Counterprotesters Quell a Planned “Block Party” in Kenton Intended to Discourage RV and Car Campers
A post appeared Friday evening on the social media app Nextdoor in a group called “Protect Our Neighborhoods—PDX” announcing a block party intended to irritate people living in RVs and other vehicles on a North Portland street.
The post, from a woman who lives in the Kenton neighborhood, was a flyer for a Saturday afternoon event. She placed it in a Nextdoor group that has 303 members.
The flyer was adorned with cartoon houses and balloons. It read: “Block Party Saturday—make noise and discourage the new RVs. 1 pm this Saturday, bring snacks, drinks, chairs, loud instruments, stereos—let’s be loud and obnoxious for the campers and say hi to our neighbors while we do it.”
I am hoping People for Portland will help! It’s my only hope for our city right now. There has to be a better solution to these camps other than neighbors gathering to annoy the campers possibly causing conflict and others defending camps without regard for property owners. Property owners pay taxes and have worked hard for their homes. How do we change the laws to help protect our city from the garbage and crime and at same time provide support to people who truly need it? Not just people who would rather live in an RV or a tent than work. How do we change the form of our local government enabling a capable mayor to have more control and with a government structure that is not weakened with authority divided by commissioners? This is not an effective form of local government. This problem will not be solved by volunteers or neighborhood groups. We need more effective city leadership and to change the laws so we can move camps out of neighborhoods, schools and businesses.