PORTLAND, Ore. — The owner of the Grocery Outlet in Portland’s Parkrose neighborhood says increasing crime and violence are pushing him to consider shutting down his store.
Don McKeever, who has owned the discount grocery store for years, told KOIN 6 News that theft, vandalism, and even assaults on staff have become an almost daily reality.
Rising Crime in Parkrose
While citywide statistics show property crimes such as theft and vandalism have dropped by about 4% since last year, Parkrose tells a different story. According to data from the Portland Police Bureau, property crimes in the neighborhood are up 4%, and overall reported crime has jumped 15% in the past year — the largest increase in any Portland neighborhood.
Also Read
For McKeever, these numbers reflect what he sees firsthand every day. “It’s not just about losing merchandise,” he said. “It’s about people feeling unsafe. It’s about violence becoming normal.”
Confrontations Turning Violent
McKeever described several frightening encounters that highlight the risks his employees face.
“There was a person trying to take a bag of pastries and other things out of the store,” he recalled. “I grabbed the bag to get it back, and that person pulled out a small knife and stabbed me multiple times in the hand. I’ve also had a gun pulled on me for a $7.99 bottle of wine.”
For McKeever, these incidents are not rare. He says confrontations with aggressive shoplifters have become increasingly dangerous, and his team no longer feels secure.
Financial Toll of Crime
Beyond the violence, the financial impact is taking a heavy toll. McKeever said the constant damage, theft, and vandalism are eating into the store’s bottom line.
“We lose 8 to 10 shopping carts a week,” he explained. “They cost about $350 each. That’s a few thousand dollars a month just to replace them. Then there are the broken windows — tens of thousands of dollars in repairs — and we’re losing another $10,000 a month in merchandise theft.”
For a neighborhood grocery store operating on tight margins, those losses are devastating.
Employees Leaving Over Safety Fears
The atmosphere of fear has also taken a toll on staff morale. McKeever said several employees have quit because they no longer feel safe coming to work.
“If it’s a smaller person, male or female, they just don’t feel safe, like they can defend themselves,” he said. “They see the violent crimes that happen or how we have to escort people out who were hiding somewhere in the store. They just don’t feel safe and end up quitting.”
McKeever said he understands their fears. He’s been injured himself and has seen how unpredictable and threatening some situations can become.
Seeking Help from City Officials
In an effort to save his business, McKeever has reached out to Portland city councilors and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. He’s asking for more police patrols in the Parkrose area and stronger enforcement against repeat offenders.
“I’m not trying to blame anyone,” he said. “I just want a safer environment — for my employees, for my customers, and for the community. We need more of a police presence and accountability for people who continue to steal and harm others.”
So far, McKeever says he’s had conversations with officials but has yet to see any major improvements.
Considering Closure
If the situation doesn’t change soon, McKeever fears he’ll have no choice but to close the store — a move that would be a major blow to the Parkrose neighborhood.
“I love this community,” he said. “I’ve been here for years. But if things don’t get better by next spring or summer, I’ll have to close. There’s even a chance I may shut down by the end of this year if it keeps getting worse.”
For residents, the closure of the Grocery Outlet would mean losing a vital and affordable shopping option in northeast Portland.
A Larger Pattern
McKeever’s concerns echo those of other Portland business owners who have struggled with theft, vandalism, and rising security costs. In recent years, several retailers — both large chains and small neighborhood stores — have closed or reduced hours, citing safety issues and financial losses tied to crime.
While Portland’s overall crime rate has remained stable, certain neighborhoods like Parkrose and Lents have seen significant spikes in both property and violent crimes.
Community leaders have called for more investment in local policing, mental health services, and addiction recovery programs — arguing that long-term safety improvements require more than enforcement alone.
A Difficult Decision Ahead
For now, McKeever continues to operate the store, even as challenges mount. He said he hopes city leaders will step in to help before it’s too late.
“I don’t want to walk away,” he said. “But I also can’t keep asking my employees to come to work scared or risk getting hurt. Something has to change — soon.”
