Boarded windows return to downtown Portland ahead of Election Day

As Election Day nears, some downtown Portland businesses are taking precautions as they prepare for potential social unrest.

Banks, office buildings and some small businesses are reinforcing windows and doors with plywood, seeking to protect the properties from possible damage. On Thursday, construction workers buzzed about under Halloween drizzles as shoppers and office workers strolled by.

In an interview Thursday, downtown property owner Jordan Schnitzer compared the upcoming election to a sports game and said shifts in power should be met with resilience, not rage.

“If your sports team loses, do you go out and break windows?” Schnitzer said. “In this day and age to see that this type of behavior in America is so commonplace is heartbreaking,” Schnitzer added. “What kind of message are we sending to our young people?”

So far, he said he had spent about $20,000 boarding up three of his buildings, noting that the measures were more precautionary than anything.

“I hope and pray that there is no damage done to any building,” said Schnitzer.

Earlier this week, elected officials and police in Portland gathered to send a similar message. Mayor Ted Wheeler said Portland would not tolerate any criminal behavior that may accompany possible protests.

The Portland Police Bureau has said it has received no specific threats about unrest in Portland following the election. But the Police Bureau has also been preparing for potential protests just in case.

“In the last six or seven months, the majority of people expressing their First Amendment rights largely have done so without any problems,” Acting Assistant Chief Craig Dobson said Oct. 11. “No vandalism, no person crimes. That’s where we want to be, allowing them to peacefully and lawfully express their First Amendment right without interference from police.”

— Tyler Brown is a breaking news reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive. You can reach him at tbrown2@oregonian.com or 503-221-8243.