Public safety

Gang graffiti at Nadaka Nature Park 175th & NE Pacific, Gresham OR

Quick Resources Gang Hotlines Graffiti Resources Graffiti Removal Report Graffiti Online

Neighbors express frustration with the escalating situation.

With the arrival of spring comes a surge in graffiti vandalisim as area street gangs mark their turf.

When you mention the topic of gangs in Portland, most people think of Bloods and Crips, the overwhelmingly black gangs that arrived here in the late '80s. But that's all changed.

The Rise of Mexican Gangs

As the African-American gang problem has slowly been brought under control, its Hispanic counterpart has quietly grown. In the early '90s, African-American gang members outnumbered Hispanic gangsters in Oregon by a ratio of 9 to 1. Two decade later that ratio has reversed.

Scam Alert! Robo-call claims "my debit card has been locked'

If you haven’t already heard a warning about this bogus call – read on.

Today I got the weirdest phishing phone call. It’s a robo-call (with a raspy British accent) saying:

“This is Washington Mutual. We’re calling to let you know that your debit card has been locked. Press 1 for more information.”

Washington Mutual?

Washington Mutual was caught in the implosion of the mortgage market. On Friday Sep 26, 2008 America woke to the news of the failure of WaMu - the nation's largest savings and loan. Overnight the federal government had seized Washington Mutual and brokered a deal - selling much of the company for about $1.9 billion to JPMorgan Chase.

Phishing (not fishing)

Since Washington Mutual doesn't exist anymore, and I don't have an account with Chase, I hung up immediately.

It was a phishing call. An attempt to acquire sensitive information by masquerading as a trustworthy entity.

This is a scam. A potential financial disaster. Don't fall victim to it.

Third pre-dawn sighting in the past week

For the third time in the past week a lone coyote has been spotted around 5:30AM roaming the Capri Terrace and Clairmont areas in the Wilkes East neighborhood on NE Oregon & 166th, and NE Multnomah between 165th & 162nd. Residents should be careful to keep small pets and animals indoors at night and keep a watchful eye on them when they're outside.

UPDATED Feb 24, 2011: A pair of coyotes was seen again roaming NE Multnomah St between 165th &162nd a couple of hours before dawn Thursday morning. Residents in the area are advised to leave the coyotes alone as they typically do not present risks to humans unless cornered or threatened.

Urban coyotes sightings are not unusual in the Portland area, especially between the hours of dusk and dawn when they are most active. Just last fall there were several reported sightings in the Alameda neighborhood of Northeast Portland

East County Courts, Rockwood Click for enlarge

Formal ground breaking to begin construction of $19.6 million courthouse Courthouse opens in spring 2012

When: Friday, Jan 7, 2011 11:00AM
Where: East County Courthouse site
SE 185th Avenue & Stark St
Gresham OR
Get Map!

Source: Multnomah County, East County Courts website

Public Affairs Office, News Release

Multnomah County is slated to break ground on a new courts facility in the Rockwood neighborhood of Gresham.

On Friday, Jan. 7 at 11 a.m., project stakeholders will make remarks and formally break ground to begin construction on the $19.6 million courthouse on a 4.2 acre lot at Southeast 185th Avenue and Stark Street in Gresham. The Courthouse opens in spring 2012.

Speakers will include Oregon State District 25 Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson, Multnomah County Presiding Judge Jean Maurer; Multnomah County Chair Jeff Cogen; Multnomah County Commissioners Diane McKeel and Judy Shiprack; and project manager Doug Obletz with Shiels Obletz Johnsen.

The expanded court facilities will serve people being adjudicated for misdemeanors, violations, small claims, landlord and tenant actions, ex parte hearings and document filing for all civil and domestic relations actions. Many of these functions historically have been filed at the downtown courthouse.

December 23, 2008, Portland OR

Cold Temperatures, Snow, Freezing Rain and High Winds are Dangerous What will you do without lights? How will you stay warm? What will you eat?

Winter is quickly approaching, so now is the perfect time to start thinking about winter storm preparation. Household emergency supplies should include enough food, water and supplies to last four days without power or help.

2010, Wet and wild winter predicted

A recent story in the Portland Tribune said Portland area residents are in for a wet and wild winter according to a series of forecasts presented by members of the Oregon chapter American Meteorological Society.

Two years ago an arctic blast delivered a series of three storms that began December 14, 2008 and kept a grip on the area for over two weeks. Portland reported six days where the temperature never got above freezing with high winds, blowing snow, and numerous road closures. Portland General Electric estimated 60,000 customers were without electricity on December 21st. And, on December 23, the airport reported a whopping 10" of snow in one day making it the snowiest December on record.

BRRRrrrr

The 2010 Farmers’ Almanac claims this winter will see more days of shivery conditions: a winter during which temperatures will average below normal for about three-quarters of the nation. Western Washington, Oregon, and northwest California should expect above-normal snowfall in most places. The coldest (and snowiest) periods will occur in mid-December and mid- to late February.

AccuWeather.com Chief Long-Range Meteorologist Joe Bastardi is predicting that the worst of winter's cold and snow will be from the Pacific Northwest to the western Great Lakes. "That will put cities like Portland and Seattle colder and snowier this year".

Winter Checklists and Wind Chill Chart below the break

East County Courts, Rockwood Click for MultCo website

It's official. East County Courts will be built! New three-story facility will house courts and county data center

After more than 40-years the East County Courts will be built in Rockwood. Ground breaking on the new court facility will begin before year's end

Unanimous Approval

The Multnomah County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously October 28, 2010 to approve final plans for construction and financing of a new East County Courthouse in the Rockwood neighborhood of Gresham. Approval to build the facility culminates years of effort to replace the current leased courthouse space in Gresham, which is leaky, cramped and inadequate.

“As a long-time East Multnomah County resident, I am very excited to see this courthouse finally become a reality,” said District 4 Commissioner Diane McKeel. “This project will create new jobs and provide a catalyst for economic growth and development in Rockwood and East County. I would like to acknowledge the partnership, perseverance and support shown throughout this process from my peers on the Board, the courts, law enforcement, East County cities, neighbors and the business community.”

City of Gresham Police

New service saves the City time & money Residents can now report nonemergency crimes online

Online reporting system offered by Gresham Police

Gresham Police Department is launching a new crime reporting service that will allow residents to file police reports online beginning Oct. 11. The new service will allow people to file certain reports at their convenience. These reports include:

• Vandalism (including graffiti)
• Lost property (excluding firearms and prescription medications)
• Theft from vehicles
• Theft (excluding firearms or prescription medications)
• Vandalism to a motor vehicle
• Additional property Information (supplemental information to a prior report)

Click here to File a Police Report

Stark Street Project nearing completion Overnight paving 8PM to 6AM Drivers advised to seek alternate routes

Expect delays overnight

Starting today, crews will grind and place new pavement overlay on Stark Street in Rockwood between 190th and 199th avenues, including the approaches to Stark on Burnside Road. This work is part of Rockwood in Motion and the second phase of safety and boulevard improvements to Stark Street. The work is being conducted at night to minimize delays to the public.

Night work is anticipated from 8PM to 6AM Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 29-30, and will include flagging of the Stark/Burnside intersection, which may delay traffic in the area. Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes.

Paving will continue the first week in October to the east of Burnside on Stark Street down to 199th Avenue; Monday or Tuesday night, weather permitting. This work is anticipated to be finished in one night between 8PM. and 6AM. This pavement work will take one lane at a time and may require minor, periodic detours from side streets as the crews work around cooling asphalt.

Crosswalk and westbound MAX platform *CLOSED* for construction Please support local Rockwood restaurants and businesses

Closure Notice:

Beginning Monday, July 19, the north-south crosswalk on the west side of 188th Avenue and Burnside Street will be closed for construction of the new MAX platform. The westbound MAX platform for the Rockwood/E 188th MAX Station will also be closed as of that day, and riders will be directed to a new temporary westbound platform located directly across from the existing eastbound platform (just east of the intersection of 188th and Burnside). There are no changes for eastbound riders at this time. The MAX will continue to operate on schedule with no service interruptions anticipated.

Vehicular traffic both eastbound and westbound on Burnside Street will continue to be limited to one lane in this area until the new light rail platforms open in early 2011.

See Traffic Impact Map for a visual illustration of the pedestrian and vehicular traffic impacts.

Hungry? Eat in Rockwood!

There is a world of great dining options in Rockwood. Please support local Rockwood restaurants and other businesses during the construction. They are open and look forward to serving you!

Click here Rockwood in Motion Restaurant Guide (pdf).

IMPORTANT

Please observe all detours and other signs and signals near the site for safety. Please avoid closed crosswalks and sidewalks, and do not enter the posted construction area.

Try this: Guess your child's height and weight. Write it down Then measure him or her and see how close you come

How'd you do?

No one wants to imagine going through the nightmare of having their child go missing. The very thought strikes fear in every parent.

Fortunately you can prepare for the unthinkable by ordering a free Child ID kits from the Oregon State Police.

Since June 4, 2010 close to 3,000 "Complete Identification and DNA Kits" (which are free and are available in English and Spanish) have been sent to people in Oregon as well as nationally (and Canada too!).

The kits help families record important information like dental information, physical information and a photograph. In addition, they provide the necessary tools for taking a DNA cheek swab sample and fingerprints.

Interested?

Child Complete Identification and DNA Kits are available to order by calling 1-800-282-7155, or by email at childidkits@state.or.us. The kits are free of charge!