Mayor Mike Johnston pivoted toward tough-on-crime rhetoric during his 2025 State of the City address last month.

“Now that encampments are gone and violent crime is among the lowest this century, we are turning our focus to the quality-of-life crimes — like theft or public drug use — that impact many of us on a daily basis,” he said.

After spending the past two years ending downtown encampments and bringing thousands of people into shelter, Johnston described a new approach to people with mental health and substance issues and recurring criminal records.

“For those who are willing to accept treatment, we will keep them out of our criminal justice system entirely,” he said in the speech. “But for those who refuse services and continue to commit crimes, we will hold them accountable, and

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