
Lars Larson: ‘When even the presence of police doesn’t deter criminal violence … you know it’s bad’
Lars Larson
The Northwest Nonsense
I guess you could say Portland and Seattle are doing a “bang up” job of making their downtowns safe … lots of bangs if you’re foolish enough to go there.

This past weekend, two people shot in Portland’s Old Town-Chinatown, a man and a woman. They’ll survive, we’re told.
In Seattle a few days earlier, a man in a wheelchair, shot in the chest. He’s on the mend too. That shooting happened on the shiny new waterfront development that Seattle just spent 800 million bucks on.
Prospects for the two cities seem dim lately.
The “Big Pink” bank tower in Portland fire-saled at a nearly 90 percent discount from its value just ten years ago. The new Ritz Carlton hotel and condos in bankruptcy. Big retailers fleeing and those who can’t afford to leave boarding up their storefronts against Antifa terrorists who have friends at City Hall.
Nordstrom hints it may not keep its signature store at Pioneer Courthouse Square much longer because of crime and filth.
Police have been defunded. And this seems telling to me…police were actually watching the crowd where that shooting happened over the weekend.
When even the presence of police doesn’t deter criminal violence … you know it’s bad.
Also read:
- Opinion: New study – Washington’s homelessness problem is worse than you think (and avoidable)New data reveals Washington ranks first in chronic homelessness and per-capita overdose deaths nationwide.
- Opinion: Tax day is painful enough without Washington adding its ownWashington’s new 9.9% income tax mirrors federal pattern: start narrow, expand to hit everyone within years.
- Letter: ‘Public trust in elections isn’t maintained by repeating talking points’Camas resident demands answers after ballots discovered next to trash can, endorses Quiring O’Brien for auditor.
- Opinion: Tax day is painful enough without Washington adding its ownWashington’s new 9.9% income tax mirrors federal pattern: start narrow, expand to hit everyone within years.
- POLL: What do you believe is the biggest reason school districts are facing budget shortfalls?Districts across Washington warn of budget gaps as debate grows over rising costs versus inadequate state funding.







