Very rude teens downtown... (Portland, Spray: to buy, to live in, legally) - Oregon (OR) - City-Data Forum

hose111 · 07-21-2011, 08:37 AM

ok, I've had it...I often enjoy walking around downtown since I've moved here. But there are always these kids (teens) who scream or try to make some noise to me. I don't know any of them of course, but they are trying to ruin my enjoying the city. The problem is it happens a lot. Also, while on most days I am able to ignore it, a few times it really upset me. Some days you really do not want someone to be saying this to you, you need to be left alone. So...need advice on this especially from others who have dealt with it. Frankly, it's becoming something that is really making me have to look out for this and don't think it's a good thing. These kids are not beggars, I have those people come to me. Some of those are rude...but I'm not taking about that. Thanks for any tips on this.

fearnofish · 07-21-2011, 09:53 AM

Carry some Pepper Spray and or get trained with a personal defense weapon and carry concealed (legally, I don't know Portland's CCW laws but I assume they are pretty strict since it is so liberal).

It is the gang or pack mentality. I am not saying they are a gang but people especially young adults or teens will act in a behavior that they would not normally do alone when there is a 'gang' of them around. They know there is protection in numbers and they know the Police will not do anything to them for just hollering at you. You can try reporting them to the cops everytime it happens but I would step inside a shop or store when you call the police.

This a prime reason I would not want to live in the downtown Portland area or any metro for that manner..

hamellr · 07-21-2011, 09:59 AM

They just want you to buy some drugs man. Just don't make eye contact and they won't bother you.

Nell Plotts · 07-21-2011, 10:07 AM

There are (or were) down town 'hosts'. I would advise them (or the police) of the behavior, including location and time. Their activities may have been captured on cameras. The police have a gang focused team. Once they feel the attention of the police I predict they will move along or engage in more subtle marketing (if it is drug oriented behavior).

hose111 · 07-21-2011, 11:25 AM

Thanks all for tips. I think hamell is right they probably were trying to get me to come to them for drugs. I am not interested but they think I may be. I didn't think of this but this makes sense now. I guess I won't be as upset next time, will simply smile at them..

Maroon197 · 07-21-2011, 11:34 AM

This is one thing that really stood out the last time I visited Portland. It really ruined the experience to a degree. To be honest, I've never really come across it in any other city...at least not nearly to the same extent.

Nell Plotts · 07-21-2011, 11:36 AM

Again, call it to the attention of the Police. We don't want that either.

UrbanAdventurer · 07-21-2011, 11:40 AM

Where did this happen? Portland is not a very rough place in the grand scheme of things.

fearnofish · 07-21-2011, 11:43 AM

The more similar reports the police get to an area will help solve the problem. You may go as far as going into the Police Department and requesting to talk to someone about the problem so you know someone 'up the chain of command' knows about the problem.

hose111 · 07-21-2011, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UrbanAdventurer

Where did this happen? Portland is not a very rough place in the grand scheme of things.

happens everywhere downtown, from my experience. Last night, in the middle of the beautiful Pearl..

probably more often around busy areas--the pearl, and I've had it often around pioneer square and around those areas. But it can happen other places (near voodoo for instance)