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MattwithouttheT 🎩
@mathew
Story time. Last night, I was coming out of the gym and got into my car in the poorly lit gym parking garage. I heard a voice, and thought I had accidentally dialed someone on my phone. As I was fumbling to pull my phone out of my pocket, I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye. A (presumably) homeless woman, half-way conscious (whole-way high on fentanyl) was laying on the floor of my backseat. It scared the shit of me, and I jumped out of the car, yelled at her to "get the f*ck out of my car". She did, as she slurred apologies, though it took her a couple minutes because she was high AF and wedged between the seats (LOL). As startled and angry as I was in the moment, there was also a part of me that felt compassion and sympathy for this person. I feel like I've been grappling with this mix of emotions since. Only in Portland...
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Danica Swanson
@danicaswanson
Yikes. I would've been spooked too in that situation. Sorry you went through that. Glad no one was hurt! I've definitely had several close calls with really frightening situations with individuals on the streets of Portland, particularly on Tri-Met. Things have worsened in the past several years too. But like you, I can't help but feel compassion alongside the uneasy feelings. I mean, there are many reasons for homelessness... but for one thing, there simply aren't enough affordable homes for the population, and Portland can't build them fast enough.
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MattwithouttheT 🎩
@mathew
The Max is quite possible the worst, followed by the tri-met buses. Some of the people that get on there are very aggressive.
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Danica Swanson
@danicaswanson
Definitely. I don't drive, so I rely on walking, occasional rides with friends, and public transit. If I have to take Tri-Met I'd much rather take the streetcar than the MAX. Buses are pretty sketchy these days too. But as your experience demonstrates, people who drive are not exempt!
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