Many victims found it hard to believe their homes were ransacked by juveniles who were not yet old enough to drive …
Using simple hand tools, cops say young punks busted into NE homes to steal.
Story and photo illustration by David F. Ashton
While investigating a string of residential burglaries, Portland’s East Precinct police detectives started seeing a pattern. The burglars generally forced entry through a door and stole small items such as portable electronics, credit cards and cash.
Detectives told us that they saw similarities among more than 100 residential break-ins that occurred along NE Fremont St., between Northeast 39th Ave. and Northeast 82nd Ave.
Based on information they developed, East Precinct detectives and officers from the Neighborhood Response Team executed a search warrant on December 5. They raided a home in the 5800 block of NE Prescott St. in connection with an ongoing investigation of residential burglaries in three separate precincts.
Suspected crooks not old enough to drive
In the case so far, police have arrested suspects 15-year-old Noah Hanning, 13-year-old Leighton Hanning, and 14-year-old Kyle Francis, and charged each with one count of Burglary in the First Degree.
These youthful suspected criminals fancied themselves part of a loosely-knit street gang known by the acronym “FDP”, which they told detectives means “F*** Da Police”. Cops said they used proceeds from their crimes to buy pot.
If you live in this area, and your home was hit in the last couple of months, call the East Precinct Property Crimes detectives at (503) 823-4802 and give ’em a hand.
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
These death-peddlers thought they could hide their dope-for-sale in the battery of their vehicle. But, see what East Precincts Crime Reduction Unit cops found when they under their vehicle’s hood ‚Äì and in their motel room ‚Ķ
This wad of American cash, and dope, stashed in this car battery are sending two meth dealers to jail. (PPB CRU Photo)
Story by David F. Ashton
The night manager of the motel thought a couple of his lodgers looked and acted a bit sketchy. He did the right thing – and called the cops.
Not just any police came out. Portland Police’s crack East Precinct Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) showed up at the motel in the 9700 block of SE Stark St.
Based on the information from the manager, the CRU cops tapped on the door of the suspects in a motel room. CRU officers know how to legally coax crooks into conversation. While they chatted, the officers spotted a wad of cash – $6,480 to be exact – in the motel room. The suspects then gave officers permission to check out their vehicle.
Oh, so clever! These dope dealers rigged a batter to still give juice while it holds a big stash of drugs and cash. (PPB CRU Photo)
Battery turns out to drain dealers’ stash
CRU cops know all the tricks. They found the vehicle’s battery rigged with a hidden compartment. Inside the battery compartment, officers found approximately 2 pounds ‚Äì not ounces, but POUNDS ‚Äì of methamphetamine and $44,260 in cash.
They hooked up and arrested 25-year-old Cristobal Valencia-Santoyo and 24-year-old Juan Carlos Lopez-Valencia on one count each of Manufacturing of a Controlled Substance, Distribution of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Both claimed to be Mexican National residents and were given a new room at the Hotel Graybar – the Multnomah County Jail. ICE has placed a hold on both suspects.
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
A mid-day apartment house fire could have been worse, but see how the fast response from three fire stations limited the damage …
By cutting open the roof and quenching the fire from the attic, they kept the two-story unit from burning down.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Even though the apartment building was set far back on the property, making it difficult to reach, fire crews still made short work of a fire that broke out around noon on December 6.
Portland Fire & Rescue stations 29 and 45 – aided by a Gresham Fire unit – raced to the 15200 block of SE Division St.
“There was a good amount smoke showing on the second floor apartment when we arrived,” Battalion Chief Dave Disciascio told us on scene.
Firefighters had to run long lengths of hoses to reach the burning building.
“It’s deep set on a flag lot,” Disciascio explained. “This made access very difficult. Our companies had to lay their hose a long way from Division St.”
The chief said they suspected the fire from the unit had spread to the attic. “Our firefighters quickly opened the roof and found fire. They got water on the fire and stopped it before it spread throughout the length of the building.”
We learned, unofficially, that the fire may have been caused by furniture or other flammables being placed too close to a heater. The fire remains under investigation.
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
We showed you the scene at which a man was murdered the night before Thanksgiving Day. Now, police think they know who committed the crime. If you help the cops find him, you could get a $1,000 reward …
Police looked for evidence on NE 148th Avenue after they found the body of a murdered man.
Story and photo by David F. Ashton
As you may recall, we ventured out on that blustery evening before Thanksgiving to see why police shut down NE 148th Avenue near midnight.
We found East Precinct officers responded to a call reporting a violent fight that evening. Officers arrived and discovered the victim’s body in a common area of the apartment complex.
Police officials now say an investigation has identified 29-year-old Garcia Sanchez as a suspect in the homicide on November 22; a warrant issued charges Garcia Sanchez with one count of Murder.
Garcia Sanchez is associated with a maroon-colored small import 4-door vehicle with no plates. The vehicle may be a Nissan and was last seen with a DMV “temporary” sticker displaying the date 10/31/06.
Murder suspect’s description
Garcia Sanchez is described as a 5’8″ 160-pound Hispanic male with brown hair and eyes. Garcia Sanchez has tattoos with the name “Gloria” on his neck, chest and abdomen. Garcia Sanchez is considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Ken Whattam at (503) 823-0696 or Detective Barry Renna at (503) 823-0255.
Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to an arrest in this case, or any unsolved felony, and you remain anonymous. Call Crime Stoppers at (503) 823-HELP (4357).
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
Two appalling accidents, two days apart, had nothing to do with rain or ice. But, the resulting injuries sent drivers to the hospital …
Portland Fire & Rescue crewmembers work to free the driver from her vehicle after it careens into a utility pole, snapping it like a twig.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The story of a wreck that closed down SE Foster Road on November 27 starts down in Clackamas County.
A few minutes before this crash, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Officer Deputies tells us, someone phoned 911 Emergency regarding a Kia, going north on I-205 near Johnson Creek Boulevard. “The car was swerving around the freeway,” says the deputy. “The call was relayed to us; we were trying to catch up with the vehicle, but weren’t chasing it.”
James Kosmecki and his daughter were coming home from school about 4:00 p.m. They were going east on SE Foster Road, and fall in behind the Kia. “The driver was mostly on the shoulder,” Kosmecki says. “My impression was it was going to make a right turn somewhere.”
Suddenly, the Kia veered into the right lane, then the center lane, then back again, almost bouncing off the curb. “I was about to call in the plate number for suspicious driving,” Kosmecki continues. “The car made it through the yellow light at 122nd Ave.; but I stopped. It looked like the driver picked up speed going through the light ‚Äì maybe doing 45 or 50. This person was driving like they were seriously impaired.”
A service attendant tells us he was looking east as the Kia whizzed past him at SE 122nd and Foster Rd. “She [the driver] jumped up on the curb and slammed into the pole and snapped it,” he says. “The truck stopped her. No reason at all for it that I can see.”
No support – the top of this utility pole dangles dangerously after the speeding car smashed out the lower portion.
The Kia sheared a power pole ‚Äì knocking out the lower eight-foot portion, leaving the top dangling, suspended dangerously from the wires above. The vehicle’s careening journey ends as it plows into the back end of a parked truck. Airbags deploy. Sheriff’s deputies are on scene moments after the horrific collision.
Some said the driver of this Kia, being prepared for ambulance transport to the hospital, is lucky to be alive.
Within minutes, a Portland Fire & Rescue crew from Station 29 swiftly works to extract a woman, said to be the only occupant of the vehicle. Her medical condition remains unknown due to new federal confidentiality laws.
“The driver is definitely impaired, but we don’t know the cause ‚Äì if impairment is due to intoxication or a medical condition,” a Sheriff deputy tells us at the scene. “The driver is not in any condition for a field sobriety test.”
Mechanical failure sends one to hospital
The injured driver in this accident is being stabilized before being loaded into the ambulance.
It was raining the evening of November 25, but slick streets didn’t contribute to this accident, authorities say.
Just after weekend traffic starts to peak on SE 82nd Ave. of Roses, drivers are routed east and west on SE Yamhill Street because of a grinding wreck.
This victim, hit by a loaded, out-of-control pickup truck, is sent to the hospital.
Authorities on scene aren’t talking. But a young man, who identifies himself as the driver of the truck tells us, “I was trying to move my stuff. My brakes gave out. I did the best I could, but I couldn’t stop. I tried to swerve out the way, but still caused the accident. I hope the other person is OK.”
The condition of the driver who was sent to the hospital is unknown.
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
East Precinct Police officers were running in the rain, from call to call, while most people dreamt of the morrow’s feast ‚Ķ
A 29-year-old man died in the street here on 148th Ave. the night before Thanksgiving Day. Police say they have little to go on.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Other than the howl of wind-blown rain, it seemed like the night before Thanksgiving Day would be peaceful. Then, not long before midnight, police officers who serve outer East Portland became deluged with calls.
Gang activity caused officers to cordon off blocks out by the PAL club. Drunk drivers took to the roads. And, a man was stabbed to death.
“Here in Dispatch,” the news-line 911 Communicator told us, “we’re wondering why people aren’t just staying home on such an awful night.”
Officers were called to investigate a street fight, but all they found was a stabbing victim.
Murder in Glenfair
At 11:00 pm, East Precinct officers were radioed to check on a fight and possible stabbing on NE 148th Ave. near Glisan St. When officers pulled up on their patrol cars, they didn’t see a fight. But, shining their powerful spotlights around, they did discover the body of an adult male who had suffered what appeared to be stab wounds.
We rolled on-scene just after the Mobile Precinct pulled in and homicide detectives began conducting an investigation.
According to Sgt. Brian Schmautz, The victim in homicide has been identified as 29-year-old Leonardo Perez. “He is also known by the name Marco Leonardo Perez. Detectives have not developed any suspect information and have not established a motive for the crime,” said the police spokesman.
Schmautz was able to tell us that the autopsy showed that Perez died of multiple stab wounds.
Drunks take to the road
Fortunately for good citizens, the cops were keeping a sharp eye out for early, overly-lubricated celebrants of the holiday.
All across East Portland, both precincts reported numerous encounters with inebriated drivers.
Police say a drunk driver took out this utility pole on SE 92nd Ave. around midnight.
We just missed seeing the vehicle towed away from SE 92nd Ave. at Duke Street. The drunk driver stuck the utility pole with such force, it snapped it like a twig. The wooden pole was suspended from electric power, telephone and cable TV cables as it dangled in the blowing wind.
Police blocked off SE 92nd Ave. until PGE workers could install a new pole. “Another DWII driver into another pole,” mused the damp officer at the site, “Why can’t people just drink at home?”
Two-alarm fire displaces families in Wilkes
Thanksgiving Day was spoiled for at least two families when a fire broke out about 6:30 a.m. when firefighters were called to an apartment building at 14200 NE Sandy Blvd.
Within moments after the call came in, the crew of Engine 2 arrived on scene. They saw “flames were rolling out of the ground floor apartment and smoke from the apartment directly above,” according to Lt. Allen Oswalt, Portland Fire & Rescue.
Oswalt reported that the fire spread to the second floor apartment through a window directly above the fire room, after the heat from the flames broke out the glass. Moderate damage was done to the second floor apartment and major damage to the ground floor apartment where the fire started.
All of the occupants escaped the inferno, Oswalt added.
Take a tip from a firefighter: “A working smoke alarm in your apartment can save your life,” says Lt. Allen Oswalt. (Note: We took this photo at a training exercise, not at this fire.)
Commenting on this fire, Oswalt added, “When you live in an apartment you are only as safe as you make yourself. Don’t rely on the other tenants. Take responsibility for your own safety, and make sure you have two ways to escape. Above all have a working smoke alarm in your apartment.”
The fire is under investigation.
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
Follow along, and see how specialized training keeps Southeast Portland firefighters on their toes, to better save lives …
We used a flash to photograph members of Southeast Portland Fire & Rescue Station 25’s Truck company, in full turnouts and wearing breathing apparatus, crawl through a pitch-dark abandoned factory, in search of a “disabled firefighter”.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Over a dusty, rutted road, Truck 25 – a long, Portland Fire & Rescue ladder rig, based in Southeast Portland, steered around corners by both front and rear drivers – picks its way toward an abandoned factory in Troutdale.
These seasoned firefighters are on their way to a class and training session.
“Today, we’re covering a change in procedure,” Lt. Don Stauffer, Portland Fire and Rescue’s District Training Lieutenant, tells us. Firefighters from three stations gather in the open-air loading dock. Chairs are set up, classroom style, and a white-board is nailed to the building’s chicken-wire and tar-paper wall.
Before the training exercise, Lt. Don Stauffer covers procedure changes and outlines the scenario.
Back to school
Sitting in on the class, we learn the topic is “Air Management” ‚Äì making sure firefighters keep enough air in their breathing tanks to get out of a burning building alive. Stauffer emphasizes the importance of the subject, quoting statistics from the National Fire Protection Association: “More firefighters die from running out of air than die from fire.”
“We’re increasing the amount of reserve air. We now want firefighters to hold 25%, not 10%, of their air in reserve,” he instructs. The crews will conduct their drill under simulated emergency conditions, putting into practice this new procedure. While increasing their safety, the new policy gives firefighters less time to work while having to breathe bottled air.
“In our scenario today,” Stauffer explains, “we have two firefighters down [injured, and running out of bottled air]. To simulate the structure being filled with smoke, we’ll be doing this drill completely in the dark ‚Äì no flashlights. Locate them, get an extra air supply on them, and bring them out to the exit point.”
To help prevent injury, firefighters warm up before suiting up for the drill.
After the formal learning session, firefighters “warm up” by doing stretching exercises, much like athletes before training.
As the firefighters don their turnouts, tanks, and masks, we ask Stauffer why the Fire Bureau didn’t simply send out a memo explaining the new procedure.
Drilling for proficiency
“Even though we do this every day, drilling gets you more proficient,” Stauffer responds. “This means you’ll be able to react more quickly, and make better decisions ‚Äì especially in life-or-death situations. They’re highly skilled already. But simulations help them sharpen their decision-making abilities. To rescue people and save property, firefighters must first themselves stay alive.”
Station 25 firefighters Mike Schultz, Mark Gift, Zach Parrish and Jeremy Paul don their gear and check each other’s equipment before entering the building.
The training team has blacked out the building’s interior. We enter the first floor of the building — originally a wool processing plant — getting ready to photograph the entrance of the crew from Truck 25. After our eyes adjust to the darkness, the only light visible is the dial of the instructor’s wristwatch.
The firefighters enter and begin their drill in complete darkness. A hose line, stretched on the floor, is their only guide as they crawl around obstacles. They follow the hose up a staircase. Within minutes, they come to the aid of their fallen comrade; they successfully complete the drill.
Then, as it happens, within hours of training, the crew of Station 25 was off on a real call, putting to use their newly-honed skills, saving lives and property.
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
Follow along, and see how specialized training keeps Southeast Portland firefighters on their toes, to better save lives …
We used a flash to photograph members of Southeast Portland Fire & Rescue Station 25’s Truck company, in full turnouts and wearing breathing apparatus, crawl through a pitch-dark abandoned factory, in search of a “disabled firefighter”.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Over a dusty, rutted road, Truck 25 – a long, Portland Fire & Rescue ladder rig, based in Southeast Portland, steered around corners by both front and rear drivers – picks its way toward an abandoned factory in Troutdale.
These seasoned firefighters are on their way to a class and training session.
“Today, we’re covering a change in procedure,” Lt. Don Stauffer, Portland Fire and Rescue’s District Training Lieutenant, tells us. Firefighters from three stations gather in the open-air loading dock. Chairs are set up, classroom style, and a white-board is nailed to the building’s chicken-wire and tar-paper wall.
Before the training exercise, Lt. Don Stauffer covers procedure changes and outlines the scenario.
Back to school
Sitting in on the class, we learn the topic is “Air Management” ‚Äì making sure firefighters keep enough air in their breathing tanks to get out of a burning building alive. Stauffer emphasizes the importance of the subject, quoting statistics from the National Fire Protection Association: “More firefighters die from running out of air than die from fire.”
“We’re increasing the amount of reserve air. We now want firefighters to hold 25%, not 10%, of their air in reserve,” he instructs. The crews will conduct their drill under simulated emergency conditions, putting into practice this new procedure. While increasing their safety, the new policy gives firefighters less time to work while having to breathe bottled air.
“In our scenario today,” Stauffer explains, “we have two firefighters down [injured, and running out of bottled air]. To simulate the structure being filled with smoke, we’ll be doing this drill completely in the dark ‚Äì no flashlights. Locate them, get an extra air supply on them, and bring them out to the exit point.”
To help prevent injury, firefighters warm up before suiting up for the drill.
After the formal learning session, firefighters “warm up” by doing stretching exercises, much like athletes before training.
As the firefighters don their turnouts, tanks, and masks, we ask Stauffer why the Fire Bureau didn’t simply send out a memo explaining the new procedure.
Drilling for proficiency
“Even though we do this every day, drilling gets you more proficient,” Stauffer responds. “This means you’ll be able to react more quickly, and make better decisions ‚Äì especially in life-or-death situations. They’re highly skilled already. But simulations help them sharpen their decision-making abilities. To rescue people and save property, firefighters must first themselves stay alive.”
Station 25 firefighters Mike Schultz, Mark Gift, Zach Parrish and Jeremy Paul don their gear and check each other’s equipment before entering the building.
The training team has blacked out the building’s interior. We enter the first floor of the building — originally a wool processing plant — getting ready to photograph the entrance of the crew from Truck 25. After our eyes adjust to the darkness, the only light visible is the dial of the instructor’s wristwatch.
The firefighters enter and begin their drill in complete darkness. A hose line, stretched on the floor, is their only guide as they crawl around obstacles. They follow the hose up a staircase. Within minutes, they come to the aid of their fallen comrade; they successfully complete the drill.
Then, as it happens, within hours of training, the crew of Station 25 was off on a real call, putting to use their newly-honed skills, saving lives and property.
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
Even though firefighters – a lot of them – reached this home near Eastport Plaza quickly, see how devastating a blaze can be. And, learn what may have kept the fire from turning the home into a heap of smoking cinders …
While the results of the fire devastated this SE Portland home, prompt action by crews from four fire stations prevented a total loss of the structure.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The cold and damp weather of the mid-evening hours, November 7th, kept most nearby neighbors inside. They didn’t see the thickening plume of black smoke coming from the garage of the home in the 4600 Block of SE 85th Avenue.
“As fire companies approached SE 85th Ave. along Holgate St., near Eastport Plaza, they saw heavy smoke,” reported Portland Fire Bureau Battalion Chief C3 Erin Janssens. “Coming up the hill, firefighters saw the smoke pouring from the back of the residence, and saw fire had involved both the garage and the house.”
Quickly, crews from fire stations 11, 25, 19, and 29 pulled hoses, and started quenching the blaze.
The fire was out in less than 10 minutes after the firefighters arrived on scene, Janssens told us at the scene. “While the home was heavily damaged, firefighters kept the fire from extending into the attic, preserving the structural integrity of the home.”
By the time we arrived on-scene, the firefighters had extinguished the blaze and were packing up their gear.
Residential alarm summons help
Janssens said no one was home at the time of the fire; and the first calls reporting the blaze didn’t come from a neighbor. “What did alert us, at an early phase in the fire, was the homeowners’ residential alarm system.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
Person after person slipped money to Multnomah County Sheriff’s deputies, but they weren’t trying to bribe these public safety officials. Go ahead! Read this article and find out what this was all about ‚Ķ
Serving the Searls family are Multnomah County Sheriff’s deputies Scott McDowell and Jonathan Zwick, along with Red Robin crew members Krisi Davis, Stacey Schuurmans and Tiffany Radmacher, as Deputy Joshua Zwick supervises at the “Tip-a-Cop” event.
Story and photo by David F. Ashton
On any other day ‚Äì and on any other occasion — slipping a sheriff’s deputy a few bucks will land you in jail for bribery.
But, at the Mall 205 Red Robin Restaurant on Sept. 30 – and other locations throughout the city and county – giving an officer a couple of extra bucks was a good thing on that day.
Official explains
“Deputies, command staff, and sergeants from Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office are waiting on tables,” is what Jason Gates, the new public information officer for Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office told us.
“We’re working hard, alongside the Red Robin staff, to help serve their patrons and, hopefully, get good tips. All the proceeds go to the Oregon Special Olympics. Even though we’re in uniform, all of us are here as volunteers, on our time off.”
“Tip-A-Cop” is an official fundraiser, Gates told us, for the Law Enforcement Torch Run, the largest grassroots fundraising effort for Special Olympics.
Gates said that he and his co-workers like supporting organizations like the Special Olympics. “They do so much to help our disadvantaged youth. Also, it gives us a chance to do something for the community beyond our work. We love our community, and we stand ready do more than just enforce laws.”
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
We’ve reported on this special unit since it started as the “Tired of Tweekers” mission. See how this handful of police officers are still making outer East Portland streets safer every day ‚Ķ
The Portland Police Bureau Crime Reduction Unit’s acting Sgt. Mark DeLong and Officer Anthony Passadore show people at the Commander’s Forum an evidence bag containing illicit drugs taken from suspected drug dealers.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
What started two years ago simply as a crackdown on methamphetamine dealers and users in southern outer East Portland has become a full-time unit of Portland Police Bureau’s East Precinct.
At the October Commander’s Forum, the “Crime Reduction Unit’s” (CRU) acting Sgt. Mark DeLong and Officer Anthony Passadore gave a well-illustrated progress report.
East Precinct’s CRU is comprised of officers who don’t take service calls. These cops are trained to spot individuals’ behavior which indicates they are involved in some kind of criminal enterprise.
Drugs, guns and money
“Our job is getting easier,” said DeLong, “because we see the same crooks over and over again. But, to keep them off balance, our officers go out at different times on different days.”
The officers say a suspect couldn’t answer a simple question because these balloons were stuffed in his mouth. We learned they are color-coded: Green for heron, white signifies heroin or cocaine, and pink is typically cocaine.
DeLong held up an evidence bag as he started his first story.
“We saw a person at a pay phone on NE 102nd. Nearby was a Honda Accord ‚Äì these cars are stolen all the time. This guy looked nervous when we pulled up and walked over to the car. I smiled and said, ‘Nice Car.’ He mumbled something; he couldn’t talk. We found out, after we encouraged him to spit them out, it was because he had balloons containing heroin and cocaine stuffed in his mouth.”
Making crime numbers drop
“We work to impact specific crimes that make the [crime statistics] numbers drop,” Passadore said succinctly. “We focus on drug-related crimes; people who sell or take drugs are usually doing other crimes. We’ve been especially trained to notice behavior that signals that something is amiss.”
“But we’re not a drug unit,” DeLong added. “We are a street crime unit.”
This photo shows some the cash, drugs and guns – including a sawed-off shotgun – which the CRU has taken off the streets of East Portland. (Portland Police CRU Photo)
Passadore recalls when they saw a suspicious couple in a car. “We asked if we could take a look, and found three pounds of marijuana in the car. At the man’s house, we found stolen handguns, including a Tech-9, money counting machine, and other stuff. In the process, we cleared four burglary cases. This guy was stealing from people in the community to purchase drugs and make more money.”
East Portland drug trends
The officers report they’re now seeing an increase of cocaine in outer East Portland. “Meth is still a problem,” Passadore said. “A big problem.”
The average heron user does two or three balloons a day, DeLong explained. “Some will do up to six. We’ve seen some addicts who inject it into their neck because they’ve blown out their arm and leg veins.”
“We’re constantly in the drug houses every day,” continued Passadore. “We’d like it if they all got treatment, but our job is to shut down their business. And, we have our work cut out for us.”
Houses of drug users, and especially “stash houses”, usually have violent crime associated with them. “We get ‘shots fired’ calls and respond to home invasion reports,” explained Passadore. “If we move drug houses out of an area, crimes drop.”
Solving, not moving, crime problems
While the CRU officers work to move crime out of East Portland, the officers say they alert law enforcement agencies in adjoining areas about criminals who may be moving into their area.
“We want to close them down,” Delong stated. “These people are not good neighbors. Their houses look, and smell, like a pig sty.”
Passadore said they work to do more than just disperse problems to other areas. “We break the bonds among people who steal, do drugs, live and ‘crash’ together. If we isolate the leaders, the amount of crime goes way down. When on their own, people tend to do less crime.”
A good example is a guy called “Moke”, Passadore said. “We ran him out of the A-Quality Motel in Powellhurst-Gilbert during the ‘Tired of Tweekers’ campaign. When we ran into him at 122nd and Powell, he was OK. He wasn’t out doing crimes. But he told us if he were back with his friends at A-Quality, he’d be doing crimes today.”
Gangs and drugs
Asked about the connection between gangs and drugs, the officers brought out a figure of Jesus Malverdie.
Officer Passadore introduces the group Jesus Malverdie, the “patron saint” of Mexican drug runners and dealers.
“He is the ‘patron saint’ of Hispanic drug smugglers,” explained Passadore. Although he lived long ago, he is thought of as a ‘Robin Hood’ character. The Hispanic drug culture adopted him as a good luck charm. If we see a photo or figurine Malverdie in a vehicle during a traffic stop, it isn’t ‘probable cause’, but is sure is a good indicator of drug trafficking. In drug houses, we see shrines with offerings of tequila, money, food, and drugs to him.”
Most gangs are in the drug trade to make money, and they make a lot of it by importing and distributing drugs, explained Passidore. “We engage lot of people in conversation. If someone is wearing gang attire, we’ll stop and talk with them. Some of them object, saying we’re targeting them because of their clothing. We say, ‘If you don’t like it, don’t announce yourself by wearing a gang uniform’.”
He continued, saying, “I’ll take a gun off the street ahead of a pound of dope any day. We try to seize guns from gang members.”
East Precinct Commander Michael Crebs shows citizens photos taken at some of the more recent CRU busts. He told the group the only complaint he’s gotten about CRU officers is that they are ‘too nice’ on the street.
CRU crew trains patrol officers
The CRU was originally composed of officers with drug crime experience. “Now we bring mid-career and new officers into the unit,” Delong said. “We teach how to identify drug trends, how to interact with drug dealers, and how to spot criminal behavior.”
East Precinct Commander Michael Crebs said part of the training CRU officers pass along is verbal skills. “I’ve actually gotten complaints from arrested suspects that our CRU officers are ‘too nice’ on the street. These people say our officers are ‘so friendly, I feel like I have to talk with them.”
Statistics tell the CRU story
The six officers and one sergeant who make up the CRU made 2,600 street contacts from June, 2005, through June, 2006, and seized:
- Meth: 5,165 Grams, (11.3 pounds)
- Marijuana: 203 pounds
- Cocaine 9.3 pounds
- Heroin 3.9 oz
- Various prescription drugs: 400 pills
- Firearms: 78 guns
- Cash $195,785
- Vehicles: 212
Want to learn more about how your police work to reduce crime, as well as the fear of crime, in our community? Look for the date of the next Commander’s Forum in our East PDX News Community Calendar.
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
Take a look and you’ll see why police are still trying to figure out how this wreck, which sent one man to the hospital, took place …
Two cars, a minivan, a SUV and a Tri-Met bus collided, shutting down SE 122nd Ave. just before rush hour.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The only things clear about this five-vehicle accident on October 17 were that the weather was sunny, and the bus was stopped.
“I was picking up passengers at my regular stop,” the Tri-Met driver told us, “heard smashing and crashing, and felt a bump when a car ran into the bus.”
Police on scene declined giving us information; drivers of the other vehicles refused to speak with us.
Witnesses to the bizarre pileup gave conflicting reports, saying that either the red BMW or the white Chevy had bounced the green Kia into the rear wheel of the bus. No one could explain how a black Lexus SUV was also damaged in the multi-car collision.
Although many people said they witnessed this accident, no one could say exactly who caused it, or why it happened.
The accident tied up the northbound lane of SE 122nd Ave. for hours while an officer from the Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division sorted out the facts and took measurements, and East Precinct officers filled out paperwork.
One person, a man said have been in the red BMW, was transported to a hospital with minor injuries.
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
