Commissioner Rene Gonzalez

Bob was a compassionate and tireless advocate who spent decades protecting Portland's natural environment. His passion for our city inspired so many, and he was always ready to advocate for a cleaner and better Portland. My heart goes out to Bob's family, friends, and everyone that worked with him. Bob, your legacy will live on in Portland - thank you for everything. oregonlive.com/environment/20…

This week, the City Council recognized October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We heard powerful stories from survivors and advocates. We were reminded that anyone can be affected, regardless of age, race, or background. Nationally, over 300,000 Americans will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and the Pacific Northwest has a higher-than-average diagnosis rate. Early detection saves lives. Unfortunately, most of us know a friend or family member who has fought or lost this battle, let’s continue to raise awareness and support those impacted by this disease.

katu.com/news/local/por… The opening of the North Portland TASS Site brings the City’s stock of sleeping units to almost 900, marking significant progress in our commitment to providing a pathway from life on the streets to hope and independence. This site, along with our Safe Rest Villages and the Clinton Triangle TASS Site, offer more than just shelter; they provide essential services, community, and hope. By prioritizing pod-style shelters with wraparound support services, the City is addressing not only immediate shelter needs but also empowering individuals to rebuild their lives. I'm committed to further supporting these pod-style shelters because they've proven their effectiveness and are making a difference every day.

oregonlive.com/crime/2024/10/… This news is deeply troubling, yet sadly unsurprising. It reflects the most serious consequences of years of underinvestment into our public safety systems. We have now reached a critical point where there are insufficient police officers and jail space to adequately protect our citizens. As a result, many Portlanders who fall victim to crime are denied the justice and peace of mind they deserve, knowing that their perpetrators remain at large and can harm others.

nbcnews.com/politics/2024-… I am deeply troubled by overnight reports of ballot drop boxes being ignited in Portland and Vancouver. There is no place in our democracy for political violence or interference with the votes of our citizens or our voting systems. I want to thank those who responded quickly. Fortunately, fire suppressant inside the affected ballot box in Portland protected virtually all the ballots. Any affected voters will be contacted by Multnomah County Elections Division. I am hopeful for the swift apprehension of those responsible, and I fully support our local and federal law enforcement in their efforts to uphold the integrity of our democratic process.

kptv.com/2024/10/25/pop… This isn’t just about disease prevention; it feels more like nihilism. I recently participated in a ride-along to observe the mobile deflection process. I was struck by how deeply enablement has become entrenched in our community. At the City, we are beginning to address this issue, but Portlanders urgently need other governments and NGOs to examine the negative consequences of their actions. Additionally, we must assess what tools we have to prevent further harm to our community. Portlanders want to support those struggling with addiction, a crucial first step is to stop doing things that prolong suffering and make the situation worse.

Thank you @ORStatePolice - these efforts likely saved many lives. To stem the tide of the fentanyl crisis in Portland, we need dramatic medical interventions and proactive law enforcement inside and outside the city. Police seize over 10 pounds of fentanyl and heroin en route to Portland oregonlive.com/crime/2024/10/…

I had the incredible opportunity to attend the first annual FiLAm Family FunFest this week. It was a beautiful celebration of Filipino culture, filled with delicious food, vibrant music, traditional dance, and heartwarming family fun. It was a true joy to experience the warmth of the Filipino community and see generations come together to honor Filipino heritage. Grateful for all the memories and the love shared! 🇵🇭✨ Thank you for the vibrancy and diversity this community brings to our beloved Portland.

I want to thank @PPS Maplewood Elementary for inviting me to spend time with their 4th graders in their "Let's Celebrate Reading" day today. Nothing inspires confidence (and elevates your energy level) quite like spending a morning with our next generation of Portlanders! It also reminded me that the work we do today making Portland a cleaner and safer city for all will set this generation up for a bright and stable future too. It was a pleasure to start my day with you!

oregonlive.com/nation/2024/09… San Francisco is seeing cleaner public spaces and more optimistic small business owners due to Governor Newsom and Mayor Breed's enforcements against unsanctioned street camping. Similarly in Portland, we've greatly expanded our shelter capacity in recent years but are still held back from meaningful enforcement due to House Bill 3115. If San Francisco (and Seattle) can make progress on cleaning up their cities without facing the same barriers - Portland should be able to do the same.

koin.com/local/multnoma… Thrilled to see the 1:1 staffing model for County ambulances is showing improved response times and outcomes. This issue has been crucial for Portlanders, particularly our seniors, those living with health challenges, and our first responders. These improvements are the result of collaboration/advocacy by the cities of Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, and many other East County jurisdictions. Thanks to the urgency and persistence of my office, @SMeieran, @PDXFire Chief Gillespie, countless others, and with the support of @BrimJulia and Vince Jones-Dixon, Multnomah County residents are finally getting to emergency rooms quicker and receiving the care they deserve. Portlanders are eager to see these positive trends continue.

kgw.com/article/news/l… This story is not only heartbreaking, but utterly unacceptable in a modern-day American city. We must urgently get folks off the streets, indoors, and connected to vital services (she needed more than a friend and a tarp). The constant cycle of tragedies has become so normalized that many remain silent and accept this status quo. No, we need immediate action, not more committees, studies, plans, etc. We cannot afford to wait years for constantly-shifting thresholds of shelter/affordable housing to begin enforcement on our streets. We need enforcement in moving people from unsanitary street conditions into safety and care. While compassion is essential, accountability is crucial. Many of the individuals mentioned in this story later rejected all offers of help from our dedicated @PDXFire CHAT Teams even following this distressing episode. This young woman and her new baby have been in my thoughts and I send her strength that she will persevere. Portland, we must do better than this, we're shaping the "normal" for our next generation right now.

Portlanders are ready to move on from government-supplied tents and tarps. This policy began early in the pandemic when congregate shelters put folks at risk. But the time is now for Multnomah County and the Joint Office of Homeless Services to reel it in and invest in shelters that get people off the street at an unprecedented rate. The City spends millions of dollars each year removing unsanctioned camps in our settlement to keep rights-of-way clear for Portlanders with disabilities, and roughly 40% of Portland Fire's workload and fire injuries/deaths are due to unsanctioned camps. I made a proposal to the Homelessness Steering & Oversight Committee to ensure these distributions are exceedingly rare - but when done ensure actual safety and accountability. Tents should be a very last resort - reserved for periods of severe weather or when damaged during camp removals only. They should be weather-resistant, smaller, and clearly labeled as to who provided them. Distributors must collect names and locations of recipients - for follow-ups and connection to services, and must publicly report how many were handed out each month. MultCo and JOHS must expedite their production of shelter beds and finally get folks off our streets. I look forward to a committee vote on my proposal as soon as possible. opb.org/article/2024/0…

It’s official, the @WNBA is coming to Portland in 2026! This City Council is thrilled and can't wait to cheer on our new team at Moda Center. This is a huge win for women’s sports and lifts the spirit of our city. Portland already stands out in our support for professional women's sports and I expect the same enthusiasm for @wnbaportland. Portlanders will have their backs and this alone will make them an unstoppable force!

It was another marvelous weekend of community engagement! From shopping at the Belmont Street Fair to the reopening and celebration of Sellwood Community House's 5th anniversary and recovery from January's winter storm. It was fantastic to be with so many Portlanders out supporting our local small businesses and gathering as neighbors. We're all in this together, Portland.

Got anything going on tonight? Come out to the 7th Portland Fire vs Portland Police Charity Soccer Match held at Providence Park! #yourportlandfirefighters are looking forward to this game returning after a 5-year hiatus. See you there!

Portland's natural beauty has been overwhelmed by widespread vandalism like graffiti covering our street signs and small businesses. As Commissioner, I have committed to restoring our sense of pride and security. To stop further visible decline, we must have stronger deterrence for vandalism. Unfortunately, the current lack of consequences for these perpetrators has emboldened them. I'll be bringing forward an ordinance that introduces meaningful penalties for vandals that apply graffiti using our rights-of-way. Portlanders are ready for visible progress on cleaning up our city. wweek.com/news/2024/09/1…