According to the Portland Bureau of Transportation, 70% of pedestrians killed by cars in 2021 were people experiencing homelessness.
Kristian Foden-Vencil / OPB
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler issued an emergency order earlier this month banning camping near busy roadways. This came after a report from the Portland Bureau of Transportation showed that 70% of pedestrians who were killed by cars last year were people experiencing homelessness. Several advocacy groups signed a letter decrying the policy and suggesting alternatives, such as reducing speed limits and increasing funding for more Portland Street Response teams. We talk about the effects of the new emergency rule with Katrina Holland, executive director of JOIN, a nonprofit serving people experiencing homelessness.
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