East PDX News

Business association provides treats to summer readers at Midland Library, and deals with business issues

What does the Midway Business Association have to do with “Reptile-Man”, ice cream treats, and a lawyer? Take a look at this 3-in-1 story (with great photos) and find out …

At the Midland Library, the Oregon Reptile Man – Richard Ritchey – shows his alligator, which he says can tell if kids have been good – or bad. This young man one was deemed by the ‘gator to be “good”.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The small-but-growing Midway Business Association, a group of business people in southern outer East Portland, does more than just promote their own enterprises – they also promote goodwill in the community.

For example, to support the summer reading program at Midland Library, they hosted an ice cream social, following an appearance by Oregon’s Reptile Man at the library.

You’ll learn more about the Midway Business Association later in this story. But first, Oregon’s Reptile Man …

Richard Ritchey’s Puff Adder takes a strike at him during the show.

Ritchey’s reptiles captivate kids
The reptiles Richard Ritchey brings to Midland Library are more than toads and tadpoles. They include rattlesnakes, a King Cobra, and a pet alligator that “pets” good little boys.

More than just showing off his pets, Ritchey tells the captivated kids about the reptiles, where they live, and how they behave in the wild.

“This snake gives birth to live babies – each is capable of killing prey on its first day in the world,” says Ritchey. “He’s very calm today.”

The snake coils and lunges for Ritchey. “That was a false strike. He had no intention of striking me – he just wanted to scare me. He did; he’s going back in his condo.”

We could clearly hear the rattle of his Western Diamondback before we could see the snake.

“Hear the rattle?” Ritchey asks before he carefully brings his Western Diamondback rattlesnake out of its box. “It senses heat. Over 1,000 people are bitten by rattlesnakes each year. Only two out of ten were ‘accidental’ bites; the other eight people bitten were trying to kill or capture the snake. If you see a snake, don’t run. Just turn around and walk away.”

Ritchey invites his young audience members to come pet his python. Surprisingly, many take him up on his offer.

Midway Business Association sponsors ice Cream Social

Talay and Lavonne Larson are two of a hundred kids (and adults) served ice cream by Midway Business Association’s Donna Dionne and other association members.

After Reptile Man’s program, Midway Business Association’s President, Donna Dionne, and treasurer, Tammy Williams, handed out ice cream cups in Midland Library’s lobby.

“More than operating businesses in the community,” says Dionne, “we want to actively help support our area. That’s why we volunteer to help with the library’s summer program and other area events.”

Free legal advice dispensed at Midway Business Association

Lawyer Scott Nielson helps business people get a better understanding of laws passed in Salem, and how it affects their businesses.

But, when not handing out ice cream at the library, the Midway Business Association gives a “voice” to people running businesses in the southern portion of outer East Portland.

What do they do at their monthly meetings?

For example, at the last meeting before summer vacation, members got their usual update of happenings at regional meetings and events. And, they heard from a guest speaker who spoke about how legislation and litigation affect business people in the area.

The guest speaker, Scott Nielson J.D., Attorney at Law, started by commending the organization for how effectively they’ve communicated their needs to city and county representatives.

Turning to the past state legislative session, Nielson covered the expansion of the Oregon Bottle Bill; and how legislators hotly debated the meaning of “bottled water”.

He told how those who purchase scrap metals must now start keeping accurate records of those from whom they buy; he went on to explain the implications of price increase limitations put on businesses, if a natural disaster causes an “abnormal disruption of the market” as certified by the Governor; and he related the new penalties in store for business owners who – even inadvertently, because of a computer security breach – disclose customer information.

Turning to personnel matters, Nielson covered new regulations that allow mothers to breastfeed on the job. He went on to tell how “family leave” now even extends to the care of grandparents, parents, and grandchildren – not simply direct family members. He also pointed out new regulations that require accommodation of workers’ religious garb and celebrations.

Nielson also answered questions on issues ranging from elder law to contracts.

Accounting to be demystified at next meeting
On Tuesday, September 11, come and meet with the members of the Midway Business Association.

Kevin Minkoff, CPA, will share the latest IRS rules, and give practical tips on how to tune up your bookkeeping procedures. Kevin – “not your ordinary bean-counter” – always gives an upbeat, lively, and informative presentation.

Visitors ARE welcome, and the presentation is free (but you must pay for your own lunch). Their meeting runs from 11:45 AM until 1 PM at Bill Dayton’s PIZZA BARON Restaurant on SE 122nd Ave., just south of Division St. For more information, go to www.midwayba.com.

Leach Garden’s ‘Friends’ celebrate a quarter century of service

Here’s your invitation to look in on the party thrown by, and for, volunteers who have worked for 25 years to make this unique outer East Portland park into a natural wonderland …

Leach Garden volunteer Ernie Francisco, tells executive director Karen Young how she recruited Bette Howard to help with the garden 25 years ago.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Leach Botanical Garden is the site of many events during the year. It’s often rented out for receptions, meetings and private parties.

But on August 25, the merriment was due to volunteers celebrating two and a half decades of service at this unique Portland park.

“Tonight, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the formation of Leach Garden Friends,” says Karen Young, executive director, as she welcomes us to the party, now in full sway. “This is the group that got together and saved this garden.”

The property, located just south of SE Foster Road, on SE 122nd Avenue, was willed to the City of Portland by Mr. and Mrs Leach. “They had no heirs,” explains Young. “They wanted it to be used as a botanical garden and museum. If the city would not use it, it would go to the YMCA.”

Enjoying the evening during the 25th Anniversary “Leach Garden Friends” party are outer East Portland parks advocate Linda Robinson with Sharon and Andy Szolnoki.

“The garden wasn’t tended, and the property languished for several years,” continues Young. “A group got together and worked to save it; forming the Friends group in the process. They urged the city to support the Garden. The Parks Director at the time, Charles Jordan, listened to them. They put the organization together, and got it open to the public 25 years ago.”

Since then, although it is owned by Portland Parks & Recreation, Leach Friends have continued to operate the property.

Guitarist Margaret Slovak shares her musical gift by providing an acoustical soundtrack for the evening’s festivities.

A well-attended gathering
The patio swirls with activity and pleasant conversation, accompanied by acoustical music by guitarist Margaret Slovak.

Graphic displays of Leach history and past and present volunteers line the walls of the main room. Guests graze on refreshments amidst good company, in a beautiful setting.

Garden volunteer Nick Gianopoulos serves fellow volunteer Gabriel Weiss, a mason who helped build the brick patio, a glass of wine.

One of the celebrants we meet is long-time Lents resident Ernie Francisco. “Charlene Holsworth, who has since passed away, visited every neighbor in the area and recruited me,” she tells us. “I recruited my friend here, Bette Howard. We still love working at the Garden.”

Looking ahead
“We’re working on a master plan for the Garden,” Young says. “We hope to take this to the Portland City Council by November. The plan will involve how the property will be interpreted – as a museum. Also the upper property – we have about ten additional acres to be developed. We are working on making decisions about how we will develop that.”

Volunteer George Taylor looks at the historical display posted in the Leach house.

Some the concepts under consideration include developing an education center and children’s garden, and more demonstration sites. Also, they are studying moving the entrance east to a spot near SE 122nd and Foster Road, to make it more accessible.

You can join the 300+ active volunteers at Leach Garden and help continue the legacy of this fine natural outer East Portland attraction. Contact the office by calling (503) 823-9503 or e-mailing info@leachgarden.org.

Woodstock hosts neighborhood picnic for 1,500

Some neighborhoods go all out for National Night Out. But the big event for this neighborhood is super-sized family picnic in the park. Take a look …

Volunteer Julie Neburka, here cutting the watermelon given out by the Woodstock Neighborhood Association.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Throughout Saturday, August 18, families from miles around filtered into Woodstock Park and joined the relaxed throng at the third annual Woodstock Neighborhood Picnic.

It wasn’t easy tracking down Ruthann Bedenkop, the event’s organizer. She was busy coordinating dozens of volunteers to make sure the picnic ran smoothly.

This duo from the Deviant Dance group performed with grace.

“This is the third year since we revived the picnic,” Bedenkop told us. “This year we received a small neighborhood grant to support it. We were able to reach out to underrepresented groups this year. And, we were able to get special acts in this year.”

The midway emptied into the performance area when “Captain Bogg and Salty’s Band” was on stage performing their show. We saw a lot of kids – and even some adults – singing along during several of their numbers. “They’re playing here courtesy of the Woodstock Library,” said Bedenkop. “We’re thankful for the library’s participation.”

In all, organizers estimate more than 1,500 people came to the picnic.

“Not only is this a fun, family event,” Bedenkop commented, “it’s a great way for organizations come together and share information about the services they offer. It builds community.”

Our 2007 Woodstock Neighborhood Picnic photo album

More than 1,500 people visited the midway, lined with booths for community services, businesses and non-profit organizations.

Elisha Hampton scampers up the Portland Parks & Recreation climbing wall.

Enjoying a slice of Roma’s Pizza is Brookelynne Ormsbee.

The Woodstock Community Center’s Tae Kwon Do class, lead by sixth-degree master Mr. Gary Wright, demonstrates their martial arts skills.

Writing your reporter’s first name (David) in Russian is Yaroslavna Kosmina; she’s representing the IRCO International Language Bank.

All day long, folks lined up for Otto’s Sausages, here being cooked up by David Braman.

Captain Bogg meets enchanted kids after their show.

This year’s Woodstock Picnic was sponsored by Safeway, BiMart, The UPS Store, John L. Scott Realtors, Southeast Uplift, City Sanitary and THE BEE.

Family and friends of man killed in Gresham cop car crash continue to wonder if they’ll find justice

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Seven escape fiery two-house inferno, but 3-Alarm blaze leaves them all homeless

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

911 call indicates troubled man set his own home ablaz

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We asked how the fire started.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Car catapults up onto MAX tracks; shuts train service down

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parkrose officer’s foot patrol beats down crime in Parkrose

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

After school fist fight turns into gun scare at Cleveland High

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

East Precinct police officers, plus civilians honored at awards ceremony

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

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

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

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

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

Some of the outer East Portland honorees included:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bus bomb scare shuts down 82nd Ave. of Roses for hours

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scofflaw driver nabbed in outer East Portland, after citywide chase

Finally, this unlicensed driver is behind bars – but not for driving without a license. Find out why she’s in jail now … and see our exclusive photos …

The never-licensed driver of this car wasn’t about to stop – until cops flattened her car’s tires.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
After an alleged shoplifting spree at a Beaverton Marshalls store, about 6:20 p.m. on August 20, the driver of the red import sedan takes off from the parking lot, trying to ditch the local police.

She’s seen weaving through traffic on Highway 217 before Beaverton officers lose sight of the car, and put out a regional broadcast to Portland- area jurisdictions. A sharp-eyed Portland Police Bureau Central Precinct cop spots the car coming through Portland on I-5.

The officer follows it north on I-5, then east on I-84, then south from the NE 68th Avenue exit – as the driver cuts through Roseway, Madison South and Montavilla neighborhoods.

Pursuit allowed to continue
“Because the car remained on lightly-traveled surface streets in outer East Portland, and was not traveling at excessive speeds, supervisors allowed the pursuit to continue,” says Portland Police Bureau spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz.

Although the cops flatten three of the car’s four tires using a spike strip at SE Washington Street and SE 92nd Avenue, the driver doesn’t stop. Only when a patrol car bumps the wobbling car into a curb at SE 92nd Avenue and Clay Street, using the “Pursuit Intervention Technique”, does the car finally grind to a halt.

Officers sort out clothing and other articles they suspect were stolen from the Marshalls store in Beaverton.

Find stolen booty … and a baby
Two females are taken into custody. But, as officers begin to search the car, they find more than just the allegedly-stolen merchandise.

Officers are surprised to find a three-year-old baby loosely seat-belted in the back seat of the car – not in a child’s car seat. At the scene, we hear a sergeant remark that officers couldn’t see the child in the back seat during the chase.

Cops check on the 3-year-old, who was in the back seat of the fleeing car. There were no injuries in this incident.

The driver of the car is identified as 24-year-old Kendrareen Hudson. She tells cops she lives in Beaverton; records indicate Hudson is a Salem resident.

Driver never licensed, but often ticketed
Authorities say Hudson hasn’t ever had a driver’s license. But that hasn’t stopped her from driving. She’s been cited 43 times for driving without a license – many times in Portland.

Further, on 17 occasions, Hudson failed to appear in court for these tickets.

Multnomah County Detention Center indicated that Hudson was in custody on several occasions, charged with crimes including theft and assault.

Cops say the statutes prevent putting
chronically-unlicensed drivers, such as
Kendrareen Hudson, behind bars.

Finally, off the roads
Although Hudson has walked away from many of her crimes without any jail time, she’s currently being held in the Washington County Jail because one of her charges, “Attempting to Elude a Police Officer”, is a felony.

“She was also charged with one count of Reckless Driving, and multiple counts of Reckless Endangerment,” reported Schmautz.

The 16-year-old passenger was turned over to Beaverton Police; the 3-year-old was taken into state custody.