Coffee Shop Closes its Doors in Portland Citing ‘Extreme Violence’ and ‘Criminal Activity’
Coava Coffee Roasters on Instagram
A coffee shop with several locations surrounding Portland, Oregon has announced that it will be closing its downtown storefront after years of enduring “extreme violence” and “criminal activity on an almost daily basis.”
Coava Coffee Roasters released a statement, depicting the safety hazards shop owners, employees, and patrons have grown accustomed to in large metropolitan cities around the U.S. in recent years.
“The team members at this cafe have been on the front line enduring extreme violence and criminal activity on an almost daily basis for the last few years– crime and violence that is only increasing in frequency and severity. From theft, to physical displays of violence, threats of harm, break-ins, window smashing, and repeated traumatic in-cafe incidents where both staff and patrons feel unsafe.”
In 2020, the Black Lives Matter organization used George Floyd’s death to stir up civil unrest, and protests often became riots, causing more than $2 billion in damages. According to Justice Department data, more than 700 police officers were injured while attempting to de-escalate protests. More than 150 federal buildings were vandalized or burned to the ground altogether.
During a six-week period in 2020, Portland police officers reported more than 100 arson incidents around the city and dozens of broken windows to businesses and courthouses. $4.8 million in property damage was caused by the constant protests, vandalism, and violence in the name of “social justice.”
Like Coava Coffee Roasters, many downtown business owners either assumed or hoped that the unrest would be temporary, but after nearly three years, they have come to realize that the situation isn’t changing any time soon.
“We have brought all the resources to bear that we have access to: doubling up on shifts, locking one entrance, de-escalation training, hazard pay, and heightened management oversight. This has proven to not be a temporary situation—and it is not a situation we can manage,” Coava Coffee Roasters said in their statement. “We cannot continue operation here as we cannot ensure the safety of our team and customers.”
The coffee shop continued, “Our neighboring businesses have seen it, too – and we’ve watched them close one by one over the past few years. Sadly, we now join them.”
Portland was at the forefront of the “defund the police” movement, and activists continue to push for cash bail reform and use donor funds to set criminals free while they await their court dates. A local outlet in Portland found that 39 of 67 individuals bailed out of jail by the Portland Freedom Fund were not present on their court date, and had warrants issued for their “re-arrest.”
Justice has a more equitable perspective in progressive cities, and career criminals are viewed as victims of the system, rather than the individuals who victimize others.
In addition to crime, homelessness and drug use also run rampant in the city, creating a hostile environment for storeowners and would-be customers.
