Keeping Downtown Public Spaces Clean, Safe, and Welcoming for All
Our collective efforts focus on maintaining the vitality of this 273-block area in the city center, ensuring it remains a dynamic and vibrant meeting place for shopping, dining, exploration, and an excellent place to call home. Together, we create an inviting and lively atmosphere that enriches the lives of everyone in our community.
Cleaning
Downtown Portland Clean & Safe partners with Central City Concern’s Clean Start Program to keep downtown clean seven days a week. Clean Start crews sweep sidewalks, remove graffiti, pick up litter, and pressure wash outdoor surfaces throughout the district. In addition to their daily routes, crews respond to immediate service requests from downtown businesses.
Established in 1996, Clean Start is a homeless-to-work employment program that trains, mentors, and employs workers who are formerly homeless or have other barriers to employment. What began with one truck and four employees has grown to more than 130 workers providing essential services across Portland.
Hours of Operation for Cleaning Services:
Our cleaning services are available Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Public Safety
GardaWorld’s trained security professionals collaborate closely with the Portland Police Bureau and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office to create a coordinated approach that combines professional security services with community-focused assistance and connection to social services. Together, we’re creating a safe environment where everyone can work, live, and visit downtown with confidence.
Creating a safe environment for everyone is one of our top priorities. Downtown Portland Clean & Safe partners with GardaWorld to provide enhanced public safety services across our 273-block district, working 24/7 to help resolve safety concerns in public spaces, answer questions, and connect visitors and residents with resources they need.
Hours of Operation for Public Safety Services:
Our security services are available 24/7, providing continuous protection and assistance whenever you need it.
Street Outreach
Our Street Outreach program connects individuals experiencing houselessness with the services and support they need. The outreach team works alongside our cleaning and public safety coordinators to identify people seeking assistance and connect them with resources across our network of private sector and non-profit partners.
Crow Abatement
Downtown Portland Clean & Safe works with Integrated Avian Solutions to utilize urban falconry as a humane tactic to reduce the presence of roosting crows in the downtown core during the winter. The goal of the program is to move the crows to parks and green spaces to limit the need to clean sidewalks and other surfaces of crow excrement.
This program is seasonal from October – February.
Get Involved
The Central City Coalition is a way to stay informed and get involved on the issues impacting Downtown Portland. The committee meets monthly to consider issues like public safety, livability, placemaking and activation activities and other issues related to the vibrancy, economic development and livability of Portland’s Central City.
Street Beat Newsletter
Our monthly Street Beat newsletter is a vital part of how we connect the downtown community—bringing updates on our programs and services, community events, business features, and the latest downtown stories.
