A majority of Portland voters would move to another city if given the chance, a new poll shows, after defunding the police led to spikes in homelessness and crime in the West Coast city .
In fact, the issue has become so dire that the owner of Oregon's largest office building, the US Bancorp Tower, must turn to a solution. security robot for guard his property.
The autonomous device named “Rob” is 6 feet tall, weighs 420 pounds and patrols the perimeter of the parking garage next to the downtown building 24/7.
It can't call 911, but it has 4K cameras, thermal imaging cameras, can read license plates, provides alerts “when prohibited persons are on site” and has a two-way intercom system that allows the public to speak to the security desk.
Unico Properties, the tower's landlord, declined to disclose how much Rob costs, but a similar K5 robot, made by the same California robotics company, costs as much as $1,200 per week to operate.
The majority of Portland voters would consider leaving the city if given the chance, a poll found, after defunding the police led to spikes in crime and widespread homelessness.
In fact, the issue has become so dire that the owner of Oregon's largest office building, the US Bancorp Tower, has had to turn to a security robot to guard his property.
Unico Properties and Portland Street Art Alliance this week unveiled a city-funded, 100-foot mural that adorns the walls of the U.S. Bancorp Tower parking garage.
The mural is constantly monitored by security robot Rob as a way to improve safety in the area that has 'really suffered' since the pandemic.
“It's like you're communicating with a human because there's a human on the other end,” claimed Keren Eichen of Unico Properties.
'If you stop and talk to the robot, you know there is someone on the other side who can answer your questions, who can show you the way, who can tell you happy holidays.
“This is easier than deploying security personnel because he doesn't get tired or cold.”
Eichen added that her company was working with the city to make the part of downtown Portland “a beautiful, walkable, must-see destination for locals and visitors alike.”
The robot is the first of its kind to be deployed in Portland.
Officials in Portland cut millions from police budgets in June 2020 following the Black Lives Matter protests and the growing “defund the police” movement.
The autonomous device named Rob is 6 feet tall, weighs 420 pounds and patrols the perimeter of the parking garage next to the downtown building 24/7.
It can't call 911, but it has 4K cameras, thermal imaging cameras, can read license plates, provides alerts 'when prohibited persons are on site' and has a two-way intercom system that allows the public to speak to the security desk
But after a rise in crime, homelessness and drugs in the city, Portland officials changed course and increased the city's $230 million police budget by $5.2 million a year later.
However, according to a poll commissioned by the Portland Police Union, more than half of Portland voters would still consider leaving the city if they could afford to.
It found that almost two-thirds of people believe the city is 'on the wrong track' and 68 per cent say it is 'losing what made it special'.
While 74 percent worry that they or their family members will become victims of crime in the city, 87 percent are dissatisfied with the state of public safety.
About 70 percent said the city needs more police officers and nearly 80 percent said crime has increased in Portland.
Portland officials cut millions from police budgets in June 2020 following the Black Lives Matter protests and the growing “defund the police” movement
But after a rise in crime, homelessness and drugs in the city, Portland officials changed course and increased the city's $230 million police budget by $5.2 million a year later.
Mayor Ted Wheeler has insisted that crime has declined in most categories this year.
Mayor Ted Wheeler has insisted that crime has declined in most categories this year.
“This city has been through a lot of trauma,” he said. “My message to people who are disillusioned is twofold.
“First, I hear you and I sympathize with your frustration with what the city has been through.
“I would also encourage you to stay, because the tide has already turned.”
Between October 2022 and October 2023, 71,216 crimes were committed, including 96 murders, 544 sexual offences, 25,233 theft offenses and 1,352 robberies.
While 66,038 crimes were committed between October 2019 and October 2020, including 54 murders, 640 sexual offences, 25,623 theft offenses and 1,105 robberies.
DailyMail.com has contacted the Portland City Council and Unico Properties for comment.