Nike Closes Home-State Store After Dem Mayor Denies Extra Security
Nike is planning to permanently shut down its store in Northeast Portland, Oregon due to ongoing criminal activity and safety concerns, as reported by OregonLive.
The American footwear and apparel giant, Nike, originally based in Oregon, had temporarily closed the store to the public for most of 2023. However, it remained uncertain whether this closure would be permanent, as per OregonLive. This decision by the company comes after Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler rejected a request in February to provide off-duty police officers to safeguard the store from the increasing criminality in the city.
In recent years, the city has been plagued by drug-related issues and crime, despite its progressive approach to criminal justice and addressing drug addiction. According to reports from the City Journal and KGW8, there has been a 300% increase in shootings and homicides between 2019 and 2022, a 50% spike in robberies in 2022 alone, all-time high levels of vehicle thefts, and an expected 300 drug overdose deaths this year. Additionally, requests for graffiti removal have surged by 500% between 2020 and 2022.
According to OregonLive, John Washington, the executive director of the Soul Business District Association, expressed concerns about the store closure's impact on local businesses in the area. He questioned the decision to close down a flagship store that had supported the Black community in Portland for over four decades, emphasizing its role as an economic driver.
OregonLive reported that Nike informed Washington that the reason for their departure was safety and security issues.
Portland Mayor Wheeler expressed disappointment about Nike's decision to not reopen the location and stated that his team had collaborated with the company in good faith to address their safety and criminality concerns. He mentioned that he declined the request for off-duty officers in March due to a shortage of law enforcement personnel in the city, as reported by local outlet Fox 12 Oregon.
Portland had initially reduced funding for its police force during the George Floyd riots in the summer of 2020 but later increased funding in 2021 in response to a shortage of officers and rising crime rates, according to PBS.
According to OregonLive, Nike has indicated that it will consult with local community organizations and leaders to determine a suitable new location. The company has also mentioned that it is offering options to its employees at the current location to remain a part of the Nike family.