens who prefer orderly looking and crime free neighborhoods will abandon the area. Their house, for sale and left vacant will incur graffiti, or litter, and in the long run will be detriment to the neighborhood. A formerly well kept house with the leadership of these neighbors will be lost.

In my neighborhood, one piece of graffiti left on a public wall for one week was accompanied by three other pieces of graffiti within a month. One piece of graffiti begets more.



I encourage you to read more: broken windows theory, it reformed policing policies in the 80s. Instead of changing policing policies, consider it's impact on your yard. Your neighborhood. Clean up.

I had a minister once who would purposefully drop a pencil in a group of people. Waiting, looking to see who picks up the pencil as a sign of leadership. Show some leadership.

This is a site which lists resources around Beaverton. http://www.co.washington.or.us/sheriff/investig/grafhurt.htm

Portland Oregon Graffiti

Lovely neighborhood, ain't it?

North Portland is not the nicest of neighborhoods. No one has passed a law hat all contractors must bury their lines (power, phone, cable, etc.). There are no home owner's associations calling me concerned if my lawn grows to long, or browns. It is instead a "growing neighborhood." It is supposed to be an up and coming neighborhood. And you would think we would do something about graffiti if the city has involved themselves in writing a huge "North Interstate Corridor Improvement Plan". (http://www.portlandonline.com/planning/index.cfm?c=43260)

Graffiti is a HUGE problem, and there is virtually no response from the city. here is a sample of it:


August 1st, 2008. "NSF" graffiti at on the dumpster at an elementary school.

Thirteenth street )the ("X3") gang tag is a territorial tag... meant to compete with the Eighteenth street gang tag. This tag was is on the corner of Killingsworth and Minnesota.


This tag sits on the brick wall that is the I5 sound barrier. This particular tag can be seen from the intersection of Minnesota and Emerson.

This, or should I say these, tags are on the highway entry ramp to I5 south.

My buddy got "cripps" tagged on her car. ON HER CAR!!!!

So why would we not report the graffiti you ask? Oh but we do. There is an online forum to report. To send emails, take pictures, submit on the online forum and then wait... for absolutley no one to come repaint. Actually, at one point someone did come and repaint after 4 months, the wrong color. Brown paint over grey. Then I went to another park, Cathedral Park, and they've repainted graffiti with grey on a green wall. Why can't they use grey paint on grey wall? Is there no green paint in this city?

If you have graffiti problems in Portland contact the coordinator:
Marcia L. Dennis
Graffiti Abatement Coordinator
Office of Neighborhood Involvement
1221 SW 4th Avenue, Room 110
Portland, OR 97204
Ph: 503-823-5860
Fax: 503-823-3050
www.portlandonline.com/oni
mdennis@ci.portland.or.us