Commissioner Ben West: Clackamas County Refuses to Follow Portland’s Decline — Public Safety First
Published on foxnews.com
A Fox News feature describes how crime and disorder have decimated Portland’s neighborhoods, turning the city into what Ben West calls a “hollowed out shell” of its former self. While Portland’s crime rates have spiked, surrounding areas like Clackamas have maintained stronger public safety — in part through enforcing law, funding police, and rejecting “soft-on-crime” approaches. West told the outlet that local policies anchored in “tough love” and refusing to enable destructive behavior help keep communities safer. He contrasted Clackamas’s outcomes with those in Portland by pointing to business closures, population decline, and widespread disorder in the city core. By emphasizing accountability and refusing to tolerate chaos, West positions Clackamas County as a model for how to resist urban decay. His commentary reinforces his overarching message: preserving order, ensuring safety, and empowering citizens through consistent law enforcement and governance.
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