Portland mayor bans homeless camps on school walking routes

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has announced that the emergency declaration in place banning homeless camps near high-crash corridors will expand to designated safe walking routes used by school-aged children. KOIN-TV reports the declaration bans camping along “priority routes to and from schools” and near school buildings. Clearing homeless encampments will also be prioritized in areas around schools. Wheeler noted children, specifically those in elementary and middle school, are a vulnerable group that could be harmed by trash and biohazards frequently found in areas where people lacking permanent shelter are living, often in tents.