Fire and Police « East PDX News

School zone speeders pay a hefty price

Don’t ignore the flashing yellow lights – or school speed zone signs – now that school is back in session. See what happens to scofflaws in too big a hurry, right here …

Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division Officer Doug Gunderson here tracks the speed of vehicles passing by Menlo Park Elementary School using a LIDAR gun.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
For the next couple of weeks – now that school’s back in session – cops are out to catch and ticket drivers speeding through school zones.

It’s not that they’re mean spirited – instead, they’re trying to save kids’ lives.

“The flashing yellow lights mean ‘drop your speed to 20 mph and keep an eye out for the little ones going to school’,” says Sgt. Dan Liu, Portland Police Bureau East Precinct School Police Supervisor.

We’re talking with Liu in front of Menlo Park Elementary School on September 4. As we speak, most cars are slowing down for the school zone. “Going 20 mph gives drivers a lot more reaction time,” Liu explains. “And, the children may simply not be looking. They’re excited about going to school, and, not paying attention.”

However, other drivers seem oblivious to the flashing yellow “school zone” lights – and even seem to overlook the half-dozen police cruisers stopping speeders along NE Glisan Street.

We walk over and stand next to Traffic Division Officer Doug Gunderso, as he takes speed readings off his LIDAR gun. A medical transport van zips past at 38 mph; Gunderson radios ahead to a patrol car that stops the van. “I think this one will be cited, not warned,” Gunderson comments.

Officer Charles Lovell writes up a citation; and it isn’t for good driving. “We’ve got to slow drivers down around schools.” He says.

We go into the school to say hello to Brooke O’Neill, Menlo Park’s Principal. We ask her if she feels this special speed enforcement mission is important.

“All summer long, traffic goes 40 mph, or faster, along NE Glisan Street,” says O’Neill. “We need drivers to get back into the routine of going slowly when they pass the school, any time during the day. We want our kids to be safe, and we appreciate drivers slowing down – and watching out – for our children.”

Fines for speeding in a school zone could be as high as $206.00, for as little as eleven miles over the posted speed.

Local garage sales new target for cash counterfeiters

When you learn how a homeowner got stung with a bogus $20 bill, you’ll see why you’re better off to insist they take a cheap item for free – or leave your property immediately …

This bill looks OK until you take a much closer look at it!

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The garage sale for the new Sellwood residents was a pleasant affair, although not a big money-maker, for the Smith* family on September 1.

“Overall, we had a nice day,” says Mary Smith*. “Friendly neighbors came to look, and a few people stopped look at the stuff we’re trying to get rid of.”

But, about 1 pm, as they were winding down their sale, a man who they thought would be their final customer of the day walked up.

“This scruffy looking guy doesn’t browse around,” Smith says. “He immediately picks up a door knob, priced at 25-cents.”

When the man asks if she can break a $20 bill, Smith tells the shopper to just take it.

“He was brisk and gruff,” Smith tells us, “and insisted on paying for the door knob with this $20 bill.” And, of course, he got change.

Here’s the back side of the fake $20 bill.

The man walked away quickly, down the sidewalk and hopped into an older “funky blue” Suzuki Samurai being driven a female. They sped away.

Because the man looked and acted so differently from everyone else who stopped at the garage sale, Smith says, she took closer look at the bill she was handed. “It doesn’t feel like money, and looking closely, you can see it is fake.”

Although her husband hopped in his car and tried to find the vehicle, scam artists apparently sped away from the neighborhood, $19.75 in change and a used door knob richer.

Tell-tale signs
Looking back on the brief transaction, Smith says it’s now clear how this scam works.

A car and get-away driver park up the street a couple of houses from a garage sale. The other person gets out, selects an inexpensive item, insists on paying for it, and passes a bogus bill.

“I don’t want other people to be taken in by these people – or others like them,” Smith says.

Look closely and you can see the “crop marks” to help the counterfeiters cut the bills to size after they’ve been printed.

Portrait of a crook
Smith describes the man as being a 5’8″ tall Caucasian with a dark tan, like he spent a lot of time outdoors. He has blue eyes and dark brown hair – short cut, but under a deep blue ballcap. At that time he was unshaven, with a day or two growth of beard. He was wearing jeans, a colored T-shirt and boots, perhaps work boots. His complexion was fairly clear, and appeared to have teeth (unlike meth addicts).

They made their escape in old, smaller open-topped jeep-like vehicle; possible a blue Suzuki Samurai. Because it was parked down the block, they didn’t get the license plate.

Don’t get burned by a bogus bill
“It wasn’t that great of a loss,” relates Smith. “When you look at the bill, it’s passable. But we still feel a bit taken and foolish. We don’t want others to be taken in like we were by these criminals – or any others – who are doing this.”

Making and passing counterfeit money is a federal crime. If you are victimized, call the Portland Police immediately.

*We’ve changed the name of the family affected to protect their privacy.

Fire on the mountain: Butte burn improves ecology, safety

Smoke from the ‘controlled burn’ on Powell Butte could be seen all over outer East Portland. See amazing exclusive photos, from the air and ground, and learn why this was a “good” fire …

Ten of the 30+ acres burned on Powell Butte, as seen from the air, reduced burnable materials near homes surrounding the park.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
While usually firefighters put out fires, members of Portland Fire & Rescue, Gresham Fire Department, and other area agencies, were busy setting more than 30 acres of Powell Butte ablaze on August 25.

The three organizations involved with this incendiary exercise say it serves four purposes:

Reducing the possibility of uncontrolled wildfires,
Removing non-native plants,
Practicing wild land firefighting, and
Testing NET team communication systems.

Lt. Allen Oswalt, Portland Fire & Rescue, and Mart Hughes, PP&R Ecologist, keep an eye on the largest “burn area” of the day.

Wildfire abatement
In 2006, the city received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Oregon Emergency Management to reduce the potential for significant wildfires in several natural areas within Portland, according to Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) District 2 Battalion Chief Kevin Brosseau.

“We’re lighting smaller fires around the edges of five different sections, and letting them burn in until the fuel [weeds] is gone,” says Brosseau, the PF&R officer in charge of fighting wild land fires.

It may look like a wildfire, but this “prescribed burn” is carefully controlled by firefighters.

Improving Powell Butte’s ecology
“Another piece of this project,” says Mart Hughes, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) Parks Ecologist, “is that this an ecological management program for the Butte.”

This burn acts as a “natural process” for Powell Butte’s grassland, Hughes tells us – as we watch the fire from atop a ridge on the butte.

“This prescriptive fire will reduce flammable non-native vegetation, including Himalayan Blackberry and other invasive, non-native species,” continues Hughes. “This burn helps prepare the site for seeding with native grasses and perennials. These will, in time, result in a grassland with higher wildlife habitat values.”

Wildfire fighting personnel and equipment from Boring to West Portland were participants in the burn project. Inset: the portable pool keeps water on hand for the tender trucks.

Visible from Vancouver
From the air, our pilot, Brent Grabinger, notes two plumes of smoke, as we climb to altitude from Pearson Airport in Vancouver, WA.

As we approach the burn zone, we can see many types of wilderness firefighting equipment deployed. Next to the pump trucks are what look like giant backyard play-pools. Brosseau later tells us these are actually temporary water reservoirs.

Looking down, we see that that Powell Butte is ringed by neighborhoods, homes, and retail stores.

Tommy Schroeder, a firefighter specializing in fighting fires where countryside meets the city, rides a specially-equipped ATV, while tending the fire-line on Powell Butte.

“Burn to Learn” exercise
On the ground, our escort on Powell Butte is Lt. Allen Oswalt, Portland Fire & Rescue’s Public Information Officer.

“If a fire here got out of hand, with all the dry brush on the butte, it could do a lot of damage,” Oswalt comments, as we creep up a trail toward the main staging area, riding in a fire department four-wheel-drive rig.

Specialized “brush units” from all over the greater Portland area – this one, from Boring – practice their wilderness firefighting skills at the controlled burn.

“We have a lot of areas in outer East Portland that have urban/wilderness interface areas,” Oswalt explains. “Our main goal is to help PP&R with their ecological project, and reduce the fuels. But also, we get the opportunity to keep our people’s wildfire-fighting skills sharp. Fighting wilderness fires is different than fighting structure fires.”

Using a “drip torch”, a firefighter lights a dry grassy area on fire.

Along the edge of a field, a firefighter is walking through dry grasses, dribbling a flaming mixture of kerosene and gasoline from what looks like a watering can.

Saying they usually put fires out, Oswalt adds, “Usually people don’t think of fire doing good, but this fire will be doing the ecosystem up here a real favor.”

David Fischer and Jason Campbell get information about the burning program from the NET Coordinator, Patty Hicks.

Emergency team training
In the public parking area on the north side of Powell Butte we meet Centennial Neighborhood volunteer Patty Hicks.

“I’m a team leader for the Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) here,” Hicks says as she cautions visitors about the burn. “They didn’t close the park – but I am kind of surprised people want to walk and bike here today.”

For their NET team members, this burn helps them develop their skills working with people. “And, we’re practicing communicating among one another. Because of the topography and trees, we are relaying communications. Also, we’re discovering which communication devices work best.”

Neighborhood Emergency Teams, Hicks says, are neighborhood volunteers, who are trained to help their neighbors in time of emergency. “We do this because we love our community, and our neighbors.”

You can help restore the natural ecology of Powell Butte by volunteering to help replant the burned areas with native plant species.

Participate in replanting
“We’re going to be doing a lot of restoration planting, including Oregon oak,” PP&R’s Hughes says.

“We’ll have volunteer plantings. If people here in outer East Portland want to help their community with land stewardship, this is a great place to do it. And, you can’t beat the view while you’re working,” Hughes adds.

Check East Portland News Service – we’ll publish dates and times for the upcoming restoration projects.

‘Prolific’ SE Portland car thief caught red-handed

In our continuing coverage of Portland’s skyrocketing rate of car thefts, see how taking just one car-stealing criminal off the streets can make the whole community safer …

Portland Police SE Precinct Officer Terry Colbert stands before a table, laden with goods allegedly stolen from cars in S.E. Portland.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Thanks to sharp-eyed cops, one less car thief is on the street. In this case, this means your car is now much less likely to be stolen.

When most people are heading to work on August 7, Portland Police Bureau Southeast Precinct officers, working an Auto Theft Detail [mission], are already on the job. They are on the lookout for a stolen 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid.

About 8:00 a.m. the officers spot the car and follow the car as it heads north on SE McLoughlin Blvd. The driver tries to ditch the cops by cutting into the neighborhood, but is stopped at SE 6th Ave. and SE Woodward St.

Wanted passenger bolts; is arrested
Police reports say the driver of the allegedly stolen car, 25-year-old Russell Konell, is taken into custody without incident.

But, a call from an alert reader reporting a large police presence, a foot pursuit, and an arrest in the area of SE 8th Avenue and Powell Boulevard at about 8:30 am, caused us to question whether or not Konell had complied with officers when he was stopped.

According to police spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz, Konell had a passenger in the car when it was stopped — 25-year-old Laura Wardius bolted from the car; she had outstanding warrants for her arrest, and was taken into custody.

More than a car thief
At Southeast Precinct, Officer Terry Colbert tells us that they’ve been investigating Konell for several weeks.

“Konell is prolific. We finally caught him behind the wheel of a stolen car,” Colbert says. “We target these guys, and try to get them off the street, so they’re not stealing more cars.”

A search of the suspect’s home turned up items police say were used for ID theft, various items including cell phones – and this loaded pistol.

Through interviews and investigation, officers are able to connect him with more stolen vehicles, adds Colbert. “We got a search warrant for his house, and found a lot of property we believe is stolen.”

Colbert shows us items he says officers found at Konell’s residence, in the 1600 block of S.E. Rex Street in Sellwood. “It’s mostly things taken out of cars, like stereos, [GPS] navigation units, laptop computers, cell phones, garage door openers, and items used for ID theft. In a related vehicle, we found a loaded .22 caliber pistol.”

Police say they suspect this laptop computer was stolen from a car.

The property on display, Colbert says, is only part of the items Konell is alleged to have stolen. “We know where a lot of this property came from; we have released some of it to the victims.”

‘Jail time’ makes community safer
In the case of individuals they’ve identified as “prolific” car thieves, Colbert says they work to build multiple cases against them. “We refer those cases to the District Attorney. When charged with multiple property crimes, they will usually get more jail time, or be sent to prison. For that time they’re in jail, the community is a lot safer.”

Police accuse this man, 25-year-old Russell Konell, of being a “prolific” car thief.

This isn’t Konell’s first brush with the law. “This subject is on ‘supervision’ with Multnomah County Parole & Probations,” says Colbert. “He’s charged with two counts of Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle; he has a ‘detainer’ put on him by his probation officer. He’s currently in jail.”

In addition to stealing “high end vehicles” and theft from vehicles, officials say Konell has been charged with Possession of Methamphetamine. “He’s a good one to get off the streets,” Colbert comments.

CRIME STOPPERS

Homicide Detectives are continuing their search for 20-year-old Raymundo Marquez-Vela in connection with the August 12th stabbing death of 47-year-old Merle Graham. Detectives have information to believe the suspect is still in the Portland Area, and are asking for the public’s help in locating him.

Call Crime Stoppers at (503) 823-HELP (4357) or 9-1-1, if you know where police can find Raymundo Marquez-Vela.

Shortly before he died, the victim and other area residents heard the sounds of a domestic disturbance in the area. The victim walked over towards the argument to provide assistance and became involved in an altercation with the suspect. During the altercation, the victim was stabbed to death.

Vela is described as Hispanic male, 5’11”, 180 pounds with black hair, and brown eyes. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office has issued a Murder warrant for Marquez-Vela in connection with the homicide. Vela is considered armed and dangerous.

Additionally, Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest in this case – or any unsolved felony – and you remain anonymous. Call Crime Stoppers at (503) 823-HELP (4357) or 9-1-1, if you know where the suspect is located.

Detectives continue to seek witnesses who may have information on this investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Jim McCausland at (503) 823-0449 or Detective Steve Ober at (503) 823-4033.

‘Flying van’ causes 4-car smashup in Woodstock

It’s hard to believe that everyone walked away from this accident caused by a driver who witnesses say ran a red light …

This accident closed down the intersection of SE 52nd Ave. and Woodstock Blvd. for hours.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
From his home, two blocks away from the intersection of SE 52nd Ave. and Woodstock Blvd., Neil Paulson says he heard “a crash that sounded like something big running through a metal building.”

Paulson is one of many bystanders who tried to make sense of the scene that included four badly-smashed vehicles at this major intersection on Thursday, August 9.

Talking with numerous witnesses helped us learn how this intersection-closing wreck took place:

A gold Saturn, eastbound on SE Woodstock Boulevard, was preparing to turn north on SE 52nd Avenue on a green light.

A white Subaru, facing northbound on SE 52nd Ave., was stopped at a red light in the left-turn lane, waiting to turn west on SE Woodstock Boulevard.

And, a white Dodge Sprinter van southbound on SE 52nd Avenue was approaching at red light at SE Woodstock Boulevard at a high rate of speed.

“We’re walking up to this corner by Arby’s,” says witness Stella Vegay. “The van was coming really fast. It went through a red light and hit the gold car in the intersection. That made it fly into the air and roll over – right into the white car.”

Although paramedics say his injuries didn’t look traumatic, the driver of the Saturn is taken by ambulance for medical evaluation.

Sees van flying sideways at her
The driver of the Subaru declined to give us her name, but described the accident from her point of view. “I really can’t say exactly what happened. I was stopped at the [red] light. I look up and this big van is up in the air, wheels off the ground, and flying sideways right at me.”

The force of the impact a moment later was so great, it drove her car – and the Jeep behind it – back about 30 feet.

While Portland Fire & Rescue Station 25 personnel checked out the accident victims for injuries, we noticed a man wearing a shirt imprinted with the name “Intrepid Marble and Granite”, apparently the driver of the van that ran the light, telling police he’s leaving the scene. An officer requests he instead wait in the back of his patrol car.

A young lady arrives on scene and inquires about the accident. “That’s our truck. My dad’s the owner of the company; he sent me to see what happened,” she says. “He’s very upset. This isn’t good.”

Surprisingly, although the Saturn’s driver was taken to the hospital for evaluation, all persons involved in this accident were able to walk away from their vehicles.

The driver of the Subaru who saw the van “flying sideways at her” collects her personal items from her wrecked car.

Because there were no trauma injuries resulting from the accident, police say it won’t be investigated.

But an officer does say he’s “pretty sure” the van driver will receive a ticket for running a red light.

Cops campaign to curb stolen ‘steamers’

Who’d leave their vehicle running in the parking lot while they grab some coffee? Far too many average folks, cops say. Learn what they’re doing about this growing problem …

Sgt. John Scruggs gives a stack of anti-car-theft flyers to Aaron Linn at the Dominos Pizza shop on the 3600 block of NE 82 Avenue of Roses.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
So many drivers in outer East Portland leave their vehicles empty – and running – that crooks have a coined a name for these ready-to-steal cars.

“A ‘steamer’ is the street term for an unattended, running vehicle,” says Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Crime Reduction Unit Sgt. John Scruggs. “They call it that because in the colder winter months, steam comes out of the vehicle’s exhaust system.”

We’re riding along with Scruggs in his patrol car, as he gets ready for the next leg of his unit’s crime-reduction campaign on April 6. He, and other officers, are focusing on convenience stores and coffee shops, where people tend to leave their vehicles running while they make a “quick” pit-stop.

Curbing climbing car-theft rate
“Over the last year, East Precinct has seen a 41% increase in auto theft,” Scruggs reports. “Our precinct commander, Michael Crebs, assigned several patrol officers whose primary responsibility is to target the areas most affected by auto theft. Today, we’re distributing educational flyers. They’re part of our effort to help keep citizens from becoming crime victims.”

When we stop at stores, whether national-chain convenience stores or mom-and pops, we’re a little surprised to see Scruggs get a warm reception. “It hurts us when one of our customer’s cars are stolen here,” says the shopkeeper at an 82nd Avenue of Roses store.

Sgt. Scruggs adds, “We’re trying to convey to people that leaving your car running – whether in your own driveway, or at the store – is a bad idea. There are people who are looking for steamers every day. You’ll never see the person around the corner of the 7-11 stores waiting to steal your running car; you’ll only see your car as it drives away.”

CRU Officer Jake Jensen shows a copy of the flyers, sporting the “Take your Keys” message which officers hope drivers will heed.

Crooks steal cars for crime – and court

We return to East Precinct and talk with other CRU members who have returned from their information-distribution missions.

“Several cars are stolen every day in East Precinct,” comments CRU Officer Robert Brown. Many times, the thieves will commit more crimes using the stolen cars. Sometimes criminals will even steal a car to go to court – to appear on a stolen-car charge.”

Expensive judgment error
When a car is stolen, Brown says the first step is that the police will take a report about it. “Typically, your car will be found.”

But, the driver will pay dearly for the convenience of leaving their vehicle running, Brown continues. “You’ll have to pay for towing and storage. A lot of these joy-riding thieves drive them hard. They run them over curbs – they don’t care about your car. You’ll find things broken. They’ll do hundreds dollars worth of damage to your car. It is an expensive proposition.”

The officer says a stolen car may end up in a “chop shop”: Many late model Hondas or Toyotas are stripped for parts, like seats or automatic air bag systems. “In this case, you’ll be paying to get back a stripped, useless vehicle.”

The ounce of prevention …
A driver doesn’t need to install expensive, exotic security systems to prevent this kind of theft, Brown concludes. “All it takes is just to shut it off, and take your keys!”

Jeep snips utility pole; misses grade school by inches

We held this story until we could find out what caused this unusual crash. Do you believe the driver’s explanation?

Is it possible at an SUV with a stalled engine – driving at the speed limit on NE Glisan Street – could snip this heavy utility pole like it was a twig, and continue on into the school?

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Witnesses say a westbound Jeep Cherokee, on NE Glisan Street, veered across eastbound lanes of traffic and struck a utility pole with such force that it sheared off the pole at its base.

Even the force of that collision didn’t stop the Jeep – it continued across the parking strip and stopped in the bushes, just inches from Glenfair Elementary School, in the 15200 block of NE Glisan Street.

The result: Bundles of electrical power, telephone, and cable television wires dangle and droop down onto the street, closing NE Glisan for most of the afternoon on August 3.

“Ear witness” describes the wreck
Kids who came in for their summer lunch and educational enrichment program play outside the school – fortunately, behind the building.

In front of Glenfair Elementary stands Principal Shane Bassett, looking at the damage and shaking his head.

“I was in my office,” Basset tells us. “In the corner of my eye, I saw something – a rapid movement – and heard a loud ‘crack’. When I looked out my window, I saw the pole was broken. The car was still rolling toward the school building. It stopped before it hit the school. I saw him (the driver) get out, and walk around. He seemed OK.”

The driver of the Jeep Cherokee tells the paramedic he lost control when his “engine quit”.

“Shook up” driver questioned
Multnomah County Sherriff’s Office, Portland Police Bureau and Portland Fire & Rescue rush to the scene of the accident, close off NE Glisan Street, and cordon off the power wires, keeping kids and parents at a distance.

Portland Fire & Rescue firefighter and paramedic Jay Fink tells us the driver stated that his steering locked up when his engine quit.

“The driver is OK. He was wearing his seat belt.” Fink added.

The brush guard on the Jeep Cherokee was bent in a “v” shape, pushing deep into the engine compartment as it snapped the utility pole on two.

As we were leaving, utility workers were surveying the damage. “The way these utility poles are loaded, they’re under a lot of downward pressure. Because the weight is balanced, it makes the poles actually stronger. It takes a lot of force to snap one like this,” a power company worker commented.

Officials say they may never know the true cause of the accident. The Jeep is too badly damaged to determine exactly what may have transpired before the accident. The driver is not arrested, charges are not filed.

Careless drivers turn outer Sandy Blvd. into ‘wreck alley’

Is outer Sandy Blvd. jinxed? Discover what authorities say is behind the recent rash of vehicle collisions plaguing NE Sandy Blvd. in the Wilkes neighborhood‚

The eastbound commute for the driver of this Dodge Intrepid along NE Sandy Blvd., just east of NE 152nd Ave., ended abruptly when another driver crossed across the center line and hit him head-on.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
This week alone, two grinding smash-ups have totaled five vehicles on outer NE Sandy Blvd., shutting down one or both lanes of this busy street for hours.

Surprisingly, neither of these accidents induced trauma injuries.

Drivers walk away from head-on collision
Just after the morning rush hour on July 30, a westbound brown Buick crossed over the center line of NE Sandy Blvd., near NE 152nd Ave. It struck a Dodge Intrepid head-on.

Officers say the driver of this Buick caused the head-on collision‚ but wasn’t ticketed.

While officers on scene said that the driver of Buick caused the head-on collision, the accident wasn’t investigated, nor the driver ticketed‚ because there were no resulting trauma injuries.

“The officers on scene helped the drivers exchange information,” said Sgt. Brian Schmautz, police spokesman. “No citations were issued.”

Tailgater ticketed
Two days later, a mid-afternoon pile-up occurred on the same road, about 500 feet west of NE 148 Ave.

An officer takes down information while investigating a wreck officials say was caused by the driver of the Dodge Dakota following too closely to the now-demolished Toyota.

About 3:00 p.m. on August 1, a gold Dodge Dakota plowed into blue Toyota‚ ramming it into a rusty Mazda MPV van‚ which bumped into a black Hyundai Veracruz.

The driver of the Hyundai, the fourth vehicle in this crash‚ the one least damaged‚ told us, “Traffic slowed down for the red light. I heard a big crash behind me. I drove forward as far as I could without hitting the car in front of me. But I still got bumped. I’m OK, but the elderly driver of the blue car [Toyota] was taken to the hospital.”

Doug Smith says he was walking to pick up his mail at the senior living development on Sandy Blvd. “I don’t know why I looked up, but I saw the gold SUV drive right into the little blue car. It was going fast. I’m surprised it didn’t kill the driver.”

After being hit by the Toyota, this minivan had to be towed. “I don’t know what we’ll do,” the driver tells us.

The driver of the crumpled Toyota, 82-year-old Eldon Richmond, was taken to the hospital for observation and released.

52-year-old Lonnie Kute, driver of the Dodge Dakota responsible for chain-reaction pile-up, was cited for following too close, Schmautz reported.

Not paying attention
Outer NE Sandy Blvd. is straight, flat and has good sight-lines. The weather was clear and the road was dry on both days. We asked cops at the scene at both wrecks if outer NE Sandy Blvd. was jinxed.

“No, I don’t think that’s the case,” a Portland Police Bureau East Precinct officer told us. “I think people who frequently drive Sandy Blvd. out here are so familiar with it, they just don’t pay attention. All it takes is a few second of inattention to get into a wreck.”

Take a bite out of crime on August 7

See why you can forget about TV‚ and join in one of the many “National Night out against Crime” events‚ across East Portland on August 7‚

East Portland Crime Reduction Specialist Rosanne Lee and Wilkes Community Group Chair Ross Monn discuss plans for National Night Out, this year on August 7.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
It is time, once again, for “National Night out against Crime” (NNO) celebrations all across East Portland.

Held the first Tuesday of August, this year’s events do take place mostly on August 7. We say “mostly”, because some groups hold their events on the weekend before the “official” date.

NNO was created to heighten community awareness of crime and drug prevention; to generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; to strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and to send a message to crooks that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back against their criminal activity.

Why National Night Out is important
We ask Teri Poppino, one of two Crime Prevention Coordinators (along with her partner, Rosanne Lee) for East Portland, why “National Night out against Crime” is important.

“This is the time of year when neighbors can celebrate their community and neighborhoods,” Poppino begins. “Also, this event symbolizes community members taking a stand against crime‚ saying publicly that they, not criminals, are in charge of their block, their neighborhood, and their city.”

We ask Poppino how having a picnic or block party helps make a community safer.

“Neighbors who know one another tend to ‘look out’ for each other,” explains Poppino. “The act of getting together with your neighbors and meeting people you don’t know on your block indicates your commitment to community safety.”

Additionally, many of the larger gatherings feature visits by Portland Police Bureau officers, and crews from Portland Fire & Rescue. All registered events have public safety and crime prevention information packets available.

August 7‚ Outer East Portland National Night out against Crime Events

In addition to the following events, hosted by neighborhood organizations, many families are having their own smaller get-togethers. Food at these events is either free, or low-priced.

Wilkes / Russell Neighbors Picnic will be at Wilkes Park, NE 154th just south of Sandy Blvd., starting at 5:30 p.m.
Centennial Community Association & Harold Oliver SUN Schools’ Picnic will be at Harold Oliver Primary School, 15811 SE Main Street, starting at 5:30 PM.
Parkrose Heights Assoc. of Neighbors’ Picnic will be at Knott Park, NE 112th & NE Sacramento, starting at 5:30 p.m.
Argay Neighborhood Association’s Picnic is at Argay Park, NE 141st Avenue and Failing Street, running from 6:00‚ 8:30 p.m.
Lents Neighborhood Association’s “Ice Cream Social” is at Lents Park, SE 91st & Foster, starting at 6:00 p.m.
Mill Park Neighborhood Association is throwing a Block Party between SE 113 Ave. & 114th at SE Yamhill Street starting at 6:00 p.m.
Woodland Park Neighborhood Association is holding a Block Party in the yard and driveway at the home at 1737 NE 101st Avenue, starting at 6:00 p.m.
Madison South & Roseway Neighborhoods‚ For the first time ever, these two neighborhoods are getting together to sponsor their own National Night Out Against Crime. You’ll see your neighbors at Glenhaven Park at NE 82nd Avenue of Roses & NE Siskiyou Street, starting at 6:30 p.m. and running to 8:30 p.m.

“Whether you attend a small potluck dinner on your block, or a large neighborhood gathering,” says Poppino, “take this opportunity to join with neighbors across East Portland‚ and across the nation‚ to support crime prevention.”

Find your NNO Event here:
For our readers across the greater Portland area, click HERE to be taken to the Office of Neighborhood Involvement’s NNO web page. They have posted a complete listing of events in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.

Neighbors say a dozen people, not two, escaped SE ‘drug house’ blaze

Why do neighbors say they’re happy that this small house, just west of the Springwater Trail, was gutted by fire? Learn why, from our exclusive interviews‚

The fire burned so intensely, the interior of this bungalow was charred to the exterior walls.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Typically, people tell us they feel sad when they see a nearby home go up in flames, displacing the residents.

But neighbors of the home at 8740 SE Flavel Street say they’re overjoyed that the explosive blaze that started about 12:30 a.m. on July 26 burned so hot that it destroyed the front of the bungalow, and reduced the interior to cinders and ashes.

Neighbors say ‘good riddance’ to drug flophouse
Because those living near the burned home characterized the occupants as “violent participants in the hard-drug culture”, they ask their names not be used.

“Please don’t even say where our house is,” a lady begs us. “I’m still afraid of these people.”

Four different neighbors with whom we speak, during separate interviews, each tell us the house has been the center of drug activity for years.

“But ever since they [the current group] squatted on the property two months ago, it’s been really bad,” the most fearful neighbor relates. “They assaulted my pregnant daughter, kicked her in the stomach, and myself, and other people. They bashed my head on the concrete‚ all because we returned their dog. These are mean, vicious people.”

Neighbors‚ and official City of Portland housing inspection — say several people lived in the trailers parked behind the burned house we photographed from the Springwater Trail.

Lots of people, drugs
The official report says that two individuals safely escaped from the house.

When we check this fact, a man responds, “Two people? Heck, there were ten or twelve people living in there, all the time‚ and more, in the travel trailer behind the home.”

Another witness says she saw “at least a dozen people scattering from the burning house like rats from a sinking ship”.

Neighbors say the occupants are squatters, ranging in age from mid 20s to the 40s.

“What kind of drugs?” a man says, repeating our question. “All kinds of drugs. I don’t think they were picky.”

The fearful neighbor says, “A lady got assaulted the day after we did. She came to my house. She was so high, she was ridiculous. She had a meth pipe in her pocket. She said she was there doing drugs all day; they sell drugs.”

Yet another neighbor notes, “This house is ‘conveniently located’ just west of the Springwater Trail. It was like a drive-up drug stop for druggies on bicycles.”

Police and city investigate complaints
City of Portland records show an “Occupied Building Nuisance and Complaint” was filed on July 9 for “Trash & Debris, Junk, Garbage”. The house was scheduled to re-inspect the residence on July 25, the day before the house caught fire.

On July 10, a “General Housing Complaint” was filed with the City of Portland. According to official records, the file reads:

“OCCUPIED TRAILERS IN THE BACKYARD, PITBULL IS SEEN ON PROPERTY. VISIBLE FROM STREET, 15 PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE AND ABOUT 2 PEOPLE IN EACH TRAILER.”

Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Neighborhood Response Team Officer William Hoover confirmed that the now-destroyed house was the subject of police interest‚ over a period of time‚ for a number of reasons.

One neighbor says he walked through the charred ruins of this house. “It’s all gone now. They’ll have to tear it down,” reports.

Says children were taken from home
A man who says he lives “not far away” tells us DHS contacted him and asked him to take temporary custody of two children living in the house a few days before the fire. “Police have been here many times,” he adds.

“The police used to try hard to clean it up,” a witness volunteers, “but not so much lately. I think they changed the cops working in our area. We’re not sad to see them go. Hopefully, they’ll be out of the neighborhood now.”

River-cruising deputies look for boozy boaters

See why Sheriff’s Deputies are are writing tickets on rivers all over Multnomah County‚

On hot, sunny days, the boat dock at Sellwood Riverfront Park is abuzz with boaters and swimmers.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
As cool, wet June weather started to give way to hot July days‚ recreational watercraft suddenly appeared on our rivers in record numbers.

“This week is the start of our boating season,” says Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Sgt. Tim Lichatowich, as we step off the floating dock at Sellwood Riverfront Park an onto Sheriff’s Patrol boat “Freedom” in July 4.

In the cabin, we’re greeted by our captain, 14-year MCSO veteran Deputy Joe Graziano, who says he’s been “on and off river duty” for five years.

“This is the first major boating traffic we’ve had this year,” observes Lichatowich. “It seems that everyone pulled their boat, jet ski, or wave-runner out at the same time.”

This boater earned a violation citation issued by MCSO River Patrol Sgt. Tim Lichatowich for buzzing a boat dock at full power.

Ticketed for “buzzing the dock”
Minutes after we head north, toward downtown, Graziano flips on the lights and sirens and we head for an open-cabin outboard-powered boat.

“We’re seeing a lot of wake violations today,” explains Lichatowich. “We’ll be issuing a citation to this boater violating the ‘no-wake rule’. He was at full power less than 200 feet from the dock. We’re seeing a lot of that today.”

During their tour of duty so far today, Lichatowich says they’ve given out three warning tickets. “They all could have been tickets. I’m trying not to ruin people’s afternoon. But for gross violations, we have to issue a ticket.”

MCSO River Patrol Deputy Joe Graziano keeps an eye out for “deadheads”‚ logs floating just under the surface of the water‚ that can sink a boat or seriously injure a water-skier.

On the lookout for boozy boaters
After touring the Ross Island Lagoon, Graziano circles around near the dock at Sellwood Riverfront Park. “One concern is powered watercraft operating too fast near the dock,” says Lichatowich. “It’s not a swimming dock, but you can see swimming there on a hot day. It’s easy for folks in the water to be hit by a boat flying around there.”

The Sheriff’s patrol officers say they’re looking for people who are drinking. “The combination of alcohol and the hot sun slows the reactions and impairs decision-making for boat drivers,” Graziano says.

Lichatowich points out to us some people drinking on a boat tied to the dock. “We’ll check them later. It is not considered being ‘under operation’ if they’re docked.”

River Patrol officers warn that they’ve seen raw sewage flow out of this pipe, near Ross Island, even on hot, sunny days.

Hidden river hazards
“Especially for people waterskiing, watch out for ‘deadheads’ ‚Äì logs floating just below the water,” warns Graziano. “They’re dark, and it’s hard to see them. But if you hit one, it can sink your boat or cause serious injury to a skier. Make a couple of passes and check out the area before you ski.”

Another hidden hazard, Graziano says, is Willamette River water itself. He comments that he’s leery of water quality. “I’ve seen sewage flowing from the outfalls on a nice sunny day,” Graziano says pointing to the large, concrete pipe near Ross Island.

“It was a pretty murky brown, and we could smell it. There have been kayakers paddling in what amounts to raw sewage. I always wash my hands after I touch the water here.”

Safe boating suggestions

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office River Patrol reminds boaters:

Don’t drink and boat;
Don’t overload your boat;
Carry a cell phone in case of an emergency;
Make sure your running lights work;
Ensure children under 12 years wear a life jacket, and that there is a serviceable life jacket on board for everyone (and they suggest that all passengers wear their life jacket while on board a boat);
Ensure all your required equipment is on board and in good working order;
Be patient at boat launches (allow plenty of lead time to launch your boat);
Keep a good look out for other boaters;
Watch your wake around moorages and other small craft;
Be courteous; and,
If you don’t have a required boater education card, get one.

Because he wasn’t endangering anyone, this personal watercraft user was simply given a warning for traveling too fast through a no-wake zone.