Portland's Lan Su Chinese Garden Erects Fence Amid Rising Crime in Old Town, Calls for Action Intensify

In a response to the ongoing vandalism and disturbances, Portland's Lan Su Chinese Garden has been enclosed by a chain-link fence. Elizabeth Nye, the garden's executive director, spoke on the issue, expressing frustration with the need for such measures, "This cannot be the long-term solution for Lan Su or for Old Town or for our city," she relayed to KGW. The encirclement is a clear sign that Old Town's issue with crime is reaching a tipping point, necessitating immediate yet inadequate solutions.

The garden, a serene escape within the city, is not insulated from the troubles without—troubles that include drug use and homelessness. These issues have increasingly spilled over into the garden property, said Nye, as detailed by OregonLive, who reported Nye having to constantly to grapple with a list of disruptive incidents. 

.A recent axe attack near the garden has only amplified calls for more concrete action. Nye hopes for a unified approach between the city and county to tackle the root of the issues plaguing Old Town, "My hope is that the city, the county, every leader comes together and actually works together with urgency to address the challenges that we’re still experiencing around all of the issues in Old Town. We need people to show up for us and for Old Town," Nye said according to KOIN. To reassure the community, Mayor Wheeler's spokesperson Cody Bowman stated Mayor Wheeler's commitment: “Mayor Wheeler is committed to supporting the Lan Su Chinese Garden and neighboring cultural institutions in Old Town,” Bowman said, going on to add that, “Mayor Wheeler’s team meets frequently with members from these organizations to help address ongoing livability and public safety issues disproportionately affecting these institutions and neighborhoods."

In response to the recent crime spree, the Portland Police Bureau and Oregon State Police have pledged to increase their presence in the area.