For the past nine months during the construction process, HAND has continued to ask Safeway to: 1) participate in a “crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED)” review of its building plans, and 2) develop a “good neighbor agreement (GNA)” as a foundation for future communication between Safeway and the neighborhood.

At this time the CPTED review has not been completed and conversations have not begun on the GNA.

Both of these actions are important because of neighbor concerns about the effects of the significantly larger store on the neighborhood. Besides the potential for increased noise and traffic flow, the design and policies of the new store could exacerbate drug traffic, vagrancy, graffiti and litter, which were problems at the old store.

At the new store, the underground parking structure will always be open and the loading dock, garbage dumpsters and bottle return will be on the residential side of the building. Initially there will be no security guards and patrolling of the premises will be at the discretion of the store manager. Decisions about store hours (24/7?) and hours of alcohol sales will likely be based on profit potential not neighbor concerns. A GNA would help neighborhood and store representatives work together to face these issues proactively.

Other stores, like New Seasons, have taken the initiative to interact with the neighborhood when it builds new stores. With Safeway, all of the initiative to insure a good working relationship between a store and the neighborhood has come from neighbors. In early November Safeway was given a letter signed by 72 neighbors (from a casual signature-gathering effort) requesting action on the CPTED and GNA — and still there has been no response.

Although neighbors in the immediate vicinity of the store are most directly affected by store design and policies, Safeway’s lack of response should be of concern to everyone who lives in the HAND neighborhood and believes that businesses, especially large ones, should communicate with and show respect for neighbors — who also happen to be customers.

For continuing updates, send your name and email address to: Ralph@Schmoldt.us. – Ralph Schmoldt, 12/3/11

October is National Crime Prevention Awareness Month, the official month for recognizing the practice of crime prevention, as well as promoting awareness of important issues such as victimization,volunteerism, and creating safer, more connected communities.

To celebrate, the Office of Neighborhood Involvement Crime Prevention Program and our public safety partners are planning the following events for the month of October:

• Presentation on crime prevention and using 9-1-1 and the non-emergency number for the police, 1120 SW 5th Ave Auditorium-Portland Building, on Wed, Oct 12th, 12-1pm.
• Bicycle Safety and Security Training at the Multnomah County Building, 501 SE Grand, on Wednesday, October 19th at 5:15-6:15pm.
• Public Transit Safety Forum at East Precinct, 737 SE 106th, on Thursday, October 20th from 6:30-8:30pm.
• Graffiti Clean Up at Mt. Scott Presbyterian Church, 5512 SE 73rd, on Saturday, October 22nd from 9am-1pm.
• Gun Turn In at the Rose Garden Arena Benton parking lot on Saturday, October 22nd from 10am-2pm.
• Community Policing Reception honoring SW Portland officers at the Multnomah Center on Monday, October 24th at 7pm.
• Engraving party at the Kenton Firehouse, 8105 N. Brandon Street, on Wednesday, October 26th from 7-9pm.
• Prescription Drug Turn-In events on Sat, Oct 29th, 2011 from 10am to 2pm at 3 locations: Fred Meyer, 7404 N Interstate; Fred Meyer, 1111 NE 102nd Avenue; and Portland State University, 1880 SW 6th.

Stay tuned for more information about upcoming events. Find us on Facebook (City of Portland Crime Prevention Program), Twitter (@pdxpreventcrime), website (portlandonline.com/oni/cp), or call us at 503-823-4064.

Havilah looked at the crime stats for March 1-April 27 (basically two months). Here’s what she found: There have been 7 residential burglaries in the last two months in the HAND neighborhood (which wouldn’t necessarily include the Waverleigh Heights portion of the neighborhood – this is technically part of Richmond).

However, Havilah looked back through her notes and found that HAND fluctuates (just like every other neighborhood) on residential burglaries. Last spring there were 7 in one month and she found notes of 2 in another month.

Regardless of the numbers, when you hear about a burglary in your neck of the woods, it’s always a great reminder to talk with neighbors about organizing a block watch.

“It’s always a good time to have neighbors looking out for each other, but especially when there is fear of crime in the neighborhood,” said Ferschweiler.

For more information on organizing a block watch, please link to http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=53530&a=320557 or feel free to contact Ferschweiler or her jobshare partner Jacob Brostoff at 503-823-0540.

Here is a link for our Do-It-Yourself Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) evaluation for your information http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=53530&a=320554. The CPTED form helps you look at ways to improve the security of your home through effective use of natural surveillance, strengthening the security of your entry points and more.

Ferschweiler also reminds neighbors to keep an eye out for any unusual activity. If you see ANY suspicious activity, please contact non-emergency at 503-823-3333. If you see someone breaking in to a home, please call 9-1-1. Either way, try to record as much information for the Police as possible without putting yourself in harms way. Things such as car license plate numbers, suspect description, direction that suspect is leaving, etc.

Also, it’s a great reminder to engrave their valuables and keep serial numbers when possible. If you have valuables such as jewelry, take pictures and keep those in a safe place in case you ever need to file a police report. This will help reunite you with your stolen merchandise when it shows up. I would also add that its important to keep valuables such as computers, cameras and electronics out of sight, if possible. It’s important to minimize any interest in breaking into your home. It’s the same concept that we share when we talk about car prowls. Keep valuables out of sight. Pull curtains or blinds when needed.

Any additional questions, please contact Havilah or her jobshare partner Jacob Brostoff at the emails below.

Havilah Ferschweiler
Southeast Crime Prevention Coordinator
Office of Neighborhood Involvement, City of Portland
(503) 823-0540
havilah.ferschweiler@portlandoregon.gov

Jacob Brostoff who can be reached at the same phone number or at Jacob.Brostoff@portlandoregon.gov. Please include both of them on all correspondence.

Portland Police alert sent out Dec. 2.:The Portland Police Bureau, in cooperation with Crime Stoppers, is asking for your help in solving an assault and possible hate crime.

Just after midnight on Monday November 1, 2010, a man was assaulted near the pedestrian overpass located at Southeast 16th Avenue and Brooklyn Street. The victim was severely beaten and sustained serious head and abdominal injuries and was left unconscious on the train tracks just below the overpass.

After an interview with the victim, detectives believe that the assault was likely due to the suspect’s perception of the sexual orientation of the victim.

The suspect is described as a white male in his early to late 20s. He is approximately 6’1″ in height with a muscular build. He had short blonde hair and a light beard. He also had a light complexion and his face was freckled. The suspect was riding a bicycle and was accompanied by another male also on a bicycle.

A forensic sketch of the suspect is available for viewing at www.crimestoppersoforegon.com.

Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to an arrest in this case, or any unsolved felony, and you can remain anonymous. Call Crime Stoppers at 503-823-HELP (4357), leave a tip online at www.crimestoppersoforegon.com, or text 823HELP plus your tip and send it to CRIMES (274697).

Below is a press release/crime alert from Portland Police about incidents near Hosford Middle School. Thanks to our Southeast Crime Prevention Coordinator Katherine Anderson for passing this on. As she says, “You are extra eyes and ears out in the neighborhoods.”

Posted: September 28, 2010 12:35

This morning, Monday September 27, 2010 between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., a subject was observed openly masturbating in his vehicle parked near Southeast 26th Avenue and Grant Street in view of the public. Four female students from Hosford Middle School walked past his vehicle on their way to school and he soon started his car, followed them for about a block and pulled over next to them as if to make contact with them while still masturbating.

Anyone with information about this suspect is encouraged to call 9-1-1.

The recent “hot spot” on the east side of the river for commercial burglaries is in inner-Southeast and does include a portion of lower DCBA (Division/Clinton Business Association). It’s very important for all business owners to be aware of any suspicious activity around your business as well as your neighbors and to contact non-emergency right away if you see something that just doesn’t look right. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or if you are interested in a CPTED at your business. -From Havilah Ferschweiler, Southeast Crime Prevention Coordinator, Office of Neighborhood Involvement, City of Portland.

Commercial Burglary Alert – word document

There will be a hearing on the County budget at their Commission Chambers (Hawthorne and Grand) on Wed June 2 from 6 to 8.

Also, here is a link to the Oregonian article that discusses the issue.
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/05/multnomah_county_district_atto.html

*Comments can be sent to Jennifer Huntsman at Jennifer.Huntsman@state.or.us or fax to 503-872-5110.*

The ORA submitted a similar petition twice in 2008. Both times, the City Council sent a letter requesting that the petition be denied. The prior petitions were withdrawn for other reasons, which does not seem likely this time. *Following is some general information on why the petition raises concerns for ONI*.

ONI is concerned this will drastically decrease the opportunity to comment on problems that arise from licensed premises. License renewals offer an opportunity for problem solving both formally and informally.
Under the provisions of the petition, this will only happen every two years, rather than the current annual process.

Additionally, while the LICENSE fee will double to maintain revenues to the state; the PROCESSING fees that fund the City of Portland Liquor Licensing Recommendation program will be cut in half and it is only through legislative change that could be modified.

The ONI Liquor Licensing Program is the primary avenue for neighbors within the City of Portland to address issues at any of the 2500 liquor establishments requiring a local recommendation within the city limits.

The program:
1) Enforces the Time Place and Manner Ordinance that addresses nuisance activities at licensed establishments
2) Works with the Portland Police to submit recommendations to the OLCC on new licenses or renewal licenses after problem solving.
3) Notify neighborhoods about Liquor Licenses coming into the neighborhood.
4) Facilitates Good Neighbor Agreements specific to the sale of alcohol.
5) Collaborates with City and State agencies on long term goals
involving legislative change and saturation issues.
6) Represents the Neighborhoods at Oregon Liquor Control Commission meetings.

*Although this initiative would decrease the administrative burden on the State Agency in terms of processing renewal eliminations, it would hurt the ability for the City to address any but the most serious of
problem establishments. *

Theresa Marchetti
Liquor Licensing Specialist – ONI
1221 SW 4th Ave Ste 110
Portland OR 97204
503-823-3092
theresa.marchetti@portlandgovernment.gov
To view applications currently in process go to
_http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?&c=48007_

At HAND’s neighborhood meeting on Tuesday, April 20th, several at-large neighbors also attended to voice their concerns about livability, safety and the proper way to deal with someone who is tresspassing on their property or a neighbor’s.

It’s a discussion that is ongoing. More details are expected to follow and we’ll post them on this site as we get them. But if you would like to join this discussion to help find solutions and or support please contact HAND Chair Alex Bassos or join us for an upcoming HAND meeting.

In the meantime, a suggested resource is ONI’s website on livability concerns:
http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=32394

Tuseday, March 9th
7-8 pm
Southeast Uplift
3534 SE Main Street

*There is a parking lot on the east side of the building or street parking. We’ll meet in the meeting space in their basement area.

The meeting will be an opportunity for neighbors to discuss problem solving opportunities to deal with noise, trash and other concerns around the Filmed by Bike event on April 16th at the Clinton Street Theater.

For more details contact:
Havilah Ferschweiler
Southeast Portland Crime Prevention Coordinator
Office of Neighborhood Involvement
3534 SE Main Street
Portland OR 97214
503-823-0540
hferschweiler@ci.portland.or.us