🌱 Private Security + Lead In Drinking Water + Lethal Streets

Top o' the morning to you, my friends! Though, admittedly, I have no idea when you're reading this. It's First Thursday, so there's a lot going on. We're having a beautiful December and I'm so excited to tell you about today in Portland!

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy with a high of 51 makes for a more than acceptable December day. How's that for some weather?

Here are the top stories today in Portland:

1. Rising crime and a reduced police force has downtown business owners taking matters into their own hands and hiring private security firms. While few could blame them, these firms are notoriously underregulated, and their employees are required to receive a fraction of the training and oversight as public law enforcement. Over a hundred pages of police records reviewed by OPB show that, in the last year and a half, private security guards have batoned a homeless woman and torn apart a homeless camp without reporting the incidents, tried to kick sleeping campers off a public sidewalk without legal grounds to do so, and repeatedly made demonstrably false statements to law enforcement. (OPB News)
2. The Portland Water Bureau detected lead in the water of certain homes at a high enough level they were required to notify the public. The water bureau detected 21 parts per billion, 6 parts higher than EPA requirements to notify the public. In a release, PWB said the current test results are part of a regional monitoring program that includes the bureau and these water districts: Burlington, Lorna, Palatine Hill, Pleasant Home, Raleigh, Valley View and West Slope. (KOIN.com)
3. With the increased concern that has risen over the new COVID variant Omicron, public venues in Portland are getting serious about checking vaccination status. The Oregon Health Authority may have given them a new way to do that. It would work by letting people use a code on their phone as verification for places that require it. Those who choose to participate would put their information in to get the vaccine records. They then would get a smart health card code and can then share it with a business or entity like the Moda Center or restaurants that require it. (KPTV)
4. With the eviction crisis in Portland still growing and rental assistance programs overwhelmed, Governor Kate Brown has called the Oregon Legislature back for a special session on Dec. 13th. Announced by her office in a press release on Tuesday, Brown hopes to address eviction protections for renters. Brown is also urging legislators to begin laying the groundwork for more locally-driven eviction prevention services to transition to after federal pandemic emergency programs end. (KOIN)
5. Despite Portland's continued efforts at improving safety on its streets and highways, the city has seen the highest number of traffic fatalities in 30 years. Sergeant Ty Engstrom is PPB's only full-time traffic officer. He said there have been 62 fatal crashes on Portland roadways since the start of 2021. That's compared to 58 crash fatalities in 2020, which was the highest number the city had seen since 1996 with 59. "Our plea to the community is to please drive safely, walk safely and share the roads appropriately," Engstrom said. (KGW)

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Today in Portland:

• If there's one thing we can count on Portland for, it's great beer. If you need proof, just go to the Pine Street Taproom for its Winter Ale Fest. It will have 24 different breweries on tap that include a variety of holiday beers and ciders. Per state regulations - masks must be worn indoors when not seated at your table to eat/drink regardless of vaccination status. The beer starts pouring at 11:00 AM.
• Those with disabilities who wish to stay physically active may be interested in the Adaptive Climbing Night at Planet Granite Portland. This is a climbing group creating an inclusive, friendly space for people with disabilities to get up the wall with fellow climbers. They welcome anyone to engage with and support the adaptive community. Come belay for them and get up the wall yourself. Any & all experience & ability levels are welcome. 6:00 - 8:00 PM.
• Swift Cider in NE Portland will be hosting an open mic night at its taproom. It will be rotating musical and comedic events on Thursdays each week. Reach out if you are interested or sign up here! 7:00 - 8:30 PM.
• As I said, it's First Thursday, so if art is your jam, you'll have no trouble seeing some. If abstract art is of particular interest, consider visiting PDX Suite Spot in downtown Portland. Attend this phenomenal experience curated by Portland’s own Bobby Fouther. This joint art show will consist of works from Kali Hoesch, Roy Ettinger and Sam Klein. 7:00 - 9:00 PM.
• Get your dance on at the Coffin Club in SE Portland with tits Shadowplay night. With no cover charge and DJ Crankenstein spinning the tunes, how can you go wrong? The fun starts at 10:00 PM.
• For a sure night of fun, head to Kell's Irish Pub in downtown Portland for its Drag Queen Bingo! This one-off charity night asks supporters of the Cascade AIDS Project to dress up in red and fill out cards for a good cause. Local hostess and performer Katya will provide the wit and the numbers. 6:00 - 8:00 PM.

From my notebook:

• Portland Trail Blazers: "@b_mclemore23 was ready when his number was called 💯" (Instagram)
• Travel Portland: "@PortlandMercado is not just a hub for Latino culture and local entrepreneurship, but one of the most unique and vibrant places in Portland to visit. It's home to a neighborhood grocery store, meat market, coffee shop and food cart pod w..." (Instagram)
• Portland Audubon: "What's a sapsucker? A sapsucker is a name given to the woodpecker genus Sphyrapicus because these birds create sap wells in trees to feed off the sap. A sapsucker's tongue has stiff hairs to help capture sap, and is shorter and extends l..." (Facebook)
• The 2021 Oregon Beer Showdown is still ongoing, though the contenders have been whittled down to 8 beers. Last year's champion — actually, the champion over the last two years — Ecliptic hopes to extend its streak. To do so, it must get past Wayfinder, which ousted the mighty Deschutes in the round of 16. Here is the current breakdown of the no holds barred match. (KGW)
• This weekend, the Portland Street Response is hosting an awareness event at Lents Park to let people know how they can help. Haika Mushi, the Community Engagement and Outreach Manager for PF&R and Aaron Brown, director of Portland Open Bible Community Pantry joined AM Extra to talk about the event. (KOIN)
• You know crime is getting bad when you have to watch out for your shoes getting stolen! If you're a frequent foodie at Cartlandia, you may remember seeing a human sized, neon colored shoe that was equipped with a basketball hoop for kids to play ball with. On the morning of Thanksgiving at 4:00 a.m., surveillance video of the second attempt shows three people entering the space with a flat bed cart in tow, after multiple attempts, they lifted the object onto the cart and took off. (KPTV)
• This season, many noteworthy visual art exhibitions and memorable creative maker events spotlight our dynamic art community before we embrace the end of 2021. Art is happening all across the city in multiple sites, including galleries, museums, and alternative venues that touch our daily lives, like coffee shops, retailers, and personal dwellings. Here are ten arts events you won’t want to miss this winter in Portland. (The Portland Mercury)

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Wow! So much happening and so many holidays going on! Pace yourself and enjoy the moment. I'll keep bringing you news and events of Portland, so meet me here tomorrow for another Portland Patch. If you're feeling these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors on board. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Dominic Anaya

About me: Doctor, educator and now a writer/artist, I'm just chillin' in Portland, OR with my wife, our ferrets, our chickens and our goats.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Portland Daily? You can contact me at portland@patch.com.