It wasn’t gang activity that shut down East Burnside Street, just a block away from Ventura Park School. Could this tragic death been avoided? See what happened here …

Police say the residents of this small Hazelwood bungalow never gave them any problems — until a single shotgun blast ended the life of one of its residents.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The house at 11750 E. Burnside was the perfect bachelor dwelling for the two 18-year-olds who lived there. Now, it sits empty – one young man is dead; the other is in jail charged with his death.

Officials say turned deadly for the pair of teenagers, said to be long-time friends, a little after 2:30 p.m. on April 28. Neighbors heard a gunshot ring out and saw one of the roommates, Andrew Gabriel Perez, run out the door, shouting that someone had been shot.

“Portland Police Officers responded a call about a shooting that had just occurred,” stated Portland Police Bureau spokesperson Detective Wheat. “When officers arrived, they found 18-year-old Chance Domingo Caron deceased inside the residence.”

Portland Police Bureau homicide detectives confer outside of the home where one roommate apparently accidentally shot the other.

Detectives executed a search warrant for the residence, Wheat continued, and found the gun they believed was used in this incident. “The cause of death appears to be one gunshot wound.”

While neighbors reported there been troubles at the house next door to where the shooting occurred, Wheat said, there had been no problems at that residence itself. “It wasn’t gang-related; investigators believe that Perez accidentally shot Caron,” explained Wheat at the scene.

Police charge this man, Andrew Gabriel Perez, with accidentally shooting his friend and roommate – thinking his shotgun was unloaded.

Northbound E. Burnside Street was blocked off at SE 117th Avenue, while homicide detectives conducted their investigation.

According to police and court records, Perez was handling his shotgun, inserting and ejecting shells. Apparently, not all of the shells were ejected when Perez triggered the weapon; the blast struck Caron in the head, killing him.

“Andrew Perez was charged with one count of Criminal Negligent Homicide and was lodged at the Multnomah County Detention Center,” Wheat added. Perez was arraigned on Manslaughter in the Second Degree, we learned, and will be back in court on May 7.

Behind the scenes: Ever wonder how the TV stations are able to “go live to the scene”? They use mobile production trucks; their tall masts beam the TV picture to the station.

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Find out why these two rank-and-file members of their respective bureaus were selected to win the prestigious “Russ Lemmon” Award …

See how you can pick up a $1,000 in cash for helping cops find the guy who is suspected of robbing the Ace Tavern last summer in Parkrose …

See exclusive photos of the SERT callout that shut down a large portion of Lents and Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhoods, and learn about the progress of the investigation …

We find every street blocked off, as SERT and district officers comb the blocks looking for suspects who officials say shot a Vancouver cop in the chest.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Not often does a crime that takes place in Vancouver, Washington, affect the lives of outer East Portland citizens.

But, on April 15, a good-sized portion of the Powellhurst-Gilbert and Lents neighborhoods were locked down as Portland Police Bureau district officers – and members of the Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) – searched for a gunman who they think shot Vancouver Police Sgt. Jay Alie in the chest about 9:30 p.m. that night.

According to Vancouver Police Department Public Information Coordinator Kim Kapp, the incident started in Vancouver Heights when a neighbor called 911 reporting several individuals hauling pillowcases full of loot from a home to a white, 4-door vehicle with Oregon plates.

“Sgt. Alie spotted the vehicle driving through the neighborhood at a high rate of speed,” stated Kapp, “and attempted a traffic stop.”

Illuminated by street lamps, and the lights from nearby convenience store, a member of the SERT team heads out to back up East Precinct district officers during the manhunt that continued throughout the night.

Suspected thief takes a shot
As he exited his patrol car, one of the passengers of the suspect vehicle opened fire, and shot Alie in the chest. Fortunately, he was wearing a bullet-resistant, ballistic vest, and the injury was minor.

The white sedan took off and headed south, into Oregon, on I-205.

Talking to us near a roadblock on S.E Holgate Boulevard near SE 112th Avenue, Portland Police Bureau spokesperson Detective Mary Wheat filled us in on what happened next. “Our officers followed up on information that the suspect vehicle might be in the area of S.E. Portland. They spotted the possible suspect vehicle in the area of SE 114th Avenue and Pardee Street. Two possible suspects fled on foot from the vehicle.”

The suspected thieves and cop-shooter didn’t get far; Wheat said two subjects were taken into custody a few minutes later, and detained.

Despite the arrests, police kept the neighborhoods quarantined until they removed their roadblocks about 6:30 a.m. on April 16. We learned from an official who was at the scene that police were looking for additional suspects; whether or not they were located was left uncertain.

The neighborhood was in “lockdown” until dawn of the following day.

Suspects’ identity remain a mystery
“The two individuals have been arrested and booked on charges unrelated to last night’s incidents in Vancouver,” Kapp told us at deadline. “Charges regarding the burglary and shooting will be referred to the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office for review. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, the names of those individuals are not being released at this time.”

Officials say the crooks took a shot at this man, Vancouver Police Sgt. Jay Alie; he has been released from the hospital, Kapp said, and did not sustain serious injuries because of his bullet-proof vest.

Wheat added, “Detectives continue to process evidence, and several search warrants are being served related to this ongoing investigation. The Vancouver Police Major Crimes team is working closely with the Portland Police Bureau. No further information is available.”

© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

SEE UPDATES BELOW!
See what happens when a cop car – speeding to a call, apparently without flashing emergency lights or siren – blows through an intersection with a busy outer East Portland street at night …

Authorities say Gresham Police Officer Joshua Linstrom was driving the squad car that slammed into a minivan, killing one, on June 1.

Story and Photos by David F. Ashton
The stillness of a summer’s evening is often broken by the sound of cars racing on main highways in outer East Portland like NE Glisan St. But, the neighborhood in outer East Portland had quieted down by 9:25 p.m. on June 1.

29-year-old Gresham Police Officer Joshua Linstrom, a member of the force for less than a year, responded to another officer’s call asking for help to catch “speed racers” in the area.

“The patrol vehicle was traveling North on NE 188th Ave.,” Sgt. Teddi Anderson Gresham Police spokesperson told us at the scene that night. “At NE Glisan St., the vehicle collided with a minivan. There were no fatalities.”

What Anderson didn’t know at the time, as she spoke with us that night, was that 29-year-old Marino Sanchez-Sanchez–one of the minivan’s three occupants riding in the back seat–had been pronounced dead at Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center.

Fatal crash investigators called in from the Portland Police Traffic Division heard from witnesses that the patrol car didn’t heed the stop sign at NE Glisan St. when it plowed into the side of a 1996 Dodge Caravan.

Riding in the back seat of the minivan when it was T-boned by a Gresham police car, Marino Sanchez-Sanchez was pronounced dead at Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center after the accident.

“There is a lot of racing here,” said resident Ron Skov at the scene, “but I didn’t hear any tonight. I heard a crash, went outside and saw a cop get out of his car. He limped over the minivan ‚Äì it was really crunched — and looked at the people inside.” The area quickly filled with police cars, Skov said, and they suggested he step back. “I did.”

“I didn’t hear any siren sound,” said neighbor Judy Nichols, “And after I heard the crash and ran out to see what happened, the cop car didn’t have its flashing red and blue lights on.”

Police haven’t commented on whether Linstrom was responding “Code 2”, with emergency lights on, or “Code 3”, with lights and sirens. According to Portland Police spokesperson, Sgt. Brian Schmautz, Oregon law requires emergency vehicle drivers to use warning lights and sirens when going through a stop sign or stop light.

The driver of the T-boned minivan, 33-year-old Diego D. Martinez of Portland, and his other passenger, Jose Luis Bahena, 37, of Vancouver, checked out of Legacy Emanuel Hospital two days later. They were said to be in relatively good condition. The survivors wondered aloud to reporters if the case would be hidden away, or if they would see justice as it was investigated.

Multnomah County senior deputy district attorney Chuck Sparks is investigating the case. It could be heard by a grand jury. The investigation could take weeks to wrap up, police and prosecutors.

UPDATE: Cop back on duty
Linstrom, returned to the Gresham Police force on July 17, but was assigned to a desk job. Officials say the officer may return to active patrol duty as soon as July 24.

UPDATE: Grand Jury: No criminal charges
On July 21, it took a Grand Jury panel four hours to return a “not true” bill for one charge of criminally negligent homicide and two counts of third-degree assault, against Linstrom.

In a press release, Chief of Gresham’s police bureau, Carla Piluso, said their organization will conduct their own investigation “‚Ķ to ensure that no policy, procedures or general orders of the Gresham Police Department have been violated.”

In numerous media interviews, friends of Marino Sanchez-Sanchez expressed their concern that there will be no justice because the driver who destroyed the minivan and took Sanchez-Sanchez live was a cop.

¬© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News

Two were injured in the blaze that did $900,000 worth of damage; fire inspectors won’t say how this fire started ‚Ķ

Firefighters stayed at the two burned houses in the 3300 block of NE 72 Avenue worked long into the night making sure the fire that got into the walls and attics of both homes was completely put out.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
It isn’t often firefighters are called to fight two house fires ‚Äì right next to one another ‚Äì at the same time. But that’s exactly what 80 firefighters did on the evening of October 22.

And, apparently, those living in the homes didn’t know about the blaze, until neighbors and firefighters told them to evacuate immediately.

Neighbors witness flames, hear explosions
Jenny Mitchell lives across the street from the most heavily-damaged house. She told East PDX News, “We saw the shed was on fire. It started the gray house on fire. It spread over to the white house.”

Soon, Mitchell said, the fire was roof high. “You could see flames in both houses. Then, there was fire coming out the roof of the gray house. The firefighters were here right away. It was pretty scary.”

John Andrews said he heard explosions or gunshots shortly after the fire started. Fire officials said the explosions were most likely due to aerosol cans exploding in the fire, and a propane tank that vented off pressure from the fire’s heat.

Concerned people were trapped inside
“We were concerned when we learned people were still in those houses when we arrived,” Portland Fire & Rescue 3rd Battalion Commander Jay Olson told us on scene. “Everyone got out, but one resident burned his hand. He was treated at the scene by an ambulance paramedic.”

Narrow streets, house design complicate efforts
“This narrow street was an issue,” Olson said, “Crews had to walk in, and carry gear from some distance.”

Firefighters quickly divided unto teams to attack the fires in both houses.

“Fire was running up between the interior and exterior walls of the homes,” Olson explained. “In older construction, houses can have several different attic spaces. It takes a personnel-intensive effort to cut open walls, and attack the fire on each floor of the home. We had crews working on the first and second floors, the attic, and another crew cutting open the roof.”

By cutting into the roof, firefighters were able to make sure the fire didn’t spread in the attic, while ventilating smoke from the structures.

It took the combined crews about 30 minutes to get the fires under control; but firefighters worked long into the night, making sure all the hot spots were quenched.

A spectator asked why firefighters had to cut open the roof. “If we hadn’t, fire would have run the entire length of the attics,” Olson said. “Crews did a very good job getting up on top and fighting fires in several different fire areas.”

Outside the homes, crews maintaining the water supply. Because of the size of the event, relief crews came to help out. “One firefighter was injured while working on the roof, and was treated at a local hospital. Our crews did a very good job here tonight,” Olson added.

At the scene, Battalion Commander Jay Olson told us the fires had made these homes unfit to occupy.

Seven left homeless
Olson said the damage to the homes left them uninhabitable. Three adults and two children were displaced from one home; two adults from the other. Red Cross was on hand to assist with clothing and housing.

At this time, the cause of the fire is under investigation.  Investigators did say the fire appeared to have started outside on the rear porch of the northern of the two homes. It could take days to pinpoint the cause.

As a side note, the fire bureau asked we remind readers they recommend storing propane tanks outside in a well ventilated area; never inside a shed, a garage, or inside a home.

¬© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News

The fire burned so hot, the Coachman house trailer was quickly gutted even though firefighters arrived within three minutes of the call. See firefighters and rescue workers who saved the victim; learn why neighbors are puzzled …

A man, thought to have started the fire in the house trailer where he was living, is taken into custody by police when we arrived. He’s being checked over by a medic.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The Tall Firs Mobile Court, on SE Division Street near SE 156th Avenue, is pretty quiet, residents say.

But, a fire ‚Äì officials aren’t commenting on whether or not the blaze was intentional ‚Äì causes a commotion the evening of January 28. The 9-1-1 dispatch we hear indicates a man called emergency operators and indicated he had set his house trailer on fire.

Greg Salby lives across the driveway from the smoldering Coachman house trailer. “The fire lit up the night,” he tells us, looking at the smoldering frame of what used to be a home.

“Flames were coming out the sides, windows, everywhere. It doesn’t seem like a trailer like that would have that much stuff inside that would burn.”

Twenty-one Portland Fire & Rescue firefighters fight a losing battle to save the mobile home; but they do keep other trailers and from catching fire.

According to Lt. Allen Oswalt, spokesperson for Portland Fire & Rescue, the $20,000 travel trailer, and its $10,000 worth of contents, were a total loss.

“We’re always concerned when a fire breaks out in a park,” Oswalt reported. “With narrow streets, and tightly-spaced units, a fire like this can easily spread ‚Äì especially when driven by the winds.”

Fire bureau records show that the call came in at 8:54 p.m.; firefighters were on scene at 8:57 p.m. ‚Äì the fire was out by 9:09 p.m. “In total, we had 21 fire fighters, 6 engines, and a rescue unit working this fire,” Oswalt says.

We asked how the fire started.

“The report says, ‘Form of heat was unknown’,” answers Oswalt.

Whether he’s a victim or perpetrator is still unknown. All medics comprehended is that they had a patient who needed to be rushed to the hospital.

The condition of the man who was in the trailer when the fire started rapidly deteriorates. After being stabilized by paramedics, he is soon on his way to Emanuel Hospital. He was admitted in “serious condition” according to officials.

Not much left of the travel trailer that was once a person’s home.

Asked about the man suspected of being involved in the blaze, Selby, a 25 year resident of the mobile home park answers, “I knew him a little. He seemed like a pretty nice guy. I wouldn’t think he’s the kind of person who would do something like this on purpose.”

Laws prohibit hospitals from releasing the name or condition of a patient. As of this time, the man injured in the fire hasn’t been charged with a crime.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Details of the incident are still hazy, but take a look this car that came to rest, upside down, on the eastbound MAX light rail tracks …

With the use of a massive crane truck, workers were able to right this car; officials said it looked like the car flew through the air–after mowing down a sapling–and landed, upside-down, on the MAX Light Rail tracks.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
After repeated enquiries, officials still aren’t telling us how a tricked out, skinny-tire blue coupe ended its travels upside down on the eastbound MAX Light Rail tracks on February 16.

But, we do know this: About 10:00 p.m. on that date,  a call came over the police radio advising that an eastbound car on E. Burnside St. was overturned ‚Äì and on the MAX tracks, just east of the 156th Ave. pedestrian cross-over.

A look at these photos show how hard the nearby trees were hit by the car – they are completely knocked over.

It appeared as if the driver lost control and mowed down a sapling tree planted between the tracks and Burnside St. The tree then vaulted into the air, “Dukes of Hazard” style, and landed upside-down.

Eastbound MAX trains were cancelled for a time; TriMet busses were brought in to move riders around the accident area. Burnside Street was closed down for several hours while authorities removed the vehicle.

Is the accident under investigation? We don’t know. Portland Police Traffic Division officials haven’t returned our calls. Keep watching ‚Äì we’ll update this story if we get more information.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Officer Slyter isn’t “walking a beat” as punishment. See why this cop requested permission to trade his patrol car for a pair of sturdy walking shoes‚

Slyter meets the owner of a house, north of the tracks. He’s concerned because admitted meth users gave this address as their residence.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
A cop “walking a beat” seems like a quaint, an old-fashioned concept nowadays.

But one Portland Police Bureau East Precinct officer has “hit the bricks” and already is making a real, positive difference in the Parkrose area.

Officer Robert “Rob” Slyter’s beat is NE Sandy Boulevard. During his ten-hour shifts, he patrols between NE 102nd Ave. east to NE 122nd Ave. He’ll walk as far south as SE Prescott St., and go north of the tracks to NE Marx St.

Cop proposes foot patrol
Being put on “foot patrol” wasn’t a form of punishment meted out to Slyter‚ he suggested the unusual tour of duty — as an experiment in community policing.

As we stride south with the officer on NE Sandy Blvd, Slyter sums up his concept in one word: “Reconnecting”.

“As a Neighborhood Response Team officer, I talk with a lot of people in Parkrose. Both businesspeople and neighbors tell me they feel this is a ‘forgotten’ area of Portland. I don’t believe the area was consciously neglected. But with increased call loads, and less manpower, there’s less time available for district officers to work on ‘community livability’ issues.”

Looking forward to less crime and greater livability in Parkrose, Officer Slyter checks in with Anita Tabayoyon, at A.R. Moss Floral Design on NE Sandy Blvd.

Value of face-to-face
While walking his patrol, Slyter says he has met most of the business owners and managers along Sandy Blvd.

“Getting in to businesses and shaking their hands ‚Äì letting them put a face with the badge ‚Äì it becomes a lot more personal, between the community and us,” comments Slyter.

We turn into the A.R. Moss Floral Design shop, and are greeted by the owner, Anita Tabayoyon.

“I love it,” Tabayoyon says. “It’s nice knowing he’s somewhere close by. It’s great, looking out the window of my shop and seeing him chatting with people. It is really assuring.”

She tells us she hasn’t seen a remarkable change in the area during the month Slyter’s been on patrol. “But, I’ve noticed fewer ‘walking girls’ go strolling by. His ‘being here’ changes peoples’ attitudes.”

Slyter spends a moment with Ruth Ruby at Ruthie’s Rags.

Inside another shop, Ruth Ruby at Ruthie’s Rags comments, “Officer Slyter is a terrific addition to the neighborhood. To have an officer be seen walking along the street really helps. It is a deterrent to people who want to do things they shouldn’t.”

Lessons learned while on patrol
After visiting with Ruthie, Officer Slyter walks south and around the corner, to inspect a vacant building. “At least the owner has boarded up the back door.” He points out where crooks ‚Äì most likely meth addicts ‚Äì tore open the walls to steal the building’s electric wiring. “They strip it and sell it for scrap.”

Walking to a back outbuilding, Slyter comments, “There have been as many as three people living here. We chase them out, but others take their place.” He points to an ornately decorated gift bag sitting in the corner of the shed. “I’ve learned not to look ‚Äì it’s usually human waste.”

Benefits from past experience
As we walk, Slyter shares with us his perspective on being a cop for 15 years.

“Early on, I went through my phase of feeling that I was invincible; and that as a police officer, you should hear and obey me. That just doesn’t work. Ultimately, it’s not out what we’re out here to do. Our job is to be community policing officers. In order to do that, you have to be friendly, even if you’re not be in a friendly mood.”

Slyter explains that being Neighborhood Response Officer helped him sharpen his interpersonal relationship skills. And, time spent with East Precinct’s Crime Reduction Unit also added other abilities, further equipping him for dealing with all kinds of people.

A suspected prostitute takes issue with Slyter for interrupting her “stroll”, as she trolled NE Sandy Blvd. for her next customer.

Meet the neighbors
We cross Sandy Blvd and head north across the railroad tracks. A neatly-painted blue house on the east side of the street catches his attention‚ two men are standing outside.

One of the men claims to be the house’s owner and landlord.

“Do you know these two people? They’re admitted meth users; they’re saying they live at this house,” Slyter asks, as he shows to the owner the two names he’s written down in his leather-bound patrolman’s notebook.

The owner shakes his head. “No, neither of them are my tenants. I hope the renters don’t have these folks staying here.” He says he wants to sell his houses and stop being a landlord. “It’s so hard to find good renters.”

The men extend their hands, and the officer shakes. “Thanks for looking out,” they say as we walk toward NE Marx St.

Helps homeless family
The walk eastbound on NE Marx St. is uneventful. We ask Slyter to tell us about one of his more unusual arrests.

He ponders our question. “Arrests haven’t been all that exciting. Let me tell you about a good thing that happened last week.”

He relates how he came upon a family of five,  two adults and three kids‚ camping in a dome tent in Senn’s Dairy Park on at NE 112 Ave. and NE Prescott St. “They’d been homeless for a while.”

“It was sad. No one in the family had ever been arrested. The husband was not abusive to the wife. The kids are fairly well squared-away for their conditions. They’re not doing drugs. None of the shelters were set up for a family‚ that was also handicapped accessible.”

After hours of phone calls‚ and help from a precinct worker’s husband, who is the pastor of a Sellwood church‚ the family had found temporary shelter, and finally, a more permanent place in Gresham.

“The law says you kick camping transients out of the park,” Slyter commented.  He says he wouldn’t have been able to handle the problem this way as a patrol officer. “Ultimately, it was nice to help them.”

Works to increase quality of life
As we continue our tour, we ask Slyter about the infamous “no-tell motels” that line the boulevard.

He contemplates our question, and answers concisely, “Some cause problems, and some don’t. Most keep their places up, cooperate with us‚ and a few don’t.”

Using his well-honed community-policing skills, Slyter calms down this intoxicated elderly woman until she can be taken to the detox center.

Walking eastbound on Sandy, we come upon an elderly lady, sitting on the sidewalk, enjoying the sunshine, and refreshing herself with a “Milwaukee’s Finest” 32-ouncer. Her hands are shaking. Her name is Tammy, she says; she was released from the hospital “for seizures”, 18 hour prior to our meeting.

At first, Tammy responds rudely to the officer’s inquiries. Slyter calmly replies, “Drinking, and sitting out here on the street, probably isn’t going to help your medical condition.” She objects when he pours out her beers.

Sgt. Steele rolls up and verifies Tammy’s condition: She’s publicly intoxicated. She’ll be taken to Hooper for a detoxification session. “What will happen to my stuff?” cries Tammy.

“You’ll be out in four hours‚ if you’re nice to them,” Slyter reassures her. “If you’re unpleasant, they’ll keep you longer. Be polite, and you’ll be out soon.”

Slyter advises her that, if she’s going to drink, to do so in her motel room. She protests, and says she’s thirsty. Her lips look parched.

While we wait for a patrol car to take her to Hooper, Tammy sits on the sidewalk, trembling. Your street-wise reporter takes pity on this faded Parkrose flower, hikes to the mini-market, and buys her a bottle of water. “Mmm. It’s cold,” she says as she smiles faintly. She opens it and takes a long drink.

She looks up and comes to the realization that a stranger just gave her a gift. “We’ve been nice to you, Tammy,” we say, “now, it’s your turn. Be nice to the officer taking you to Hooper, and their staff.”

She agrees; the officers help her up, and we’re on our way.

Tons of trash cleaned from tramp camps
“When I started this a month a go,” says Officer Slyter, “I noticed transient-related issues. There were large dump sites north of the railroad tracks that parallel NE Sandy Blvd.”

Hidden behind the blackberry bushes, mostly on Union Pacific Railroad property, are transient camps. “These camps become dumps. I got a Multnomah County work crew that works with METRO to do a cleanout. In three days, they pulled bout 13,000 pounds‚ more than 6.2 tons, of trash and debris.”

To further reduce the problem, Slyter’s working with a railroad track maintenance supervisor. They’ll bring up a team of brush cutters to remove the brush along the tracks from NE 102 Ave. to 122 Ave.

Back in the brambles, north of the tracks, Slyter shows us one cleaned-out camps. He notes a fence pried open behind a business.

Not family camping
“This isn’t the ‘needy homeless’ that live here. The brush provides cover for people to use the drugs‚ and leave their needles behind. Prostitutes are servicing their johns, and leaving discarded condoms. In addition, the cover and concealment of the brush makes it easier for people to cut through fences and raid businesses along the tracks.”

The transients are looking to steal metal‚ new, used,or otherwise‚ that can be sold for scrap. “We’re hoping that by clearing this out, it will have a positive impact by stopping it.”

Slyter looks at a fence that was pulled away from the post, and shakes his head. “I asked this business to fix this two weeks ago. If the building owners mend their fences and provide good lighting, it sure helps.”

Signs of appreciation
We hear a truck horn toot; the driver waves at the officer. “We don’t get this kind of feedback when we’re in a patrol car,” Slyter says. “You only hear the people you’re arresting‚ and their family members‚ screaming obscenities at you. It is easy to become jaded, and start believing everybody dislikes you‚ and cops in general.”

We ask Slyter what’s the best thing about his experience of walking the boulevard so far.

“Doing this, people express a real appreciation for what you do‚ it does you good. We don’t do this job to get complimented, but it still nice to hear.”

After two hours of walking Slyter’s beat with him, we’re impressed with how well this officer has learned the nuances of his territory.

“Don’t step in that puddle,” he cautions as we cross SE 116th Ave. “That’s a deep one.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Although school was out for the day, learn why police “locked-down” Cleveland High School to look for a gun‚

After being locked in Cleveland High for an hour, social sciences teacher Terry Johnson says this incident is unusual in this typically peaceful school.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The final bell of the day at Cleveland High School had sounded, and most of the students had left the building on May 18.

Outside the school, on the northeast perimeter of Cleveland’s grounds, witnesses said two young men got in a fight. The brawler, bloodied from being on the losing end of the altercation, reportedly pulled out a gun. He brandished it without firing, and then ran back into the school.

Building goes into “lock-down”
Terry Johnson, a Cleveland High social sciences teacher exited the building about 4:00 p.m. and told us, “There was a report of somebody in the building, possibly with a gun. They told us to lock our [classroom] doors.”

But, with few students in the building, Johnson said he wasn’t worried. “If there were kids in the school, I would have been more concerned.”

SERT members, with the aid of a K-9 officer, make an article search of the school, looking for the gun‚ but no weapons were found.

After an hour, everything was quiet, Johnson said. “I saw police all around the building. It seemed safe for me to leave.”

Not taking any chances, the Portland Police Bureau SERT officers suited up, and entered the school. They conducted a room-by-room search, aided by a K-9 officer and dog.

Watching the police activity, Johnson said after speaking with us, “Cleveland High is a pretty peaceful place. We have great students here. It’s the first time in 26 years we’ve had anything like this.”

Officers from Portland Police Bureau’s Southeast Precinct stand guard as Cleveland High is searched.

“Nothing was found after a comprehensive search of the building; the suspect wasn’t in the building,” said police spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz. “The suspect in this incident, turned himself in. He has been identified as 17-year-old Joel Trejo-DeLeon, and has been charged with one count of Disorderly Conduct.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

You’ll see why these folks were given awards, when you take a look at this story‚

Members of the Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Crime Reduction Unit receive their “Unit Commendation” from Portland Police Chief Rosie Sizer.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Officers and staff of the Portland Police Bureau pause twice a year to honor, commend, and present medals to officers as well as civilians who have worked diligently, shown bravery, or have been injured in the line of duty.

On June 20, at the David Douglas High School Horner Performance center, a musical prelude by the Portland Police Bureau Highland Guard was followed with the posting of the colors by the bureau’s Honor Guard.

After remarks by Police Chief Rosie Sizer, master of ceremonies Sgt. Brian Schmautz began presenting awards in nine categories.

Some of the outer East Portland honorees included:

Unit Commendation‚ Crime Reduction Unit
The primary mission of East Precinct’s Crime Reduction Unit, (commonly referred to as the CRU team) is to provide law enforcement and safety to Portland’s outer Southeast Community, Schmautz explained, before he read the following commendation:

“The unit was formed in 2005 to address chronic drug-related property crimes, by focusing on the small percentage of identified career criminals responsible for the majority of crimes. Since its formation, the unit has successfully eradicated or reduced numerous problems that were pervasive in East Precinct. Dedicated to their mission, CRU has made it increasingly difficult for career criminals to commit their crimes in East Precinct.

“CRU supports the precinct by responding to major incidents, targeting major problem areas, serving search warrants, assisting the Neighborhood Response Team and Precinct Detectives.   The CRU team has developed a holistic approach to their crime fighting efforts.  They not only chase criminals, but regularly provide education, training, and community awareness to local schools, neighborhood block meetings, community members, the media, and partner organizations.”

Police Chief Sizer presents commendations to East Precinct officer Richard Steinbronn (his wife stands next to him) and to Cadet Nathan Huff.

Medal of Valor and Civilian Heroism Medal
This award was presented to the team of East Precinct officer Richard Steinbronn and Cadet Nathan Huff.

You may recall the story we covered last year on July 19, 2006, when police were called to the Eastport Plaza military recruiting office. They found a man who was said to be depressed and possibly suicidal

Officer Steinbronn was the first on scene. With him, on his first ride-along was new Portland Police Cadet Nathan Huff.

At the recruiting office, Steinbronn learned the man for whom they were looking was AWOL from the military, very depressed, suicidal, and likely armed with a handgun.

“As they spotted the subject,” Schmautz commented, “he turned toward the patrol car, sweeping his handgun in the direction of Officer Steinbronn and Cadet Huff. Officer Steinbronn immediately engaged the subject and fired four rounds. Three rounds hit the subject, but he did not react. The subject then raised his own handgun to his head and discharged his own weapon.  This round proved fatal and the subject dropped to the ground.

“During the confrontation, Cadet Huff made proper decisions and sought cover in the immediate vicinity

“In recognition of Officer Richard Steinbronn’s unselfish action to protect the lives of others, while placing himself at substantial risk of injury and demonstrating personal courage, Officer Richard Steinbronn is hereby awarded the Portland Police Bureau’s highest honor, the Medal of Valor.

“In recognition of Cadet Nathan Huff’s tremendous heroic action, demonstrating personal courage and selflessness, Cadet Nathan Huff is awarded the Portland Police Bureau’s Civilian Heroism Medal.

Police say this teenager, Cricket Huddleston, helped put a holdup man behind bars.

Civilian Heroism Medal
Fifteen-year-old Cricket Huddleston helped foil a bank-bag robbery on January 27, 2006.

Schmautz told the group Huddleston chased the crook from the Wells Fargo Bank on SE 82nd Ave. and Foster Rd., across the street and into the Fred Meyer store.

“Several citizens saw the activity, ran to her aid, and assisted by watching the exits of the Fred Meyer store. Portland Police Officers arrived and with the assistance of Fred Meyer Security they located the suspect inside the store and took him into custody.  The suspect was found to be armed with a stun-gun. The money was recovered.

“Miss Huddleston remained on scene, identified the suspect, and provided a statement to investigators.  She later testified in court, and the suspect was convicted of Robbery.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

What do you do when a TriMet bus passenger says he’s going to blow up the bus? You’ll get the story, and exclusive photos, right here …

Until the bomb squad carefully searched this TriMet bus, we were allowed to observe only from a great distance.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
It wasn’t a breakdown that delayed passengers riding the TriMet bus on Route 72, headed to Clackamas Town Center, on August 23rd at about 4:45 p.m.

Their ride was stopped cold by the threat of a bomb on board.

The incident began when passenger on the bus heard another passenger say something about blowing up the bus.

SE 82nd Avenue of Roses was shut down for nearly two hours while the EDU squad checked this bus for explosives.

When he learned that, the bus driver immediately pulled to the curb on SE 82nd Avenue of Roses at SE Flavel Street, and evacuated the bus. Patrol cars from two police precincts and a Transit Police unit raced to the scene.

The Explosive Disposal Unit soon arrived, but after carefully searching the bus, found no bombs on board.

Police say this man, Ryan Nau, was
responsible for the bomb scare.

Authorities said that 43-year-old Ryan Nau, charged with one count of Disorderly Conduct in the incident, has a history of “severe mental problems.”

A TriMet supervisor on-scene told us, “Something like this is an inconvenience to everyone, but we’ll never take a chance with the public’s safety.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service