Portland, Oregon, issued an unprecedented directive to its residents. The city’s safety commissioner, Rene Gonzalez, took to social media to urge citizens not to call 911 unless they are facing a life-or-death emergency or witnessing a crime in progress.
This startling development is a stark reminder of the unintended consequences of progressive policies. The city’s 911 system, according to Gonzalez, was overwhelmed due to a surge in calls related to multiple overdoses in the northwest park blocks.
The situation was so dire the city had to resort to asking its residents to refrain from calling 911 for non-emergencies. Instead, they were advised to use a different number, 503-823-3333, for non-life-threatening situations.
Portland business owner 'not shocked' as 911 system overwhelmed by overdoses: 'People dying in our streets' https://t.co/tnOjdVFvQb
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 5, 2023
This crisis in Portland’s emergency response system is a direct result of the city’s progressive policies.
Measure 110, which decriminalized the possession of drugs and reduced many felonies to misdemeanors, was intended to provide support services to addicts. However, the arrival of COVID-19 curtailed these efforts, leading to an uptick in drug-related emergencies.
The irony of this situation is not lost on observers. Citizens pay taxes with the expectation that the police will respond when they call. Yet, in Portland, a city known for its progressive stance, residents are being told not to call 911 unless it’s a matter of life and death.
This raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the city’s policies and their impact on public safety.
Moreover, this incident serves as a grim reminder of the broader implications of progressive policies. While these policies may be well-intentioned, they often lead to unforeseen consequences.
In this case, the decriminalization of drugs, coupled with a lack of adequate support services, resulted in a surge in drug-related emergencies, overwhelming the city’s 911 system.
Portland's public safety commissioner says don't call 911 unless you're at risk of death. What is wrong with Portland? pic.twitter.com/DaoZHhhVEm
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) October 5, 2023
The situation in Portland is a microcosm of a larger trend unfolding across the United States.
As crime surges and resources dwindle, certain parts of the country are regressing into a state reminiscent of the wild west. This is a sobering reminder that policies have real-world consequences, and it’s the citizens who bear the brunt of these consequences.
As we continue to monitor the situation in Portland, let this be a lesson to us all. Policies should not just be evaluated on their intentions, but also on their outcomes. And as the city of Portland is learning, sometimes those outcomes can be far from what was originally intended.
