What are officials doing to reduce prostitution and gang crime problems? See what we found out, by reading this article now …

Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Commander Michael Crebs says the new approach to reducing prostitution in outer East Portland is working.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
If you’re fed up with crime in outer East Portland, and are ready to do something about it, there’s a place you can go: East Precinct Involved Citizens, also known by its acronym, as EPIC. Formerly known as the East Portland Block Captains, these neighbors are involved in all kinds of crime-reduction programs.

And, at their bi-monthly meeting, those who attend learn what the police, the district attorney, and the jail system are doing to reduce crime in East Portland.

Update on fighting street prostitution

In the past years, we’ve covered the continuing effort to reduce the prevalence of street-level prostitution that sullies 82nd Avenue of Roses and NE Sandy Boulevard.

Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Commander Michael Crebs led off the March 23 EPIC meeting by recapping how the City now deals with street-sold sex.

“When the Prostitution-free Zone ordinances went away, we were concerned that there wouldn’t be anything to replace it,” Crebs began.

“In fact, we have replaced it. Now, when we arrest people for prostitution, whether they be male or female, we send them to the court downtown. If you’ve been convicted once already for a prostitution offence, you have to appear in regular court, not ‘community court’.”

The choices for the accused is to plead guilty, have a trial the judge, or have a trial with a jury. Just getting a hand-slap is no longer an option.

Says judges are getting involved
“We were concerned whether or not the judges would simply place the prostitutes and johns [customers] on probation,” Crebs noted. “But so far, the judges have taken these charges seriously. They have put sanctions on the people who have been found guilty.”

The Commander explained that post-conviction sanctions allow judges to impose conditions on guilty individuals. “The judge can tell the person not to be within a given distance from 82nd Avenue or Sandy Boulevard, and not to associate with known prostitutes, pimps, or johns.”

When the Prostitution Free-zone ordinances were in effect, a suspect – not found guilty in court – was “excluded” from certain areas. However, if they were found to be pandering, they’d typically just get another exclusion notice.

“But, because a sanction is post-conviction,” Crebs continued, “eight of our police officers who are also directed to be ‘officers of the court’ can arrest – and take to jail – anyone found to be in violation of their probation sanctions.”

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney J.R. Ujifusa says the new program isn’t displacing prostitution, it’s reducing it – by imposing jail sentences and providing treatment.

Violators go to jail
“This new program began on February 17,” pointed out Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney J.R. Ujifusa.

“One of the most prolific female street prostates was convicted and put on probation, with [the location exclusion] conditions. Officers saw her on the street and picked her up – not for violating an exclusion, but for violating her probation. She served 14 days in jail. Then, she was picked up yesterday, and is now serving another 40 days in jail. She will still be in probation, and the conditions will be continued.”

Asked if the new program is effective, Ujifusa commented, “Yes. Police officers are doing their part. The district attorneys are doing their part, to get the prostitutes and johns in front of judges, and to get probation restrictions upon conviction. So far, it’s working.”

Treatment reduces displacement
“Isn’t this just moving prostitution to different neighborhood?” asked an EPIC member.

“No, I think not,” replied Ujifusa. “Along with targeting the worst problems areas and ensuring jail time for violators, there is now a treatment element involved as well.”

The concept is, Ujifusa noted, to help repeat offenders by getting them safe housing, mental health care, drug counseling, rehabilitation, and training – so they can eventually become productive citizens, “instead of being prostitutes in a different area. And if prostitution does move to different area, this program will move to that different area with them.”

Commander Crebs says probation sanctions follow a convict throughout the state.

Can’t run and hide
“If a prostitute moves up 122nd Avenue,” Crebs chimed in, “We go back and tell the judge that she’s moved locations, and ask for additional restrictions. We can respond to prolific prostitutes as they move around. Probation is actually statewide, so if they were to associate with a known prostitute [anywhere in the state], technically it’s a violation of their probation. We can ‘violate’ them if we find them breaking the law, or associating with other prostitutes, pimps, or johns, anywhere.”

Crebs concluded by saying that he’s very pleased with how the program is working, and with the support they’re getting from the court and the District Attorney’s office.

“And, we have a meeting, once a week, with the District Attorney, police, and treatment program. We talk about how each convicted individual is doing, and try to prevent the displacement of prostitution.”

Gang Enforcement Team
targets gang behavior

Portland Police Bureau’s Lt. Mike Leloff, who is with the Tactical Operations Division and Gang Enforcement Team, talks about their efforts to reduce gang violence.

Also at this meeting, Mike Leloff, with the Portland Police Bureau’s Tactical Operations Division and Gang Enforcement Team, talked to the group about recent gang activity in outer East Portland.

Leloff’s presentation included how to recognize the signs and symbols used by gangsters, the origin of gangs, and how the Police Bureau is dealing with the problems.

We had the opportunity to ask Leloff if he has seen an increase in gang activity.

“Yes, it is increasing,” he replied, “but we’re getting on top of it. Recently, during ‘Operation Cool Down’, we got political leaders from both Portland and Gresham involved to make it easier for officers to follow gangsters. We’re opening up our boundaries, like the gangsters have.”

Although Operation Cool Down has ended, Leloff continued, gang enforcement operations haven’t. “We started a new afternoon shift in March, with one sergeant and five officers. They quickly move to areas of gang activity, partnered with ‘HEAT’, the Hotspot Enforcement Action Team, and a similar team in Gresham.”

These teams look for specific sets of illegal gang behavior – instead of targeting individuals, he noted – in north, northeast, and east Portland, and Gresham

Leloff says there are many reasons for the recent increase in gang activity.

Asked why gang activity is on the upswing, Leloff pointed out that there are second and third generation gangsters now on the street. “The kids I was chasing around early in my career, are now getting out of prison, and getting back into the gangster life. Their kids, and sometimes their grandkids, see the gangster life as normal.”

While the economy does impact crime in general, Leloff said, “How much it may influence gaining activity – I’m not an expert there. We have been seeing increases in gang activity since December of 2007.”

Dave Smith, coordinator East Precinct Involved Citizens, welcomes attendees to another EPIC meeting.

How to become an EPIC neighbor
Dave Smith, a volunteer, and the EPIC coordinator, said that their meetings and activities aren’t limited to people involved in the “Block Captain” program.

“‘EPIC’ is for people interested in public safety topics,” Smith said. “I try to find topics that are both interesting and are informative. We try to present information that people wouldn’t normally hear or see anywhere else.”

Smith cited the group’s “field trips” to the Bureau of Emergency Communication – the 911 Center – and more recently, to the Portland Police Bureau’s Mounted Patrol Division, in addition to the presentations.

The next meeting will be on May 27; that keynote address will be delivered by Sergeant Erin Smith, a motorcycle cop with the Traffic Division, Smith noted.

For questions contact Smith at dsmith@portlandpolice.org.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

See why you should get to this great show, put on by the Metro Dancers at Portland Metro Performing Arts – right here in outer East Portland …

Seeing double – and triple!  Because the Metro Dancers are performing several shows at different venues, Scott Trumbo and James Holstad both play the male lead role of “Franz”, and Lorianne Barclay, Emily Sevy, and Krista Bennett all play the female lead, “Swanilda” – not at the same time, of course, but in different shows!

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
When we stopped at Portland Metro Performing Arts (PMPA) to check in on the progress of the Metro Dancers’ upcoming production, Coppélia – we thought we were seeing double and triple!

“We have several performances,” explained PMPA’s Executive Director, Nancy Yeamans. “The ladies will be dancing the part of the Swanilda, and the gentleman will be dancing the part of Franz.

“No, David, there won’t be ‘dueling Swanildas’ in the show!”

This production of Coppélia blends great dancing and great theatre, Yeamans said. “‘Coppélia’ is the comedic story of an eccentric inventor, the animated doll he creates, and the havoc they cause in their small village.”

About the story:
Swanilda is engaged to be married to Franz. The day before their wedding, Franz starts flirting with a mysterious young lady. Swanilda and her friends decide find out more about the mystery girl, and break in to the house of the mysterious Doctor Coppélius. What they discover is a real doll!

After twists and turns in the story, Franz and Dr. Coppélius are left both amazed and confused.

• Will Swanilda and Franz get back together?
• Can Dr. Coppélius ever find happiness by being part of the village?

Find out, while you enjoy this wonderful ballet performance at PMPA!

Shows on April 25
See how the music, costumes, sets, and the dancers’ skill all combine to make this a performance event you will not want to miss.

There are two performances on April 25 – at 2 pm and 7 pm. Pre-Sale tickets are $10/Children and $15/high school students and adults; at the door: $12/Children, and $18/HS & Adult.

It’s at Portland Metro Performing Arts Center, 9933 SE Pine Street, in the Gateway area. For tickets or more information call (503) 408-0604; email to info@PDXMetroArts.org, or get information online at www.PDXMetroArts.org.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

This apartment building has seen more that its share of fire, neighbors say.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The sound of smashing glass awoke Parkrose resident Ted Wentz in the wee hours of April 9. “Transients use our street to go between The Grotto and NE Sandy Blvd. I thought they were breaking beer bottles in the street again.”

But when Wentz looked out the window, he saw the four-plex apartment building at 4415 NE 88th Avenue ablaze.

“Flames were coming up from the lower level, and the smoke and fire was just shooting up over the balcony – just like a giant barbecue or bonfire,” exclaimed eyewitness Wentz. “I grabbed the phone and called 9-1-1. They kept asking for the address; I gave them mine and told them ‘It’s right across the street, about a block from your fire station [#12] just south on Sandy Boulevard’.”

After he hung up, Wentz said he ran across the street. “I saw the garage next to the neighbor’s house, directly across the street from me, starting to smoke because of the heat. I hooked up her garden hose and started spraying water on her garage.” His effort kept the fire at bay until firefighters arrived.

Official records show the first call reporting the fire came in 2:37 am; Engine 12 pulled up at 2:40 am. “When firefighters arrived, they reported fire coming from the doors, windows, and the roof of the building,” confirmed Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) spokesman Lt. Allen Oswalt.

Crewmembers from PF&R Station 12 – here, from the next day’s shift – examine the fire damage, and take note of the work their fellow firefighters did 12 hours earlier.

Resident rouses occupants
Wentz said he saw someone rousting the residents, making sure everyone was out of the house. “I understand he was visiting his son, and is a sheriff somewhere; he must have dressed quickly.”

Oswalt said that as firefighters made a quick attack on the fire, other crewmembers searched for trapped victims. “Reports from occupants that all of the residents were accounted for allowed firefighters to concentrate their efforts on limiting the fire’s spread.”

As the firefighters were getting their hoses ready, Wentz recalled that a resident yelled, “There’s a propane tank on the side of the building!” Firefighters grabbed it and moved it out of harm’s way.

“The flames were just amazing,” Wentz said. “When they cut into the roof, flames shot out. Somehow the flames got all the way from the lower level into the upper unit, and all the way out the roof.”

Oswalt commented, “The fire found its way into the attic; a tough place to fight a fire. Firefighters cut holes in the roof to douse the fire from above; others worked in the apartments below, by pulling the sheet-rock ceilings down to give access to the underside of the roof structure.”

Dog makes a break for it
In the early moments of the conflagration, Wentz said, the occupants of the unit above burning apartment were trying to coax their dog from its kennel. “But, as soon as they opened the door that leads to the stairs, the dog took off and ran south toward The Grotto. She and her boyfriend ran after the dog and found it. They asked us to keep the dog in our fenced back yard until things calmed down.”

The blaze was so intense, it took a full half hour for firefighters to get it under control.

All of this damage; all of this loss was caused by a careless discarded cigarette, officials say.

Third fire at structure
This is not the first fire at this location, Wentz told us. “When they were building it, somebody lit the Porta-Potty on fire.”

The next fire occurred, he said, “When a girl, living in the lower, north unit, got a smoking can or ashes too close to the side of the building. It lit the apartment’s siding on fire.”

This time, according to PF&R’s Oswalt, “Fire Investigators have determined that the fire was accidentally caused by ‘improper disposal of a cigarette’. One of the occupants had discarded a cigarette into a cardboard box, which ignited and spread to a sofa, and then to the structure.”

As a result of the fire, Oswalt told us, two of the units suffered heavy damage from the fire and smoke, and the other two units were moderately damaged. “Firefighters used plastic sheeting to cover the belongings in the units, in an attempt to limit the damage to the occupants’ possessions.”

Red Cross to the rescue
The Oregon Trail Chapter of The Red Cross sent four volunteers to the scene. Because there were a total of eleven displaced residents, workers set up a temporary emergency reception center at the nearby Howard Johnson Hotel to assist the occupants.

“I saw the Red Cross come here, and found out that they were helping these people with a place to stay, some clothing, and food for a few days,” commented Wentz. “That’s really great; I didn’t know they did that. I might just be giving them a donation.”

• Find out more about the Oregon Red Cross by visiting their website: CLICK HERE.

Lesson to be learned
Never missing an opportunity to provide fire education, Oswalt commented, “All smoking material should be disposed of in a non-combustible container, preferably metal, with a tight-fitting lid. Residue from ashtrays should also be disposed of in a metal container with a tight- fitting lid.”

There were no reported injuries. The monetary damage estimate is unavailable at this time.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Can the areas along the MAX Light Rail line turn into “active station communities” as the City hopes? See how their planning project is going …

Participants at the Station Community Plan meeting listen as Alan Snook, transportation planning consultant with DKS Associates, explains why active station communities are important to urban development in outer East Portland.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Citizens interested in how the areas around the outer East Portland MAX Light Rail line have been working with the Portland Bureau of Planning & Sustainability to create active station communities.

“This means creating the possibility for a wide range of housing, retail, services and job opportunities, immediately available within a pedestrian-friendly, 20-minute walk of MAX stations,” explained the program leader, Tom Armstrong.

The community input they’ve received over the past year, Armstrong told us, has resulted in a set of proposed long-range planning actions for each of the station communities being studied – from Gateway east to the Portland City line at 162nd Avenue Station. These “planning actions” include those dealing with land use, urban form/building design, and transportation.

Portland Bureau of Planning & Sustainability project leader, Tom Armstrong, responds to questions about the new plans posed by neighbors.

Connecting neighborhoods with MAX
“From what I’ve heard today,” Armstrong told us after the meeting, “one of the primary concerns is about local street connections. We need to figure out ways to help property owners pave local streets and put in sidewalks, off the main arterials.”

As the economy tightens, Armstrong said neighbors at the March 14 event told him that fewer homeowners can afford to make these improvements on their own. “We need to figure out how the city can leverage money to help improve those connections.”

Concerns about crime
An issue that has surfaced at all of these meetings is the fear of criminal activity aboard the MAX trains and the in the areas surrounding the stations.

“We’ve been trying to use what planning tools we have available,” Armstrong said, “in terms of the built environment, trying to provide a community where there are more eyes on the street – such as an increased number of shops and cafés. The question we’re asking is, ‘How can we create these kinds of community places in these locations?'”

Pointing out where he lives, near the 162nd MAX Station, to Portland Bureau of Planning East Portland liaison, Barry Manning, neighbor Don Good, tells about his concern about crime – as do Jeanne Good and Bob Sale.

Don Good, who said he’s a long-time resident near the 162nd MAX Station, said, “I’m really concerned about the crime element MAX brings into our area. It’s become one of the worst crime areas in the city of Portland.”

Asked of increased police patrols have helped, Good replied, “Every night, I hear police sirens. This goes on from midnight to four o’clock in the morning. It’s his crazy here. We actually have two bullet holes in our windows, one in the upstairs bathroom window, and one in the bedroom window. I don’t know what they can do, but they definitely need to clean this up.”

Comments are still welcome
Armstrong said the project is still in a public outreach phase. “We will take what we’ve learned today, and over the next few weeks, we refine our plan. We’ll be back in May with another round of public meetings.”

Get informed, or give our opinion at their web site by CLICKING HERE. If you have specific ideas or concerns, or need more information, contact Armstrong by email at tom.armstrong@ci.portland.or.us.

Whether you’re a biker – or a confirmed motorist – find out what the City’s Bureau of Transportation has in store …

Ellen Vanderslice, project manager for Portland’s Bicycle Master Plan Update, says she’s happy to see an increase in bike transportation usage.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Although using bicycles as a primary mode of transportation is seldom seen in outer East Portland, Ellen Vanderslice, the project manager for the Bicycle Master Plan Update, told members of the Midway Business Association she’s hoping it more folks adopt this “healthier” way of getting around.

“Citywide, the number of people bicycling has gone up,” Vanderslice stated. “We’re looking for an increase in the number of bicyclists as time goes on, for two reasons. Part of it is, we want to make this an even more ‘green’ city – this will bring more tourism here. And it’s a healthy alternative to cars.”

Bike riders categorized
Studies show, Vanderslice related, that when it comes to bicycles, people fall into one of four categories:

• “No way, no how” – About one-third of Portland’s citizens will never mount a bike for fun or transportation.
• “Interested, but concerned” – About 60% of Portlanders say they like recreational riding, but say they “feel nervous” about riding for transportation. “These are the people we’re trying to reach,” Vanderslice said. “We’re working to provide ways to help them feel better about riding more.”
• “Enthused and confident” – About 7% of riders fall in this category; they are generally involved in bicycle-related projects.
• “Strong and fearless” – Only 1% of the bike riders are fully committed to bicycles as their only mode of individual transportation (in conjunction with mass transit).

About 60% of the trips taken are shorter than three miles, reported Vanderslice. “Not all trips can be done by bicycle, but perhaps many of them can. As our roads become more congested, going by bicycle will free up room for cars – and make our neighborhoods more livable.”

Bicycle improvement concepts
It will take a combination of efforts to get the “Interested, but concerned” to trade in their car for a bicycle.

“Part of this will be through adopting new transportation, parking, and lane policies,” Vanderslice explained. “New design guidelines will help create ‘low stress bikeways’ to encourage riding.”

One example is the “Advisory Bike Lane” – used where the roadway is narrow. “The street will be painted with broken lines [on the outside of driving lanes] to let car drivers know bikes are supposed to be riding there.”

Another concept, Vanderslice went on is the “Cycle Track”. Such a separated facility as this is already seen on NE Cully Boulevard. It is in the road, but separated from traffic by a low curb. Another is the “Buffered Bike Lane”, painted a little wider than the typical bike lane.

It is possible for people to do their grocery-shopping by bicycle, Vanderslice says.

Considering bike licensing
Asked how the city plans to fund these improvements, Vanderslice made an announcement that surprised many of the 16 people at the March 10 meeting.

“We’ve considered many options, and around the table, bicycle licensing is being considered as a viable option,” she said. “By implementing the low-cost bike lane treatments, we can increase the use of bicycle for shopping trips, as I do. It’s not easy [to go grocery shopping using a bicycle], but it is not impossible.”

Talks up combined open houses in May
Because of tight City budgets, Vanderslice said the Portland Bureau of Transportation will be presenting joint open house events featuring both the Bicycle Master Plan and the Portland Streetcar System Plan.

May 6 is the date for the outer East Portland event. It runs from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the David Douglas High School North Cafeteria  (1500 SE 130th Ave.) For more information, contact Ellen Vanderslice, project manager for the Bicycle Master Plan Update, at (503) 823-4638 or email her at ellen.vanderslice@pdxtrans.org.

The APNBA’s Jon Turino updates the organization’s progress.

APNBA update given
Jon Turino, the Executive Director of the Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations (APNBA), also stopped by the noontime meeting.

Turino said their next city-wide conference is scheduled for June 4. “There will be quick, 25 minute talks on a wide variety of topics that will help both business associations, and their business members, succeed.”

He also talked up the organization’s new web site that features an interactive, map-based directory of associations and local businesses. You can visit their website by CLICKING HERE.

Meet the members
If you own or manage a business in the southern portion of outer East Portland, stop in at April 14 meeting of the Midway Business Association.

Visitors ARE welcome and the presentation is free (but you pay for your own lunch). Their meeting runs from 11:45 AM until 1 PM at Bill and Jeff Dayton’s PIZZA BARON Restaurant on SE 122nd Avenue, just south of Division Street. For more information, go to www.midwayba.com.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

How do you free a tree-trimmer – pinned by a branch 40′ above the ground? Very carefully! Read all about this rescue, which a trained expert called “scary” …

Before taking action, firefighters and members of PF&R’s Specialty Rescue team evaluate the condition of the arborist, and the overall situation.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
As one who used to live on Mt. Hood and routinely cut his own firewood, Brentwood-Darlington resident Brandon Smyton said the two arborists cutting down trees behind the house across the street from his home, in the 5800 block of SE Tenino Street, caught his interest, as he was on his way to the store about 11:30 a.m.

“The sound of the chainsaw stopped,” Smyton told us. “I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but I gathered that their saw got pinched in the tree and it was no big deal. It sounded as if the man up in the tree was calmly talking to his partner on the ground, making a plan to get the stuck saw free.”

When he got returned from the shopping trip, Smyton said he found his street filled with Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) ladder trucks, and the PF&R Specialty Rescue van. “It was then that I realized the seriousness this of the situation.”

Technical Rescue Team members make sure the arborist is safely anchored to their fire truck’s extended ladder.

The rescue team rigs a come-along winch to lift the limb of the victim’s arm.

Large limb pins arborist
“When our firefighters arrived,” explained PF&R spokesman Lt. Damon Simmons, as we watched the rescue effort unfold, “they found that a large limb which the arborist was cutting fell, struck him in the shoulder, and pinned his harness and left arm to the tree.”

Noting that PF&R Engine 1 – a unit which typically only serves downtown Portland – was rolling up to the scene, Simmons commented, “This is our Specialty Rescue unit. These firefighters are trained for, and better equipped for, what we call a ‘high angle, technical rescue’, in which the victim is at least 30 feet in the air, and is hanging in the air unsupported.”

One of the firefighters instrumental in the rescue is Rich Chatman, a member of PF&R’s Technical Rescue Team, based at Station 1 in downtown Portland.

Crew carefully considers rescue options
Firefighter Rich Chatman, a Technical Rescue Team member, talked us through the rescue…

“We were concerned that if we did anything to move the top of the tree branch resting on his arm, it would shift the limb toward him, making the situation worse,” Chatman explained after the successful rescue. “We had to come up with a unique plan for securing the tree, securing victim, and then cutting his [safety harness] system that was holding him.”

After securing the victim with ropes, rescue team members used a small “come-along” winch between the trunk and the limb and free the arborist’s arm. “The tricky part was when we cut his restraint system, because that also was caught in the tree. I’d say it’s the scariest thing I’ve ever done.”

While some rescuers secure the treed arborist, others winch up the limb.

With his arm free, the arborist gets a footing on the fire department’s extension ladder.

While the team was making the plan and taking action to free him, the victim was conscious and lucid, Chatman commented. “He was a real trouper. He knew we were working as hard and as fast as we could, to free him.”

Victim descends ladder to safety
At about 1:00 p.m., many of those watching the rescue said they were surprised to see the arborist slowly climb down a tall ladder the firefighters secured to the tree. “We were going to lower him using a rope system,” Chatman said, “but he started climbing down as soon he could. But we had him supported all the way down.”

Freed from his predicament, the arborist makes his way down a ladder, with a firefighter at his side on a parallel ladder.

This view gives one a better idea of from high the victim was rescued.

-9 Firefighters and paramedics help the arborist at the ladder’s bottom.

Although the freed, unidentified arborist could walk on his own, AMR medics quickly got him to lie down on a gurney, and transported him to OHSU Hospital for evaluation and treatment.

As crewmembers started packing their equipment, and as Station Truck 25 was retracting its 100-foot ladder, we noticed the other arborist climbing back up the tree. “He’s going to retrieve the chain saw, isn’t he?” Smyton remarked.

With the victim safely on the way to the hospital, the arborist’s partner climbs back up the tree to retrieve his chainsaw.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Although the driver of the Jeep he smashed into was arrested for DUII, see why officials say the cyclist was responsible for his own demise …

Police say that the driver of the motorcycle was going too fast, lost control, and crashed into the Jeep on SE 28th Avenue in Eastmoreland on April 2nd.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
It’s a sad, simple story: A motorcyclist and Jeep collide; the cyclist dies at the scene.

Just after 3:00 p.m. on April 2, witnesses said the driver of a white café-racer style motorcycle took off like a shot from the Reed neighborhood 7-11 convenience store on SE 28th Avenue at SE Steele, heading south.

After passing the west edge of Reed College and the Rhododendron Gardens, and making his way past the SE Woodstock Boulevard intersection, the biker picked up speed as he negotiated the twists and turns SE 28th Avenue makes as it snakes around the east margin of Eastmoreland Golf Course.

As he motored south, around the sweeping curve past SE Carlton Street, the biker failed to make the sharp right curve as the road heads west as Bybee Boulevard just after SE Tolman Street.

“When officers arrived, they found a 29-year-old man, the motorcycle operator, deceased at the scene,” reported police spokesperson Detective Mary Wheat.

Major Crash Team Investigators measure skid marks the motorcycle made just before it collided with the car just past SE Tolman Street.

The Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division’s Major Crash Team arrived on scene moments later, and quickly determined that the deceased biker, identified as 28-year-old Jeremy Lee Stamper, had lost control of his motorcycle, leaving skid marks into the oncoming lane of traffic

“Stamper was operating the motorcycle at a high rate of speed, and collided with a vehicle in the oncoming traffic,” Wheat said.

29-year-old Jeremy Lee Stamper was going too fast to make the curve, officials say, which is what directly led to his death.

After the collision, police arrested the driver of the jeep the cycle had struck, 25-year-old Justin Christopher Jones, for DUII – but said he was not at fault for the accident.

The driver of the vehicle with which Stamper collided was identified as 25-year-old Justin Christopher Jones. Reported Wheat, “Jones cooperated with police at the scene, but was taken into custody, and charged with one count of Driving Under the Influence.

“However, Major Crash Team Investigators determined that Jones was not responsible for the accident, and that Stamper had lost control of his motorcycle.”

This extemporaneous memorial by friends and family appeared in Stamper’s memory along the curb at the crash site.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Find out why the citizens of Argay Terrace and Parkrose say they’re dismayed that their neighborhoods are being shuffled into to newly-created North Precinct …

Portland Police Bureau Chief Rosie Sizer says that moving precinct boundary lines will probably not please some neighbors.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Last month, we brought you the story about how the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) was planning to collapse the current five precincts down to three. (CLICK HERE to read that article).

Most neighbors in outer East Portland didn’t take notice; the map clearly showed that all 13 neighborhoods in the East Portland Neighborhood Organization (EPNO) coalition – including Parkrose, Argay Terrace and Wilkes – would continue to be served from East Precinct.

However, after wrangling by some non-EPNO neighbors, such as those who live in Madison South, to stay in East Precinct, the boundary lines changed.

The TOP map, from released in February, shows Parkrose, Argay Terrace and Wilkes are all in East Precinct’s beige-colored boundary. The BOTTOM map – the current precinct configuration – now in yellow, indicates these three neighborhoods, will be patrolled by officers reporting to North Precinct.

Twice the distance from the precinct
Outer East Portland neighbors say they understand that police officers, unlike firefighters, patrol an assigned district – a subdivision of a precinct – and that they don’t sit around waiting for calls at the precinct office.

Yet, there is concern that the North Precinct Commander, in his office at 449 NE Emerson Street, will be commanding officers in communities spanning from St. Johns, east to the City of Gresham border.

Specifically, the distance from North Precinct to Bob Brown Tires on NE Sandy Blvd. is 7.05 miles, with an estimated travel time of 19 minutes. East Precinct’s headquarters is a mere 3.67 miles away from Brown’s store, an 11-minute trip.

Parkrose Business Association president, Wayne Stoll, says he’s dismayed to learn their area is scheduled to be shifted to North Precinct, after many of its members supplied labor, materials, and funds to create a modern, welcoming police contact station on NE Sandy Boulevard.

Parkrose businesses express concern
At their March 19 meeting, Parkrose Business Association President Wayne Stoll said the proposal to shift the precinct boundary lines was troubling.

Stoll read a letter to the City, and asked members to consider signing their names to it. The letter read:

Dear Mayor Sam Adams:
We are writing you today concerning the proposed consolidation of police precincts in the City of Portland.

For a long time, we in the Parkrose area felt neglected and under-patrolled by the Portland Police Bureau. During the last five years, we have seen that trend improve through the hard work of the fine officers, command staff, and folks at East Precinct.

Recently, a Community Policing Office opened on Sandy Boulevard, in the heart of Parkrose.  This happened due to the hard work of Commander Mike Krebs, Sergeant John Anderson, and Officer Greg Baldwin. East Portland citizens Joe Rossi, Rex Hollingsworth, and many other hard-working citizens volunteered for the project because they were concerned with livability in the Parkrose area.

Now, with a proposed realignment of the police precincts, this private-public partnership, successfully developed over many years, will be ripped apart if Parkrose becomes part of the new Northeast Precinct.

Parkrose, as a whole, wants to stay within the boundaries of East Precinct, and we ask your help in keeping us there. Please do not move us backward in time when people asked us, “Is Parkrose in the City of Portland?”

Earlier this year, Argay Neighborhood Association chair Valerie Curry presented PPB Chief Rosie Sizer with a mug their group had made for all officers and staff members at East Precinct.

Argay neighbors protest move
Earlier this year, the neighbors of Argay Terrace showed their appreciation for all of the officers and staff members at PPB East Precinct by presenting them deluxe, heavy-duty coffee mugs, emblazoned with their community association’s seal. (Read about it: CLICK HERE.)

Argay Neighborhood Association Chair Valerie Curry said their citizens were not at all pleased by being shifted into the new North Precinct.

“We are strongly urging that Argay remain in East Precinct,” Curry told us. “We’re concerned that our businesses and residents would not have the same response time from patrolling police if we were shifted to Northeast Precinct – located at approximately Killingsworth & MLK Boulevard.”

From a neighborhood-association perspective, Curry added, traveling to meetings at East Precinct takes less than 10 minutes. “This is important, because our 13 coalition neighborhoods share similar problems that we bring to Commander Crebs and his fine staff at Citizens Advisory Committee meetings.”

Curry said the three northern outer East Portland neighborhoods would be isolated – split off from the southern outer East Portland communities. “Realistically, what do our problems and needs have to do with communities such as Alberta and St. Johns?”

Speaking as a private citizen, Curry said she’s found the Portland Police officers and staff to be dedicated and resourceful. “But even this competent force can’t work magic, with the new North Precinct’s patrol area strung across many miles. I have little hope that Argay – with its considerable problems along NE Sandy Boulevard – could get quick police response to our calls for help.”

Chief Sizer comments, “I don’t think we’re going to be able to develop a map that is going to make everyone happy.”

Sizer responds to neighbors
On April 2, we had the opportunity to ask PPB Chief Sizer for her response to the concern expressed by these neighbors and business people.

“Our desire is to balance the workload between the precincts,” Sizer told us. “We have [created] over a dozen maps and plans to develop decent boundaries and a balanced workload.

“Part of the recommendation around that boundary came from our officers; about how they would get [help from other officers to provide] cover on calls. This was not a bureaucratic decision about where to draw the boundary line. It was about officers saying what was going to work, for them, in terms of getting help when they need it on the street.

“My strong feeling is that those officers, with whom the community has developed strong relationships – they’re still going to be working that area. I think that’s the most important thing.”

We asked Sizer to respond to the concerns expressed by northern outer East Portland folks.

“I think I just answered the question,” Sizer replied. “I don’t think we’re going to be able to develop a map that is going to make everyone happy. We do want to make it so that every community member is an equal chance to have good [police] service. We want to make sure officers can respond to calls in ways that they feel are safe.”

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News