Public Safety concerns on the MAX light rail (Portland, Gresham: to rent, crime rate) - City-Data Forum

JProg305 · 04-07-2009, 01:40 PM

Hello all, I am a native Floridian (but don't hold that against me

) that is seriously considering moving to the pacific northwest. I am trying to choose between Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver. I am educated (currently have an M.S. and am pursuing a Ph.D.), progressive/liberal, getting more into the outdoors, wanting to adopt a relatively car free lifestyle, etc. In the past couple of months I have heard about various assaults, robberies, etc., on Portland's MAX light rail system. In your opinion, how safe is it to ride the MAX? I am not particularly worried about crime as I've lived in much higher crime areas (originally from Miami, and have lived in D.C., and Kansas City), but I'd like to know if living car free in the Portland area is viable and safe. Also, if there is anyone who has lived in Vancouver B.C. or visited frequently, how does the light rail system compare (in it's accessibility, cost, coverage of the metro area, safety, etc.)? I'm having a hell of a time choosing between the three cities.

roneb · 04-07-2009, 03:18 PM

I've never lived in Vancouver BC, but visit fairly often. If you want cosmopolitan, as well as natural beauty that is easy to access, it tops the three. Can't speak to it's public transit as I haven't lived there; but it does seem from appearances to be good.

Portland has great public transit and is very bike friendly. You can definitely live here without a car. Options exist for getting out of town when you do need your own wheels. I wouldn't make to much of the MAX headlines. Yes it has happened (just like any other large city's transit system), but I've never felt unsafe riding it.

subsound · 04-07-2009, 03:47 PM

I can only really say something on the Max eastern part, which seems to be where a majority of the incidents seem to occur. From Galleria to Hollywood late at night I do not feel that safe, about 10pm and later (yes, I do travel around then downtown), you little packs of stupid people on there who like to be loud, belligerent, and annoying. The news like to play it up, but 99% of the time it's safe...the most during commuting times (mostly because you can barely move). There has been an increase in security presence on the max and at stops, though a recent hate beating happened.

I do personally think they need to do get rid of fareless square and make fare inspections more common, from the Oregonian The Max especially has 90% of the people are fare evaders who commit crimes and a often free roving home for people looking to be jerks (Dec 6th, 2007). Buses you see it less with the driver able to see and hear most things going on behind them if it gets to be a problem.

I don wonder how people view it going the other direction (out west to Beaverton) because it's been awhile since I really rode it out there, and I'm planning to move out that way soon. I felt better about it going out that way when I did, but it's been awhile.

JProg305 · 04-07-2009, 03:49 PM

Thanks for the feedback. I know that local news tends to sensationalize events that are uncommon. The local news in Miami is awful. Granted, Miami does have many more murders and much more violent crime in general than Portland. I can't wait to visit Portland. There is a good chance that I might be flying out in that direction in a month or so to do research on my dissertation so it's nice to know that I won't necessarily have to rent a car.

JProg305 · 04-07-2009, 03:52 PM

In general, what are the parts of Portland that have a bad reputation for crime. From my understanding, parts of Hillsboro, parts of Gresham, and parts of North and Northeast Portland have a reputation as high crime areas. Is this correct, or are there other areas that I haven't listed?

rosecitywanderer · 04-09-2009, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JProg305

In general, what are the parts of Portland that have a bad reputation for crime. From my understanding, parts of Hillsboro, parts of Gresham, and parts of North and Northeast Portland have a reputation as high crime areas. Is this correct, or are there other areas that I haven't listed?

It's mostly gang-related activity in the North parts of Portland and Gresham. But so long as you do dabble in their activities, you should be fine.

As far as Hillsboro goes, I can't honestly say the crime rate there is all too high.

BLAZER PROPHET · 04-09-2009, 07:58 AM

Portland, like all major cities, has it's fair share of violent crime. Despite the crime on MAX my thinking is that it's all part of living in the big city.

subsound · 04-09-2009, 09:10 AM

North/North East seems to have a good amount of crime activity compared to other areas (Lloyd where I live, Hollywood, St. Johns). Not going to be anything compared to DC, and the entire area is not going to be crime ridden....but there are better places to be.

I would put Aloha in with Hillsboro, not really the nicest place to be but not hell on Earth.

meltinjohn · 04-09-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subsound

North/North East seems to have a good amount of crime activity compared to other areas (Lloyd where I live, Hollywood, St. Johns). Not going to be anything compared to DC, and the entire area is not going to be crime ridden....but there are better places to be.

I would put Aloha in with Hillsboro, not really the nicest place to be but not hell on Earth.

Socialist subdivisions are hell on earth depending on where they exist out there.

JProg305 · 04-10-2009, 10:37 AM

Hi, all. Thanks for the feedback. Who would have thought a town named Aloha would be known for high crime rates. I guess it shouldn't surprise me. There are alot of high crime neighborhoods in Tampa and Miami that have cheery names. There's a rotten part of south Hialeah in Miami-Dade county that's called Suntan Village. All of the houses have paved over their front and back yards creating an urban heat island that can cause sunstroke in the dead of summer. All of the houses have iron bars on the windows too. It's not a good look.