The GPNA Issues
Crime - Meth in Grant Park
In case you thought it couldn’t happen here, in June, Neighborhood Association Board Members, involved neighbors, a Portland Crime Prevention Specialist, and a neighborhood police officer involved with the case met to discuss a methamphetamine house in the Grant Park neighborhood.
It has become apparent that crystal meth is being used but not made or obviously sold in this house. The resident is the homeowner, and has no prior record, so dealing with the problem officially has been difficult. A series of incidents has caused the surrounding neighbors to be concerned about the property and its effect on the whole neighborhood.
Currently the neighbors are gathering information with the goal of filing a Hayden Warrant, which is a citizen warrant, where neighbors will compile a log of suspicious activity with the desired result of the police being able to obtain a search warrant. Neighbors were advised to look into filing a civil lawsuit in regards to the decrease in property value due to the suspicious behavior. The surrounding neighbors of this house have also formed a neighborhood watch block, and it has been strongly suggested that they start up a coordinated neighborhood wide watch, as well as establishing individual block watches.
80% of today’s property theft is attributed to the rising methamphetamine problems. Some ways of protecting yourself against property theft suggested at the meeting are: to leave your porch lights on at night; make sure doors are locked; having your address clearly visible; don’t allow strangers in your home; and if suspicious persons come door to door asking for money, call the non-emergency police number, 503-823-3333, and report them.
Neighborhood Watch
Residential burglaries are increasing. At a special GPNA board meeting, our police liaison spoke highly of the effectiveness of Neighborhood Watch Programs and has encouraged us to work with our neighbors and form groups.
What is Neighborhood Watch? A program to increase the safety and sense of community in neighborhoods by organizing and involving individuals and families in a united crime prevention effort.
It is amazingly simple yet has significant results. Success comes from the grassroots support that is the core of the program. If one or two people on each block can assist in gathering the names, phone numbers and E-mail addresses of the people living on their block, a list can be assembled and shared amongst everyone.
Communication is the key element. Stay in touch with neighbors; let someone know if you’ll be away from home for a week; tell your neighbor if a delivery truck is expected, let people know when your children will be coming home from school. Sharing your routines with neighbors will help them identify when things aren’t normal.
Neighborhood Watch will be what you make of it. Some groups may want to have regular meetings – others may wish to communicate on an “as needed” basis. The Grant Park Neighborhood Association will be available to assist groups as they get started.
We all need help at some times – whether it is watching out for your neighbor’s house, corralling a stray pet or bringing in someone’s garbage can. Please consider starting a Neighborhood Block Watch. Ask your neighbor to join you.
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