How can learning to be safer – be fun, entertaining, and toothsome? Take a look at what happened at the ‘Safe Blocks Community Safety Resource Fair’ …
At this Community Safety Resource Fair, King Tran of the Portland Office of Violence Prevention offers a free lunch ticket to a guest.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
In addition to playing in the gym and swimming in the East Portland Community Center Aquatic Center, many people came there to a special event on Saturday afternoon, February 28 – the Safe Blocks Community Safety Resource Fair.
Visitors learned about multiple government and community-based programs, and about organizations available to them which provide information on community safety services and resources.
Welcoming guests is Rocio Garcia of the Portland Office of Violence Prevention Safe Blocks program, and the program’s coordinator Sarah Berkemeier.
“We’re looking at community safety in a more holistic way,” confirmed City of Portland Office of Violence Prevention Safe Blocks Coordinator Sarah Berkemeier at the welcoming table.
Telling about their program, Dream Big City, are Meshaud Johnson, Cham Murrell – and, giving the ‘thumbs-up’, is Sun.
Representing the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood Association, it’s Board Member Jesse Dictor.
We saw Sadie Carpenter from New Day program at New Avenues for Youth telling young people about the program.
“To do this, we’ve assembled lots of resources on topics ranging from prevention, to harm reduction, to intervention opportunities for people when there are safety issues going on,” Berkemeier explained.
“And we have three workshops taking place – provided by experts from Portland Street Response, Careers Northwest, and the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management’s Emergency Preparedness Program.” she continued.
Free lunch? You bet! It’s being catered by Joshly, Johnny, and Maria of Ta Bueno Ne.
Here’s the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s Vision Zero Community Engagement associate Lale Santelices, engaging with youngsters.
In total, guests visited with organization and Bureau representatives at 15 tables, all providing resources to people visiting the Safety Faire.
“Our agency, Safe Blocks, performs a lot of community building and community engagement,” Berkemeier informed. “We saw a need outer East Portland to have these community safety resources brought out into the public more regularly – and that’s why we’re here today.”
Throughout the afternoon, visitors find much to see and do at this Community Safety Fair.
Discover more about Safe Blocks at their official City of Portland webpage: CLICK HERE.
© 2026 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
