East PDX Today

Following the launch of the Safe Gresham initiative last year, the City has developed additional strategies to improve safety with its limited resources by using technology and partnerships.  

“Without the resources the Gresham Safety Levy would have provided, we need to rethink our approach to keeping our community safe,” said Gresham Police Chief Travis Gullberg. “While we will continue to show up for our community, we’re also going to be leaning on innovative solutions and collaboration more than ever.”

The City developed the Safe Gresham initiative in early 2022 as a comprehensive community violence initiative. Safe Gresham was designed with three strategies that all work together simultaneously, prevention, intervention and collaboration.  

Collaboration:

• With the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, two seasonal park ambassadors have been hired. Their work will encompass all City parks and in collaboration with Parks and Recreation, provide education, guidance, and a presence for all community members who need assistance with navigating the City’s recreational system.
• With the use of ARPA funds, two community safety specialists have been hired. They will initially be assigned to telephonic reporting duties or Telephonic Reporting Unit (TRU) and work associated with investigations, with a plan to eventually deploying into the community. Originally conceived as a team of six that would be fully funded in years three to five of the Gresham Safety Levy, this pilot program was reduced with the failure of the levy. Without additional revenue, the pilot will be discontinued after two years. 
• Gresham Police will partner with the Portland Police Bureau, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office in a joint effort to address retail and motor vehicle theft. Four department members will be assigned as liaisons with the Joint Retail and Auto Theft Task Forces in addition to regularly assigned duties.

Intervention: 

• One Gresham detective has been reassigned to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Special Investigations Unit (SIU). This will allow Gresham Police to provide enhanced illegal narcotic distribution investigations through collaborative intervention work with local, state, and regional partners. 
• The Gresham Police Department is launching a Drones as First Responders (DFR) pilot program. Certified police officers and drone pilots will operate in conjunction with patrol staff to provide call information, support, and call clearance throughout shifts. As this is a pilot program, current plans call for staffing high call volume times on a limited basis.

Prevention: 

• One Gresham Police Department officer has been assigned to a full-time public information officer and school liaison officer position. This work will coordinate the department’s response to school and community threats and ongoing collaboration with Gresham’s Youth Services team surrounding youth violence prevention efforts. Specifically, they will participate in school threat assessments and connect with community-based work groups.
• Gresham Police will continue to collaborate with the City’s Youth Services, Parks and Recreation, Communications and Community Engagement teams to ensure consistent and active participation in community events.
• Gresham Police will schedule strategic community safety missions meant to prevent criminal activity and address livability concerns throughout the City. In addition, Gresham Police will continue to participate in joint missions with regional public safety agencies to lessen the impacts of safety issues such as gun violence, auto and retail theft and unsafe transportation.

Originally the Safe Gresham initiative included additional components ranging from reopening the Rockwood Public Safety Building and restoring the Neighborhood Enforcement Team to hiring mental health clinicians and professional support staff to aid investigations. However, with the failure of the Gresham Safety Levy, the above is what the City can do with the current resources available.

“Safety is vital to our community’s success,” said City Manager Nina Vetter. “With the resources we have, along with the temporary ARPA federal dollars and grant funding, our priority remains addressing 911 calls and violence. However, we will not be able to reach the community’s and city’s safety goals long-term without a sustainable funding solution, and we are not giving up on that goal.” 

For more information, visit GreshamOregon.gov/Safe-Gresham.

Original source can be found here