After the mentors and role models finished keeping kids busy during the summer, the PAL staff is working to get ready for the fall season, starting Sept. 11 …
PAL Center Director Beth Faulhaber spends time with Angel Swearingen, during the ‘Role Model Day’ on August 11. “I really appreciate Beth,” Swearingen tells us, “She is a good role model. She makes it great for kids here at PAL.”
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Many people agree with that old saw, “idle hands are the devil’s workshop”. To avoid that situation among youth, volunteers and staff members at the Police Activities League (PAL) work year-around to keep youngster’s hands ‚Äì and minds ‚Äì busy.
Our visit to the PAL center came during “Role Model Day”, an event created by PAL youth and volunteers in 1994 to celebrate everyday role models in the community. “It has become an annual event for us, culminating more than 500 annual hours of summer youth activities,” program director Michael Jezewski, told us.
PAL program director Michael Jezewski plays Kiddy Pool Ring Toss during their special event.
This special annual event provides a carnival of fun: face painting, potato sack races, water balloon toss, crab walk relay, tug of war, a scavenger hunt, kiddy pool ring toss, a pie eating contest, 3 legged races and much more.
Role of PAL in the community
“PAL gives kids the opportunity to see police in a different light,” Jezewski continued. “Sometimes, these kids’ involvement with police officers isn’t the best. We give youth the chance to see police officers as normal people and develop mutual respect.”
He added that most PAL activities center around recreation and sports. “These bring the kids in. Then, we help them learn life skills, including reading and math. We even have a kids cooking class where they learn to make real nutritious meals.”
Jezewski introduced us to Beth Faulhaber, the center’s director. “Few of the kids we serve have great role models as adults. So, it is really important that we’re here for them,” she told us. “Working together in programs like this, we see that we make a difference in the lives of youth.”
Portland Police Bureau Officer Ron Mason, Family Services Division, cooks up a barbecue banquet of brisket, pork loin, barbecue beans, and potato salad ‚Äì using his own hand-built cooking rig. “I wanted our kids and visitors to have more than hot dogs, so I came here ready to cook.” In addition, Mason participates in PAL’s summer baseball camp.
“It looks like we’re hosting 125 kids today,” Jezewski informed us. “We average 120 a day during the summer; during the school year, we get about 140 young people visiting us each day.”
Fall session begins September 11
PAL Youth Center, located at 424 N.E. 172nd Ave. begins it’s fall hours on September 11; running from 2:30 ‚Äì 7 p.m., Monday -Friday.
Youth membership fees are $50 for the year or $25 for families which qualify for school reduced lunch. For more information, contact PAL at (503) 823-0250, or the Youth Center at (503) 256-3479.
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
Wonder why the good folks at Portland Fire & Rescue advise using caution when burning decorative candles? Take a look …
Fire department officials say all it took was the careless use of a candle to set off a blaze that destroyed the second story of this outer East Portland home. The resident was helped down the ladder that stands against the roof of the front porch.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Minutes before noon, firefighters get a call saying a house is on fire at SE 88th and Duke Street. Three stations respond, and indeed find smoke and flames pouring out of the home.
On scene, Battalion Chief Jay Olson tells us, “A resident was on the roof, over the porch, when we arrived. There was heavy smoke showing out of the attic area. Crews helped the resident down off the roof with a ladder.”
Firefighters say a man crawled out of this small attic window to escape the smoke and flames sparked by a fire ignited by a candle. Fire crews haul out smoldering material to make sure the fire is completely out.
“Then, the firefighters attacked the fire,” Olson continues. “We sent a crew into the interior of the home, up the stairway, and they took care of the rest of the fire. Yet another crew opened the roof to ventilate the residence, and check for extensions into the roof.”
Could this blaze been avoided?
“We’re told that the fire was started by a decorative candle, and quickly got out of hand,” Olson commented. “This is why we urge people to be careful with candles!”
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
Police say this guy is yet another good example of how
drinking and driving don’t mix ‚Ķ
One wonders how fast this truck must have been going, to do this kind of damage.
It looked like the driver bulldozed through boulders to get his truck firmly wedged into the front of this apartment house in southeast Portland. You can see one boulder behind the passenger-side rear tire.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
On a relatively quiet afternoon in southeast Portland, it looked like a fellow tried going into the front door of an apartment, perhaps to lounge in the living room or get a snack in kitchen.
The only problem was – he was still driving his large pickup truck!
Police say they got a call just after 3:00 p.m. about a truck that ran into an apartment building on SE 68th Ave., just south of Foster Road, on August 22.
Police say this man shouldn’t have been behind the wheel of any vehicle — in his condition.
“We’ve arrested 41-year-old Michael Herrin for DWII and Reckless Driving,” an officer on scene tells us. “Driving while intoxicated causes so many problems,” he adds, “I wish people would stop and think before they drink and drive.”
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
In addition to growing 215 marijuana plants, officials say someone was stealing electricity to run the grow operation …
As firefighters clean up after putting out the blaze, police investigators move in to investigate this home they call a “pot factory”.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The ranch-styled home, located in the southern Centennial Neighborhood at 3432 Southeast 156th Ave., looked like a typical, middle-class dwelling.
“No I didn’t suspect anything,” said across-the-street neighbor Ron Taylor. “Normally you’d like having quiet neighbors. It didn’t seem lived-in. We thought it might be an ‘investment’ home.”
Neighbor Ron Taylor said he didn’t suspect anything going on in the burned home, seen behind him.
Taylor said people would come and go once or twice a week. They’d take care of the front yard, come in and out the front door.
“Other than that, nothing seemed unusual,” Taylor told us, “until last night. My wife and I smelled some smoke. We attributed it to the Mt. Hood fires. It smelled like ‘old’ smoke.”
Pot farm afire
Fire officials suspect what Taylor and his neighbors smelled was overheating wiring or transformers in the structure. “But, we can’t be sure until the fire investigators have completed their work,” Lt. Allen Oswalt told us on-scene.
“When we got here, it was all fire and smoke,” Oswalt recounted. “We attacked the fire by going inside. In the dark and smoke, firefighters saw the pot growing operation, and became suspicious of booby traps. They pulled out.”
While the he Portland Police Explosive Unit was in route, firefighters continued to knock down the fire from the outside. No booby traps were located.
Lt. Allen Oswalt looks at some of the extensive damage at the rear of the home.
“It took only 10 minutes to actually put out the fire,” Oswalt continued. “The fire had a significant pre-burn time. There is deep charring through support beams in the attic. There isn’t much wood left in several of the support beams; the roof is sagging.”
Two rear bedrooms and the garage were dedicated to the marijuana-growing operation, according to Oswalt. “The way the bedrooms were set up ‚Äì there are no beds ‚Äì it makes it unlikely people were living here. There was some living room furniture and a TV.”
An fire investigator makes his way into the garage, filled with what police say are pot plants, lights, and a tangle of electrical cords.
Stealing juice
Firefighters noted the “creative electrical wiring ‚Äì large power cords that snaked through the home from the garage. When a crew from Portland General Electric was called in to shut off the power, they noticed thick electrical cables going out a side door, and into the ground.
Here’s some of the “creative wiring” uncovered by PGE workers. Someone tapped the home’s main power supply before it got to the meter.
“Theft of service is a crime,” Portland Police’s Sgt. Brian Schmutz told us. “Depending on the dollar value of the power taken, it could be prosecuted as a Class B Felony.”
Here are some of the more than 200 pot plants which fire and police officials found growing in this suburban home.
The final plant count for marijuana growing operation was 215 plants, according to police officials. Investigators have no suspects in custody, and are not releasing suspect information.
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
Known world-wide as Portland’s place for tranquility and meditation, see why The Grotto was cleared by police and remained closed for a day ‚Ķ
As many as 30 Portland Police Bureau officers cordoned off a large area around The Grotto, searching for a man said to be carrying a weapon.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
One vehicle after another was turned away from The Grotto on August 18.
“Why are they closed?” asked the driver of a passenger-filled mini-van with Idaho license plates.
“There is a police action in the area, sir,” responded East Precinct’s Officer Shadron, his patrol car parked blocking NE Skidmore St. at Sandy Blvd.
Disturbed man disrupts gift shop
The afternoon-long police action started in a nearby home and moved to The Grotto’s gift shop.
“I had just started celebrating Mass when this took place,” said Father Jack Topper, the executive director of the facility. “A woman came into our gift shop, our employees told me. They said a man followed her in and was shouting at her. It was more of a verbal abuse thing. Our employee called the police and he took off.”
Father Jack Topper, executive director of The Grotto, tells news reporters that the only previous time the grounds have been shut down was during severe weather.
Topper said he didn’t know whether or not the man was brandishing a weapon. “I did see the woman in our parking lot. She was upset, and said she was sad that this situation was causing a problem.”
Dragnet for suspect begins
As officers fan out around The Grotto searching for suspect Robert Wimbish, Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Commander Michael Crebs talks with his officers as they plan their next step.
“It started as a domestic violence call off NE Skidmore,” was the word from Sgt. Brian Schmautz, spokesman for Portland Police Bureau. “The victim knew a suspect who showed up today, identified as 35-year-old Robert Wimbish. From what we’ve learned, he’s acting angry delusional, and perhaps has some mental health issues. We understand he hasn’t slept in days, and he’s been using controlled substances for quite some time.”
Police say this man, Robert Wimbish, threatened a woman in The Grotto’s gift shop. Their concern: he may have had a weapon with him.
Schmautz said, the while they hadn’t seen a weapon, the victim told police that Wimbish did have a weapon with him. “We’re trying to isolate where he is, and if he is a danger to himself or anyone.”
After several hours, the Portland Police SERT team was brought in to search a house in which officers suspected Wimbish was hiding.
Watchfully waiting
“I’ve seen several younger men coming and going,” is what across-the-street neighbor Jay Cowan told us. “This person looked like an older man than the others. There haven’t been any problems at the house that I’ve seen.”
When asked why the police hadn’t stormed the home where they thought Wimbish might be hiding out, Schmautz said, “It is her house. We don’t know if he is in there. Right now, we don’t know whether going in will help or hurt the situation.”
Taking no chances, SERT officers hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.
Officers from the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) assembled as their armored vehicle arrived. They approached the house, and then made entry.
Minutes later, Schmutze told us, “SERT has cleared the victim’s home and confirmed that the suspect has left the immediate area. Officers did seize one long-barreled firearm.” He added that Wimbish is currently wanted on a Multnomah County warrant, and faces additional charges because of this incident.
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
A “hot time” at the Passionate Dreams Private Shows wasn’t from entertainment activities taking place inside ‚Äì but instead, from a fire, still under investigation ‚Ķ
The fire call describing a house on fire brought fire trucks and engines from both Portland and Clackamas, shutting down SE 82nd Avenue for hours.
Story and Photos by David F. Ashton
Firefighters from Portland Fire & Rescue sprang into action – as did those from Clackamas County – when they got a call reporting a fire at SE 82nd Ave. of Roses at Claybourne St.
The first unit arrived reported on the emergency radio, “Heavy smoke seen coming from the second story window.”
Traffic was shut down on 82nd Avenue as emergency vehicles continued to roll into the area. We arrived on-scene moments after the call, about 2:45 p.m. on August 13. Firefighters had already made their way into the building and put out the fire. But smoke was still pouring out of the brightly painted home-turned-adult-business.
This woman claims she jumped from the second story window of Passionate Dreams Private Shows to escape the blaze. Witnesses questioned her story.
A woman, who refused to speak with us, told firefighters she escaped the inferno by leaping out of the second-story building. The paramedics urged the fire escapee to seek medical care. She sat in the ambulance for a few minutes, then exited, cloaked in a white, terrycloth towel.
“I saw her running around the building,” is what nearby resident Jose Garcia-Lopez told us. “If she jumped, I don’t think she jumped from very high.”
From behind, one can see the damage to Passionate Dreams Private Shows caused by the fire.
On scene, officials told us the fire broke out on the second floor, and extended into the attic. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
© 2006 David F. Ashton
Although he had made statements that he wouldn’t surrender, the parole violator realized his picnic was over and gave up, after he saw he was surrounded by heavily-armed police ‚Ķ
The police had the media cordoned off a half-mile from the scene; at least, you can see the where the action was taking place … kinda …
Story and photo by David F. Ashton
A quiet, pleasant Saturday afternoon in Powellhurst-Gilbert was disrupted, as more and more police officers started filtering into the area of SE 138th Avenue south of SE Powell Boulevard on July 12.
It wasn’t long until members of the heavily armored SERT (Special Emergency Response Team) officers were also making their way to SE Rhone St. The total number of officers responding to the incident to topped out at 50.
Firefighters were asked respond to the area, but to turn off their sirens before they got close. Officials were planning a surprise for the guest at a backyard family barbecue.
The word, from police spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz, was that it all started because parole officers were on the trail of an alleged parole violator, 52-year-old Mario Martinez. They’d tracked him to the southeast Portland neighborhood.
Why the large-scale response? Reportedly, Martinez told California officials he wouldn’t surrender.
First, parole officers located Martinez’s car. Schmautz said it was discoverer parked outside a residence. From the home next door, parole officers got a peek, and saw him in the backyard, partying at a family picnic. “At that point, the parole officers called us,” Schmautz added.
When it became clear he was surrounded by police, Martinez gave up without incident, and was taken into custody.
We haven’t been able to learn whether or not Martinez’ relatives knew he was a parole fugitive. The reason he was wanted for alleged parole violation remains unclear.
What is clear is that police will extradite Martinez to California, according to Schmautz.
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
See what happens when the local “cop shop” ‚Äì Portland Police East Precinct ‚Äì practices community policing, in the truest sense of the term ‚Ķ
Officer Seth McLaughlin, Portland Police Explosive Unit, introduces their Andros F6a Robot to Avey and Delaney Mills and Kristi Gradwahl at the East Precinct Community Fair.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Under normal circumstances, most people dislike going to the police station ‚Äì especially if they’ve just been caught in a crime and are on their way to jail. Or, they’ve been the victim of a crime, and are going for police help.
But this July 22 event was different. On this Saturday, Portland Police Bureau East Precinct was the site of a community fair, complete with food and fun.
Grilling up sizzling burgers, dogs, and chicken are East Portland Police Cadets Ryan and Craig Budey.
Some of the hundreds of citizens who came by ate lunch, while they got to know the cops who serve them every day.
Citizens took a tour of the precinct facility, learned about the continuing training programs officers receive, and got to chance to see the “inner sanctum” of the police station.
Additionally, neighbors were able to see some of tools used by police — from SERT trucks and gear, to the ANDROS: The bomb-grabbing robot.
Portland Police Bureau Cadets James Trendell, Andrea Ettlin and Kenny Bossen take a look at SERT hardware, under the watchful eye of Officer Scott Reasor.
Offering the lighter side of community police demonstrations, Portland Police Cadets Melissa Sanchez and Leanna Heasley show neighbor Vanita Pearson “The Yo” of community policing.
“The whole idea of having an open house,” explained East Precinct Commander Mike Crebs, “is so that people can come out and see the precinct, the officers, and the equipment that we use to help keep the community safe, every day. When they see us on the street, they’ll have a better understanding of what we do.”
The commander’s family joined him at the open house: They are Lesley Michael, Lauren, and Nick Crebs.
We ask if this fair is a good example of community policing. Crebs responded, “Here, we have the chance to develop a relationship with citizens. One of the things Police Chief Sizer promotes is building trust, developing relationships, as well as the feeling of being able to comfortably communicate with their police force. We’ve opened up the precinct so people can come in and see, for themselves, what we do here. This goes a long way to reduce misunderstanding and mistrust.”
If you missed it this year, do come by for the next precinct fair. You’ll learn a lot and have a good time!
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
While the gunman’s motives were unclear, taking aim at a Portland Police Bureau officer and cadet led to returned fire. But, it appears, the shooter actually died at his own hands ‚Ķ
Detectives say they learned that issues with his girlfriend led 37-year-old Jerry Goins to approach the Armed Forces Recruiting Station at Eastport Plaza with a loaded gun.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The tranquility of a hot, summer afternoon was broken at 4:17 p.m. on July 19 when shots rang out in front of the Military Recruiting Facility, located in the 4000 block of SE 82nd Ave.
“When I came out of the Eastport Post Office, I heard someone shouting, ‘Drop it! Put it down’. Then, there were several shots,” eyewitness Bill Stapleton told us. “I was quite a distance away, but I could see the smoke from gunshots and what looked like a guy going down. Cops were shouting to people in the area, ‘get down, get down’.”
The man who died on the sidewalk was 37-year-old Jerry Goins. Police detectives said Goins was in the Navy, stationed in California. They added that Goins had traveled to Portland because he was emotional over his relationship with his girlfriend. At the time of his death, Goins was carrying a loaded pistol and binoculars.
9-1-1 call summons officer
On this sunny afternoon, a 19-year-old Portland Police Cadet was learning about police work, riding along in a patrol car driven by Portland Police Officer Richard Steinbronn.
A moment before 4:00 pm, the officer and cadet were dispatched to the recruiting facility. Someone called 9-1-1 and reported that an armed, suicidal man was coming to see his girlfriend.
Once inside the recruiter’s office, Officer Steinbronn didn’t find the man ‚Äì but he did talk with an individual, reported to be Goins, calling from a cell phone.
The officer and cadet got in their car, preparing to go on their next call. Then they spotted a man who matched Goins’ description walking up to the recruiting facility. And, he was carrying a gun.
Police officers protect the crime scene while investigators work to uncover the exact sequence of events that lead to 37-year-old Jerry Goins’ coming to Eastport Plaza with a loaded gun on July 19.Autopsy confirms suicide
Witnesses told investigators the officer exited his car and repeatedly ordered Goins to drop the handgun. Ignoring the officer’s orders, Goins turned and raised the weapon toward the officer and cadet. Officer Steinbronn then shot Goins four times, striking him in the mid-section.
After an autopsy, Multnomah County Deputy State Medical Examiner Dr. Clifford Nelson confirmed that none of the wounds from the officer’s gun were immediately fatal. Instead, Nelson said, Goins took his own life with a gunshot wound to his head. Detectives said evidence indicated, and witnesses also attested, that the fatal shot was self-inflicted.
Portland Police Bureau Chief of Police Rosie Sizer confers with a city attorney.
Eastport Plaza manager Ken Turner said he was called back to the shopping center by his security personnel. “We express our condolences and sympathy to relatives, friends and loved ones of Mr. Jerry Goins. And, we appreciate Chief Rosie Sizer and the officers of the police force for how they handled this tragic situation. The officers assured that the public was safe and out of harms way.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Barry Renna at (503) 823-0255 or Detective Mike Geiger at (503) 823-0768.
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
Looking at these photos, it’s hard to believe anyone survived this crash. But click “more” and learn how this family survived a horrendous crash ‚Ķ
Cops and rescuers agreed – without restraints the occupants of this smashed van would be dead, or seriously injured.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
In the middle of the afternoon of June 24, a family was driving down SE Foster Road, heading out to do some Saturday afternoon shopping.
As they neared SE 86th Avenue, a hot-shot driver passed against a double yellow line, forcing the van to swerve. It collided with a wooden utility pole with such force, it knocked a transformer loose.
But, at the scene of this horrific wreck, Portland Fire & Rescue workers were standing around, with smiles on their faces. “I know it’s hard to believe, David, but none of the adults, nor children, were injured. They walked away,” a firefighter told us.
Their van was a total loss — the entire front end wiped out. But, they all walked away. As a cop said, “Seat belts do save lives.”
An East Precinct Portland Police officer told us all of the occupants had been wearing safety belts, and the kids were correctly buckled into their car seats. “We say it over and over ‚Äì because it is the truth ‚Äì ‘Seat Belts Save Lives’.”
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
This couple had it all planned out: Steal merchandise from the store, run outside and make a clean get-away car. Read why this suspect is now facing some REAL jail time …
The store closed early as police investigate what they called a shoplifting gone bad.
Police gather evidence at the Mall 205 Target store. Police say after he allegedly robbed the store, he stabbed a Target employee while trying to make his getaway. He didn’t get far.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Workers said the warm, Friday night of June 30 was pretty much like any other.
Then, it happened. Target’s Loss Prevention employees contacted 31-year-old Rogelio Perez and 25-year-old Elizabeth Dora Tate as they were leaving the store with what was said to be stolen property.
Perez began to struggle with 26-year-old Trevor Collin and other Target employees. Tate fled the store and hopped into a get-away car in the parking lot. In the midst of what was described as a violent struggle, Collin received a non-life-threatening stab wound to the neck area.
Perez eventually broke free, sprinted to the get-away car and the alleged partners-in-crime sped away.
But, with a description of the car in hand, sharp-eyed East Precinct officers spotted the car within minutes. Officers followed the suspects as they drove into an apartment complex parking lot in the 2300 block of Southeast 111th Avenue.
Portland Police Cadets and officers look for evidence outside the Target store.
Once in the apartment building lot, Perez fled on foot and Tate surrendered. During the subsequent foot pursuit Sergeant Mike Krantz, a 34-year-old 12-year member of the Portland Police Bureau, broke his leg as jumped over a fence.
Rogelio Perez was charged with Robbery in the First Degree and Assault in the Second Degree, and Elizabeth Dora Tate who was charged with Robbery in the First Degree.
Both Collin and Sergeant Krantz are recovering from their injuries.
We couldn’t resist taking this photo ‚Ķ
While other stations were preparing to go on the air with their mobile newsrooms, we snapped this photo of Gary, a veteran news videographer for KOIN-6, discovering his signal was blocked by Mt. Tabor. The other stations’ trucks have very tall, extendable “stinger” masts, high enough to clear obstructions.
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
The piles of cargo – crushed cars and trucks –
made the crash scene look even more surreal and rescuers try in vain to find victims …
From above, below and beside the wreck, Portland Fire & Rescue and Portland Police work swiftly, but carefully, to locate the driver, and any other possible victims.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Members of Portland Fire & Rescue Stations 12 and 2 work diligently ‚Äì and carefully ‚Äì to locate the driver of a semi-truck under the hot afternoon sun. It isn’t easy.
The cab of the truck is smashed between the bridge and its load of crushed vehicles, which shifted forward. The scene testifies to the violent nature of this July 7 crash on Marine Dr. at I-205. A fire bureau spokesperson said they wouldn’t give up until they found either survivors or deceased.
It took massive tow trucks to pull the wreckage back from the bridge to look for survivors – or victims.
Why this horrendous wreck occurred is just not clear…but what happened, is.
Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division’s Lt. Mark Kruger informs us eyewitnesses reported that a truck and trailer stacked with crushed cars was westbound on Marine Drive just before noon on Friday the 7th.
For reasons unknown, the westbound truck veered across the highway at NE 112th Ave., crossing into the eastbound lane and jumping the curb. “We don’t see any skid marks,” Kruger tells us, looking at the pavement. “The driver could have fallen asleep, or had a medical problem ‚Äì we just don’t know.”
The truck and trailer jump the curb at NE 112th Avenue, mow down a wooden utility pole, snapping it off cleanly at the base. The rig continues at break-neck speed up the embankment toward the I-205 onramp bridge from westbound Airport Way.
You can see the front wheels of the truck tractor under the bridge. Authorities say the impact of the crash flattened the cab from the front–then the load shifted forward, crushing the cab from behind.
A traffic officer, walking back from a close-up look, told us, “It’s hard to tell what kind of truck it was. The front wheels went just under the bridge, but the cab didn’t. The load of crushed cars came forward and destroyed the cab.”
Power utility, water and communications workers examine the damaged lines and pipes severed in the collision.
ODOT workers told us they didn’t see any major structural damage to the viaduct, but pipes and conduit just under the lip of the bridge were severed or damaged.
Marine Drive remained closed into the evening hours as the body of the driver was removed from scene, the wreckage was cleared, and repairs to the pipes and conduit made.
The deceased driver was subsequently reported as a 49-year-old man from Caldwell, Idaho.
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News
