Thank you, Mr. Gilbert.  Sad to say, you're in a long line of similar thoughts.   
At Nye Beach last Saturday, another couple started conversation with us.   They didn't waste any time bringing up a scary situation they encountered in downtown Portland the early night before.   That was their first time in Portland...so upset by it that they left the hotel and came to the beach.   They're from major cities on the east coast and they've never encountered anything like that...anywhere.   They (retired seniors) were mostly referring to the aggressiveness of the panhandlers/travelers/fill in your own word... and being purposely bumped into by one.  When they suddenly turned...an automatic response for most...the guy glared at them with those 'who are you looking at' eyes.  The couple seemed eager for answers...they were stunned...why here they wondered?   We shared what we could.   It's even more unsettling and eye-opening to hear from those who have never visited this area.