PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) – Multiple people were arrested after police shut down what they called a longstanding “nuisance property” in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood last week.
On Thursday, Aug. 27, multiple agencies served two warrants at a property at 3254 Southeast 111th Avenue.
Police said the home had been abandoned for years, and had become a frequent location for squatters. Neighbors reported ongoing criminal activity including stolen vehicles, drug dealing, and disturbances.
During last week’s operation, 12 people in total were contacted at the home.
Police said five people were arrested:
Two on active felony warrants One based on probable cause related to ongoing stolen vehicle investigation in GreshamTwo additional people who barricaded themselves inside the home and refused commands to leave. Both tried to escape through the back of the home and were taken into custody.
Police did not release the names of those arrested.
Police also said 10 arrest warrants were cleared during the operation and one stolen vehicle was recovered from the property.
While officers were cleaning and searching the property, police said four bottle-fed kittens were found. Animal Control responded to care for and take custody of the kittens.
According to police, the conditions inside the home were extremely hazardous and unlivable. They say anyone found unlawfully occupying or entering the property may be arrested.
Neighbors say the a woman who owned the house moved to a care facility, and her grandson inherited the house. They say the grandson allowed the squatters to move in, but was eventually kicked out himself.
Kayhla Manning lives in the neighborhood, and remembers visiting with the old woman who used to own the home.
Since it was taken over by squatters, she has avoided walking by it.
“I would have to describe the house like a mini dumpster, she said. ”It was cars in and out, garbage everywhere; the neighborhood smelled like dead animals, human feces, and all that.”
The issues extended beyond the confines of the property.
“I’ve been sexually harassed by numerous people that would come in and out of that house,” Manning explained. “I know our gas tanks have been siphoned out. We’ve had numerous people walking up and down the street threatening to shoot people, threatening to stab people.”
She’s happy the home has finally been boarded up.
“Are we all going to have a barbecue, get together, have a block party to celebrate this? Because we’ve been waiting years for this.”
Mike Tracey, who has lived in the neighborhood for 12 years, said drug deals and prostitution are common at the property, and that he had even been shot at once while driving by.
“I was shot at by them,” he said. “Fired at by a 9-millimeter. We found the shells.”
Tracey said neighbors have repeatedly reported conditions at the property.
“We’ve called; many neighbors have called around here. They say, ‘Yeah, we’ll take care of it. We’ll put it in our notes.’ And that’s about as far as it goes.”
A representative with the City of Portland’s Permitting and Development department confirmed to FOX 12 that there have been seven code enforcement cases at the property since 2021.
Three of the cases have been closed with the violations “found and corrected,” and a noise complaint from a loud generator at the property resulted in a warning.
Three cases remain open. Documents show that earlier this year, a city inspector attempting to post a hearing notice due to multiple code violations was unable to do so after observing someone walking around the property with a crossbow.
The violations in the case included the building not having water or electricity. A person listed as the home’s owner by the County Tax Assessor was fined nearly $1,200 after failing to fix the violations.
Another case from July allowed last week’s mission to be executed, while a third case regarding improper storage of a trailer and an unauthorized auto repair business at the property has resulted in an over $130,000 lien.
Brandon Gorhan lives next door to the property, and says the squatters used both the front and back yard as a bathroom – causing the smell throughout the neighborhood.
He described his own experience dealing with them.
“They had been throwing trash in our yard,” he said. “I went over and scolded them, and they basically threatened to, you know, kill us…so we didn’t feel safe leaving the house when we’re about to go on vacation.”
While the home was fully boarded up and secured after last week’s operation, Gorhan says he had to call police again Monday, after people returned to the boarded-up property.
Now, he’s concerned it will be up to the community to monitor the home.
“If the Mayor’s house was the neighbor, would we allow the Mayor’s house to be next to that house?” he asked. “Would we allow that house to stand?”
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