The Office of Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler reported that 35 drug dealers operating in the downtown area have been apprehended by the police since February 1.

According to a spokesperson from the mayor’s office, the majority of these individuals were either promptly released from custody or not subjected to prosecution. The city is actively working on enhancing the capacity of the system to ensure a more substantial impact from these arrests.

Furthermore, they expressed their anticipation for the governor’s signature on a House bill that will render fentanyl possession illegal, marking a significant step in combating drug-related issues.

Meanwhile, the Central Bike Squad issues approximately 10 Measure 110 tickets daily. In conjunction with these tickets, officers also provide resource cards to assist individuals in seeking treatment for their drug-related challenges.

Unsurprisingly, this news may not exactly sit well with locals who have questioned the effectiveness of Portland’s stance on drug related crimes. On Twitter, one person wrote, “No information on how they were arrested or why they were released? Seems like questions that need answers.” And, with elections not too far away it looks as though new, tougher rules could be put in place to tackle drug dealing which has been a blight on the city for quite some time now.