Broken windows, doors smashed, in Woodstock business vandalism

Published 12:00 am Sunday, December 22, 2024

In the overnight hours, in the Woodstock neighborhood, during the months of October, November, and December, glass windows and doors of businesses have been smashed in by vandals, or burglars attempting to enter. Although some similar incidents occurred back during the COVID-19 pandemic, until recently calm had again been prevailing.

The first new such episode occurred at “Woodstock Spirits” in early October, when the liquor store had its front door smashed. In a recent phone call, the store was unable to disclose what, if anything, might have been taken.

The second target in late October was “Double Mountain Brewery Taproom” on the corner of 44th and S.E. Woodstock Boulevard. A couple of huge pane glass windows on the west side of the building were destroyed, and are still boarded up. That time nothing was taken from the restaurant – it appeared to be pure vandalism – but earlier in the year a glass door on the east side had been smashed and the thieves in that case got away with some money.

The next victim was a business simply called “Smoke Shop”, selling all sorts of smoking items and other paraphernalia at 4807 S.E. Woodstock. This shop replaced “Blaze Smoke Shop” several months ago. An employee showed THE BEE a basketball-sized rock that was launched thorugh the front large glass front window in mid-November. Due to a garage-type door that slides down behind the window at night, the vandal was not able to enter the shop.

Not long after that, Harder Day Coffee – between the UPS Store and Advantis Credit Union – was targeted. Co-owner Brody Day told THE BEE, “Yes, unfortunately early Sunday morning [December 1st] we had our front window smashed by would-be burglars. They were not able to get past our security system and double paned glass, though, so fortunately they did not gain access. The police response was really quick and we really appreciate the detail and focus they put into finding the burglars.”

Right after Thanksgiving, the front glass door of Pizza Roma at S.E. 47th and Woodstock was smashed in. Security cameras showed that thieves entered, checked the cash register, and then left after finding no money in the tray.

On December 2nd, Viking Soul Food at 4422 Woodstock Boulevard was hit. Its co-owner gave this report: “The police were basically on the scene almost as it was happening, as the major crimes unit was on a sting trying to bust some of the local burglary crews in the act; they are pretty sure who it was, and almost caught them out on 82nd, but lost them.” The bad news was, “Robbers made off with some valuable stuff, unfortunately.”

Small businesses should be aware that the agency “Prosper Portland” (formerly the Portland Development Commission) is a community development corporation created by the City of Portland – and it can reimburse small businesses for expenses related to vandalism and theft. Prosper Portland still has their small business support fund for reimbursement of up to $25,000 for repairs – but the funding ends on December 31, 2024, so victims had better act fast.