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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 2006)
Babies, graduates, five I generations, Indigenous Games I Pages 12-13 Ineieete, underage drinking. pow wow. «»Ik tag drawing R ' S iletz * Pharmacy update, CHS update, I out-of area benefits, breastfeeding I | Page 19-20 | Wynonna. Styx, Run for the Wind, Comedy on the Coast Pages 21 22 CÎ) N ews Gang-Related Activity Appears in Community hy Laurel Johnson lii resptmse to recent signs of gang-related activities in Siletz, the Tribal Prevention Programs Committee held a follow up meeting June 2H at the Siletz Tribal Community Center. Al a previous meeting on lune 6, Tori Lopez, a presenter from Mult nomah County; Darelle Butler, a Siletz tribal elder/spiritual healer; and mem bers of the Toledo Police Department discussed gang-related issues with members of the local community. Approximately 40 people attended the most recent meeting after enjoying a free dinner sponsored by Prevention Programs. During the meeting. Detina John, prevention coordinator, and Jenifer Metcalf, youth development specialist, discussed gang-related is sues with members of the community. “We want to develop a community action plan.” Jenifer told those attend ing. As of early June, gang graffiti had made its appearance at the Siletz skate part and In tribal housing, including the large cement-covered embankment on _. Large reproductions of pho tographs of the graffiti in Siletz were on display at the meeting. During the discussions, the Preven tion Committee and community volun teers agreed that their attempts to re move the graffiti were met with little success. One volunteer told those at tending the meeting that those respon sible for the graffiti had left a paint thin ner-type compound over their mark ings. thus leaving the painted surfaces pitted and making conventional meth ods of clean-up “almost Impossible” “ll‘s taking too long.” another mem ber of the community told the committee. Jenifer and Delina asked those at tending to research the problem further to see what could be done to remove the graffiti and prevent future occurrences. “What we’ve seen in our commu nity.” Jenifer said, “is tagging and it’s a gang-related activity.” Graffiti Otten First Indication of Gang Activity According to Robert Walker, former National Major Gang Task Force advisory board member. “Gang graffito, the singular of graffiti, is of ten the first indication that gang activ ity is present in your community." Walker also said. “Studies have shown in many cases that if graffiti is left unchecked and not removed, more and more graffiti will appear." How ever. as Walker indicated. “Not all graf fiti is gang related. Individuals known as ‘taggers' paint graffiti on buildings, fences, signs, highways, overpasses, and even trucks and railway cars. Many of these individuals enjoy a reputation for creativity and will frequently sign their ‘tagger’ name.” Still. Walker stressed. “It is none theless important to immediately re move this type of graffiti (because) it is still vandalism!” In response to the problem of gang graffiti, Walker has told the public to “remember the four Rs of graffiti: Siletz News Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians P.O. Box 549 Siletz. OR 97380-0549 “Read - Read the graffiti to deter mine the gang(s) involved. If you are unable Io interpret what is observed, find someone who can. Frequently, a great deal of intelligence can be gath ered. such as the nicknames or moni kers of gang members, warnings, threats to other gangs, availability of drugs, pending gang wars, and more. “Report - Educators, parents and other concerned citizens should report found graffiti to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Law enforcement or corrections personnel should report the existence of graffiti to the department’s gang intelligence unit. Record - Use a still or video camera to record the graffiti for possible later use. If graffiti continues Delores Pigsley, Tribal Chairman Brenda Bremner. General Manager and Editor-in-Chief Whafs Inside Letters to the Editor Chairman's Report Tribal Program News Tribal Member News Notices 2 3 4 12 15 Tribal Council Timesheets Siletz. Clinic Chinook Winds Passages IB IM 21 23 125? UNIVERSITY OF OREGON EUGENE OR 97403-1205 See Gang on page 14. PRESORTED FIRST-CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 178 SALEM. OR
