Squatters took over Southeast Portland house while owner was out of town

The homeowner said he's trying to sell the property but can’t — ever since some strangers moved in and refused to leave.

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[Hexmommy]

breaking into a house does not make you a squatter, it makes you a trespasser who illegally gainend entry. This is complete negligence of the law by the city and police.

[pixel]

They beat the owner up and sent him to the hospital???? And the police didn't arrest them?!

[nlg]

How the hell isn't this breaking and entering, or home invasion? This makes zero sense.

[cynthiamason]

If someone steals your car, it's a crime. If someone shoplifts, or robs a business, it's a crime. Why is stealing someone's house not a crime? I don't understand why the people that broke in can not be hauled out by law enforcement, handcuffed and taken to jail. Why does the owner of the property have to go through some many hoops just to restore what belongs to them?

[carmimoultrie]

This is crazy! Laws have got to be changed regarding these offenses.

[kjtroop]

I don’t understand. WTF is going on? It’s his house, they should be arrested on the spot or at the very least kicked the F out. There’s no filing of whatever, just get them the F out. What… I… I’m so confused. Whatever Squatter law there is, needs to be revamped ASAP. Or it should be completely legal to use deadly force on behalf of the owner. This is a load of sh$t. Wait wait wait how are these idiots not in jail for assault as well? What the hell is going on.

[nmbrkid]

We need to end the laws that protect squatters. Period. They’re trespassing.

[gordontreber]

No lawyer is required. Go to the courthouse, fill out the paperwork, pay the nominal fee and get your court date. The judge will issue an eviction notice, you take it to the Sheriff, the Sheriff will (for another small fee) enforce the unlawful detainer. The following verbiage "Any and all occupants" should be on the initial filing.
KGW.... how about providing this basic info. All local and state filing requirements are online.

[ManInTheBigHat]

This happened to my house, but it was after I sold it to a builder who just left it empty. When some neighbors tried to take action to evict the trespassers other neighbors tried to shame the people who called police. The idea being "everyone has a right to a home and this house was empty anyway." It's liberalism derailed.

[Jms]

Ironically she said they’ll break into your house & won’t leave.. i was thinking, if they break into my house they definitely will never leave 🤔🤔🤔

[daveheel]

This is ridiculous and a crime that those people who broke into his home can stay there and not be arrested on the spot. Why does the owner have to go through an eviction process and pay lawyers while he continues to pay his mortgage and not get to stay there while these criminals are destroying his home and use drugs on his property. Why own property if anyone can break into your house and stay whenever they like without permission?

[mikehawk]

The Portland Police Department is such a joke.
Noise complaint? We'll be at your door in 5 minutes to arrest someone.
Dangerous violent squatters living on someone else's property? Eh whatever let's just see where this goes

[AMERICANPATRIOT]

Perhaps this homeowner should mistake the squatters for home invaders and defend himself accordingly. No cop, prosecutor, or jury should hold it against the homeowner as long as the homeowner is not stupid enough to admit that the squatter had any legitimate business to be in his house.

[ScottPDX]

I bet if it was an officers home the squatters wouldn't be there. I wish somebody could help this fella out. That's BS, to have your home stolen by violent criminals and then get no help.

[TJrider.]

The owner needs to invite a bunch of their biker friends to go live with them.

[ascent]

This is f&%king infuriating! If he sets up a GoFundMe for the filing fees, I’d gladly donate. Or what about his family and his friends? Can’t anyone help this guy out? If the neighbors feel unsafe with these a$$holes living there, can’t they all pitch in to help get them out? I’m so mad!

[ChineseArithmetic]

This is why property owners should be able to drive out trespassers at gun point, and any government that gets in the way should be treated likewise.

[NSResponder]

If I find someone in my house that I didn't invite, and they refuse to leave, it's gonna cost them some blood.

[caseys.manning]

Squatters are some of the lowest scum on this earth! I can’t stand their entitlement in thinking they have the right to take things that don’t belong to them. They’re lazy, entitled, garbage trolls who should be held accountable & receive maximum punishments if they get caught squatting, stealing, etc until they learn to work for the things they want…like everyone else in the world.

[caracoates]

I thought breaking and entering was a crime?