Portland business closes after 15 break-ins in last year and a half

A businessowner in Northeast Portland, Oregon, says she was forced to shut down because of rampant crime, theft and 15 separate break-ins – five of which were in the last three weeks.

The closure went viral over Thanksgiving weekend after Marcy Landolfo, owner of the Rains outerwear store, posted a scathing letter on her door thanking her customers but said that she could not keep the business open “due to the constant, and unrelenting, criminal behavior, coupled with escalating safety issues for our employees.”

“Our city is in peril,” the letter continues. “Small businesses (and large) cannot sustain doing business… in our city’s current state. We have no protection, or recourse, against the criminal behavior that goes unpunished.”

The letter also chides those who say insurance will cover damage and her losses.

“We have sustained 15 break-ins… we have not received any financial reimbursement since the third,” states the letter.

The owner at Rains tells me after five break-ins in about three weeks, she made the sudden decision to permanently close. Staff here are putting pressure on the city to look after small businesses dealing with ongoing challenges with crime. pic.twitter.com/XyP2p6PR6W

— Megan Allison (@mallisonKATU) November 26, 2022

Violent crime has surged 38% between 2020 and 2021, according to FBI data.

Law enforcements veterans around the country have blamed the “defund the police” movement for short-staffing, burnout and low morale among officers. Portland was the site of massive George Floyd protests in 2020 and has struggled with rising crime since.

Small businessowners often put everything they have into their businesses, so the decision to close isn’t taken lightly. Landolfo was asked by local media why she chose to do so at the beginning of the holiday shopping season.

"The products that are being targeted are the very expensive winter products and I just felt like the minute I get those in the store they’re going to get stolen," she replied.

The Portland business owner said the “final straw” was her employees’ safety.

“During all of this, you know, you’re focusing on the 15 break-ins I’ve had after hours. But I’ve had countless other very dangerous interactions,” Landolfo said during an interview with NewsNation.

She also insisted public safety was not a “political problem.”

“This is about what’s pragmatic and practical for community and business to thrive,” Landolfo said in response to a question about her letter’s call for Portlanders to vote “to make our city safe again.”

“I don’t care what side of the fence you’re on. Or where on the spectrum. You know, criminal behavior is criminal behavior and none of us should tolerate it.”