Disturbing Video of the Unhoused Struggle in Portland, Maine

A video was posted to WGME Facebook page, and the response is massive, filled with opinions of Maine people and residents of Portland.

Homelessness has been an ever-growing issue in Maine. In Portland, it was calculated that 162 people were experiencing being unhoused in 2023, as per News Center Maine and this report. 

The WGME article states that Ned Payne, a Portland landlord, is pleading with city officials to help intervene in a dangerous problem taking place outside of his building. He wants this to happen to safeguard his tenants from the perilous environment outside of his building.

Caution: The video footage below is disturbing.

The building is located at 19 Portland Street, and has witnessed a pattern of drug use, violence, and criminal activity, as per the article. Ned highlights how distressing this is for the tenants and surrounding neighbors.

Ned says,

From fights to screaming, drug abuse, and dealing, it's a constant ordeal.

Footage from a security camera shows the daily occurrences, and Ned believes the tenants are living in fear, stating, "Kids can't even enjoy a snowball fight in winter, for fear of encountering a needle."

According to the article, Portland police offered assistance in some instances, but Ned notes a lack of big intervention, with few arrests made. He is now urging city leaders to address this problem to ensure safety of the residents.

The responses to the video encompass political matters, voting, immigration, and just a deep sense of sadness. One sentiment that is unmistakable is the collective urgency to have this rectified for the children.