Street roots
14
Jan. 21, 2011
Diverse opinions about gang violence — and what to do
hat to do about gang violence "was
risk to drop out of school. “We absolutely
the subject of an educational forum
know that a kid that fails third grade reading
presented earlier this month by
standards is exponentially more likely to
Better People, an organization working drop out of middle school, junior high
through various programs to obtain
school and high school.” Adams added.
employment for
Kate Desmond, a manager with the
Multnomah County Gang Resource
individuals in the
Intervention Team, and Rob Ingram, the
community.
A big kudos should
Director of the Portland Office of Youth
go to the organization
Violence Prevention, told about the
for recruiting a diverse preventative work being done.
group of participants
Desmond oversees the gang probation
at the presentation.
unit and said the city needs to work with
After presentations by
ex-offenders and let them be mentors. She
the mayor, a judge,
wears two hats, law enforcement and social
Chief Counsel from the Department of
worker. She’s concerned that many young
Justice, and folks from the Portland Police
people she speaks with between the ages of
Bureau, we heard from audience
12 and 16 have not been in school for a year.
participants representing community
Desmond drove home that the value of work
programs, parents, the editor of The
and education mustbe introduced at a very
Skanner and former gang members.
young age.
There were two schools of thought that
Rob Ingram has been with Portland
were evident by speakers and participants.
Police since 1976, working in SE Portland.
The first was being tough on criminal
Ingram spoke about the need for youth to
actions and the second is preventing gang
feel a place of belonging and acceptance.
Also representing the Police Bureau was
violence with increased youth programs.
LL Dave Hendrie and Officer Marci Jackson.
Apparently the choice between the two is
Both made convincing presentations and
usually reflected by governmental budgets.
left me feeling that they want to do
Do we increase funds for a stronger police
whatever is best for our youth throughout
force, or do we allocate more funds to
the city.
programs? One had to listen carefully
because most speakers alluded to the plus
“Programs come and go,” said Hendrie.
side of both approaches, and often sounded
“We need to get behind them.” He stressed
the need for accountability, outreach, early
very open to comments by other speakers.
My impression was the glaring cortclusion
intervention and parent education. He also
that it is good to add to programs, but if
spoke about the need for citizens and
they aren’t able to reach the individual
foundations to help with funding and real
youth, then get tough.
participation that would give our youth a
Mayor Sam Adams began his comments
real chance in life. “That starts we with a
by advocating for education. The city’s
great trust between the police and the
Cradle to Career model has helped the city
community.” His conclusion was clear.
identify the 2,500 eighth graders most at
“Society must demand accountability.”
W
FRO M TH E
DESK O F
Ruth Kovacs
Ruth Kovacs is a
Portland activist, form er
teacher and the host o f
Prison Pipeline on
KBOO, 90.7fm . She
writes regularly about the
issues surrounding the
millions o f individuals
and families affected by
the US. prison system.
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Honorable Kenneth R. Walker, Circuit
Court Judge from Multnomah County,
introduced himself as a person from a tough
area of Compton, California. His outline for
eliminating gang violence was parent
education, mentoring, and youth programs.
“At present, there are fathers missing in the
home.” Statistics show that one out of every
three black men are prison bound.
Following the panel’s comments, an open
mic gave folks a chance for comments and
questions. We learned about the work of Big
Brothers and Big Sisters through the
Community Relations and Diversity
Program.
Lisa Loving, with The Skanner, explained
that the community still does not trust the
police because of the many incidents of
police violence that have been piling up.
Other comments and questions showed
that the audience had listened and wanted
to develop action that would provide a
solution to the gang violence in Portland.
One of the last folks to stand up was
Monica Alexander. She told her story of
being, convicted of 27 felony charges, being
addicted to drugs, and finally successfully
recovering after serving years in prison and
losing her son. Her son was killed by gang
violence. She is now 50 years old, a full time
student, and a mentor to kids in trouble.
She said that she regrets she was not
“there” for her own children and is eager to
tell her story. Alexander was strong in her
statement that “jail is not the answer.”
Although thé speakers each had a
different focus and perspective, everyone
who spoke has their own unique
experienced. It’s clear the community is
concerned and listening about gang violence
in our community. Now, it’s time to do
something about it.
!
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