A few weeks ago, on Feb. 20th , the Office of Youth Violence Prevention [1] reported to City Council. During the morning session it became clear there are three necessary legs of a stool to tackle gang problems: law enforcement, parole and probation, and community outreach programs all need to be present and strategically working in partnership.

There is a serious recent up tick in gang activity here in Portland. The Police Bureau's Gang Violence Response Team is called out to incidents when the attending officers suspect gang involvement. It was reported that 100% of the cases in which the GVRT was called, turned out to be gang related.

The numbers clearly show the increase, but so do the reports we see on the news and in the papers: six shootings within the last two weeks, mostly gang related according to Commander Dave Benson of the Portland Police Tactical Operations Division. In East Precinct there have been two severe beatings within recent weeks and one shooting, according to East Precinct Commander Mike Crebs.

During the early and mid 90's Portland geared up and effectively faced our then emerging gang problems. At council, those early days and the need to get out in front of the problem immediately came up; not allowing it to grow out of control before we devote the necessary resources.

We in City government are in the midst of developing the City's budget for 2008-09 [2]. Sam and Commissioner Sten, along with Citizen Budget Members Mary Edmeades and Martin Medeiros make up one of the 2 panels pouring through budget proposals.

This panel is responsible for reviewing the Police Budget and making recommendations to the Mayor who will propose a budget for council approval. We are asking for the Gang Violence Response Team to be increased and to add uniformed officers back on the team. Police Chief Rosie Sizer was able to respond to these concerns with the bureau's plans and strategy. I figure some folks like video, so you can watch the proceeding below or check out City Net 30 [3].

I also figure some people like numbers:

*Notes the assignment of one sergeant and two officers to the Metro Gang Task Force effective July 2006
** Notes the assignment of one sergeant and four officers to Youth Gun Anti-Violence Task Force
***Numbers are Portland Police only after OSP withdrew from gang enforcement

A lot was learned about prevention, intervention, and enforcement back in the 90's; we need to draw upon that knowledge and reallocate our public safety resources to step in front of the increasing gang problems now.

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