Editor’s
Note: The article referenced in the following column was not an editorial, but
a recent opinion piece penned by Source columnist Bruce Miller and represented his opinion, not those of the newspaper.
The Source has not taken a
position about downtown loitering and panhandling. The Source has
and always will be a major supporter of local, independent businesses and a
vital downtown core.
What does The
Source have against downtown merchants?
I’m writing
in reaction to your latest negative editorial about downtown Bend merchants.
Recently, you derided our complaints about panhandlers downtown, now you’ve
done the same regarding our problems with “kids.” Why are you even writing
about merchant complaints when you deem the complaints so unworthy? Could it be
because you feel you have to stand up for absolutely anything you call
“alternative,” even when alternative means hurtful, disrespectful, threatening
or even criminal?
As a
downtown merchant, I have nothing against kids or any other age or socioeconomic
group. What I have a problem with is anyone who negatively affects my business
and the general atmosphere downtown. Bend is a tourist economy. The downtown
merchants are a big part of making Bend a place that people return to time and
time again. Those of us who are left standing in the wake of economic meltdown
work incredibly hard to stay afloat and certainly have a right to address any
issues we feel are impacting business downtown. Are we supposed to address
things only when someone has been “mugged, raped and stabbed”? No. Are we
supposed to complain every time we see a “kid” with a plug through his nose? Of
course not. We address issues in between those two extremes, sometimes in a
gray area that doesn’t allow us to bother the police with an official call.
Last week I
had a group of four “kids” (we’re really talking mid 20s) sitting up against my
storefront, legs stretched across the sidewalk, swearing loudly, displaying a
panhandling sign, and holding a pitbull. I let them hang out for two hours, not
wanting to hassle them for just being young people and then get my windows
bashed in. Again, most of the time we can’t call the police because the kids
aren’t technically breaking any law, and because we don’t want to risk any
retaliation. I finally called the police when they all began smoking (which you
can’t within 10 feet of a business) and audibly joking among themselves that
“we’re probably killing business,” as I watched my potential customers try to
step over the kids’ legs and walk out into the street to avoid the dog. Later,
after the cop left, I cleaned up their trash and swept up all of their butts.
The next day, I had new graffiti on my window. Coincidence?
So
according to you, I’m being some sort of old “burgher” who can’t deal with
young people who might look different. I really don’t care what they look like.
I care about their actions. All we ask for is respectful actions and common
decency toward others and toward businesses. Why would you hold that against
us? You say “somehow it’s always the young folks who take the rap for causing
the ‘disturbance’.” You say that middle-aged and old people can be obnoxious,
too. Next time I have a group of 60-somethings hanging out in front of my shop
for hours on end trying purposely to kill business, I’ll be sure to let you
know. The kids take the rap because they are the ones we witness day in and day
out purposely trying to be shocking, obnoxious and threatening. Why don’t they
realize that no one will give them money when they are, A) smoking, B) holding
a scary dog and, C) swearing loudly in front of little tourist kids? Why not be
creative and try something like playing an instrument, painting, miming,
juggling or whatever else? Then you might actually make a buck as you attract
an audience that helps merchants as well. Bring it on! I’ve got no problem with
“alternative” as long as it’s positive for all involved. Oh, but wait, then
you’d have to write something positive about downtown, and negative sells
better doesn’t it?
If you were
to move The Source Weekly offices down a few blocks, you
guys wouldn’t last a week in July without joining your fellow downtown
businesses to find constructive solutions to issues that affect downtown
business. After all, a lot of us advertise with The Source, so these issues
affect you, too. Please don’t assume we are all just old fuddy duddies who sit
around and complain about “kids these days.” Believe me, we’ve got better
things to do like riding out the recession. It sure would be easier if we had
your support rather than your constant insistence that downtown merchants have
problems with anything and everything out of the so-called mainstream. Talk
about stereotyping a group of people. Hello pot, this is the kettle calling.
The author is the owner of Bend Bungalow, a downtown retailer
specializing in home décor.
This article appears in Jul 30 – Aug 5, 2009.
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I’m from a more rural part of central oregon, and I enjoy downtown bend, and this store in particular. I’ve watched it over the years as it has doggedly moved location in downtown to better ensure its survival. Unfortunately, it has now moved into the most congested and heavily used portion of Wall Street – both a good and bad thing.
The complaints remind me of a few years back when I took my daughter tubing on the deschutes river at Old Mill. The amount of swearing and rudeness from some of the river users was unbelievable. I don’t visit as often anymore because of this type of behaviour.
A hearty amen and thanks to Karen for taking the time to respond to HBM’s shallow screed. Like most downtown merchants I doubt she really has the time to burn defending herself and her fellow business owners who make downtown Bend what it is; a unique, vibrant and vital part of Bend’s character, economy and culture.
You’d think that someone who’s own entrepreneurial effort died in infancy would have more empathy for what it takes to make a business work.
If those same kids were doing the exact same thing a few hours later, especially outside “Boondocks” the Bend Police, who seem to regard themselves as the taxpayer-funded, armed response team for late night bars’ bouncers would be there in nanoseconds… hmmmm, a retainer perhaps?