A New Answer To the Crisis On Our Streets
Today, I was proud to share the stage in announcing that Portland Street Response is officially expanding citywide with a new answer for mental health and addiction related 911 calls. We listened to the crisis on the streets, to affected businesses, and to our public safety officials to design and implement the first major change to Portland's first responder system in a 100 years. I am honored to have worked side-by-side with our community to successfully persuade City Council to join me in its creation and continue to demand it's expansion and full funding.
Together, with your support, we challenged the status quo and won! We are grateful to the strong coalition that has worked tirelessly to bring this into reality, and our Portland Fire & Rescue Bureau where the program is housed. We are aligned with our Police Bureau, which will benefit from being able to "refocus" on violent criminals and strengthen the city's ability to address the mental health crisis on our streets.
We have 7 weeks until the May 17th Primary Election, and need your support to protect and make permanent Portland Street response. I need your help. I hope you would consider an extra commitment to:
Signup to Text bank or Phone bank. Our campaign offers 15 minute orientations, and then you can contact voters independently throughout the week.
Doorknock with us, or on your block. We'll provide literature and provide some helpful coaching.
Host a virtual Meet & Greet with 10+ of your undecided or lukewarm supportive friends directly with Jo Ann for a 30 minute Zoom and Q&A.
Thank you for all you've done and I hope we connect on the campaign trail.
Jo Ann Hardesty
P.S. Here are several highlights from the pilot project:
22.5% reduction in police response to calls involving typically involving people experiencing homelessness - things like non-emergency welfare checks and "unwanted persons" calls.
Agreement in the new Police Union contract on expanding and integrating Portland Street Response.
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden is leading an effort for national funding to move forward similar models.
