“I’m frustrated and upset,” Helmer said. “These aren’t protests. This is pure vandalism.”
Portland businesses dealt with a surge in property damage last summer as nightly protests consumed downtown, often leading to graffiti, window smashing and burning of debris and dumpsters. That led to an outcry from downtown business owners and prompted many to board up their windows.
In recent weeks, some businesses had expressed optimism that the worst of the vandalism was behind them and had started to make plans to take down boards. That’s a step business leaders and city officials have said is crucial to the recovery of downtown and the city.
But a recent resurgence in property damage over the last few weeks, committed by a small group of “black bloc” demonstrators, once more has business owners on edge. One business recently cited the ongoing vandalism as a factor in its decision to permanently close its downtown office and other businesses say they may leave when their lease is up.