Business owners from Portland's Parkrose neighborhood came to the City Council to repeat a common refrain: That homeless people relieve themselves, use drugs or intimidate people near their businesses and the police do nothing, saying their hands are tied.

"We are in desperate need of your assistance," Angie Jenkins, president of the Parkrose Business Association, told the mayor and council Wednesday.

Jenkins, who owns an auto and tires shop, said she and other business owners want the homeless to receive aid, but also want police to respond to reports of theft, drug activity and vandalism.

As an example of dismissive conduct by the police, Jenkins said she reported a drug deal to officers, only to have one brush it off as "just a little bit of heroin."

Mayor Ted Wheeler delivered a pointed response, saying, "The laws will be enforced, and I'm directing they be enforced."

The mayor went on: "If a police officer or a firefighter ever tells you that I tied their hands, they are not telling you the truth. ... If an officer ever tells you that, get their name. Get their name. I want to know."

Wheeler asked Jenkins what she would have the city do in response to her complaints.

"I need you to enforce the laws and I need you to address behaviors," she told him.

Portland Police Bureau leaders have said their officers respond to increasing numbers of calls reporting illegal activity by the homeless. The Oregonian/OregonLive reported in June that homeless people comprised the majority of those arrested in Portland last year.

Deputy Chief Robert Day said in a September 20 statement that the Police Bureau's call load has increased 10 percent since last year and that a majority of the calls are related to reports of disorderly conduct, drug use, assaults and threatening behavior by the homeless. "If enforcement is warranted, we make arrests," Day said.

"Police didn't create this issue, nor can we solve it, but we want to help and respond in the most appropriate manner," the deputy chief wrote, adding that homelessness is "a societal issue" without a one-size-fits-all solution.

Wheeler noted Wednesday that the city budget adopted in June includes funding to hire scores of additional officers. Day said in his statement that despite additional funding, more than 70 unfilled officer jobs and retirements have affected the Police Bureau's ability to respond to calls.

-- Gordon R. Friedman

Have a tip about Portland City Hall? Contact Gordon: GFriedman@Oregonian.com.