It is sad to hear you locals reference these changes to the area there.
WHEN did these camps actually become so large and invasive.
I believe one of you had mentioned that Covid had influenced, but any more you can add to allow us to better understand the environmental changes there is helpful...to me.
It was well on it's way to the area when covid hit. At that time, personally, I was going though a lot, DV, foster parent, divorce, and family in active addiction in both Vancouver and Portland. So I was already becoming familiar, and stunned, with this way of life. when Covid hit, and Measure 110 was approved....the BLM protests were every night, the gang members were doing street racing takeovers, (I accidentally went to one and was terrified) and everyone else was hiding inside their homes-keep in mind the west coast stayed in lockdown the longest
Kids who never went back to school after covid? No one looked for them. News said they moved or are homeschooled, and that is not factual. They are still right where they were. Living in trap houses. I know I sound dramatic, but the issue is staggering.
I know for me, the addicts that I knew ...well...they made up fake unemployment's claims, and ended up with thousands upon thousands which was all directly funneled into street life. I found out when I got child support from Oregon for my stepchild's from a parent who has never one time, ever, worked.
In the camps, they can sit and plan the next "lick" or theft, whether it is a store that cannot legally stop them, or someones personal home..who can't legally stop them. Functioning addicts use non functioning addicts to do a lot of theft
because they will never be prosecuted.
Arrests for dealers and possession are only a citation...sometimes they don't even take the drugs...most of the time, the dealer is a 15 year kid from Honduras who is back out in minutes.
The criminals own this part of the PNW. I know I sound dramatic, but I had a RV ten feet from my back patio two days ago spewing sewage down the street while smoke billowed out the cracked and broken windows....and nothing I can do to make them leave.
I am glad you asked, because I really don't think people who are not here can comprehend how bad our reality is now
ETA none of which is to detract from Cristina, just to kind of show how prevalent the crime is now here and how it is managed..or not managed, as the case may be. Never forget, Meshay melendez and Layla Stewart lost their lives here after years of documented abuse. Nothing prosecuted until they vanished
. I knew both Meshay and Layla, they are related to my SO