Portland observer., August 19, 1987, Page 10, Image 10

je 10, Portland Observer, August 19, 1987
Portland Street Gangs
PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
C o n 't fro m Page 6
"Down there, they are very organized, and definitely dangerous. You
see graffiti everywhere, and if the graffiti says somebody is going to get
hit , it's gospel! Graffiti is the gangs' way of communicating, and it seldom
lies It was depressing to hear the horror stories and actually see the vio­
lence " Sgt. Hollingsworth accompanied L A. police to the scene of two
gang murders while at the seminar. “ I spent four hours riding around in
Watts, South Central Los Angeles, and other gang territories, and was
amazed to find there was nothing for them to do but become likely candi­
dates for gang recruitment." The Sgt. expressed confidence that Portland
had gotten on top of the situation early and could avoid California's pro­
blems.
Jimmy Brown, Multnomah County Court juvenile counselor, agrees.
"This isn't Sesame Street we're talking about. The problem in Portland is
serious, but the task force is working with the communities and agencies to
the fullest extent It isn't just a Northeast problem, it's a Portland problem,
and requires linkage with our youth to help solve it," he claims.
According to Brown, Juvenile Court has assigned three counselors to
work with youth in N.E. Portland. Providing probationary, educational
and community services, the counselors monitor youth in and out of
school. If a youth is incarcerated, the monitoring still goes one, and, if he
fails to follow the directions of the Juvenile Court, he is committed to the
state training system.
The counselors are preparing information to present to the Chief Judge
and district attorneys of Multnomah County in August to show that a
pattern is developing in cities north of Los Angeles.
Another member of the task force, Sharon McCormack, of the N.E.
Coalition of Neighborhoods, voiced concerns that the problem, too, would
be perceived as mostly existing in N.E. Portland. "It's spreading to other
neighborhoods," claims Sharon, "and neighbors are becoming alarmed."
McCormack indicated a gang hot-line was being planned to answer caller's
questions about gang activities.
A recent incident pretty much sums up why youth in Portland are
tempted by gang activity. Police stopped a twenty-one year old on a traffic
violation and a search of his late-model vehicle turned up less than an ounce
of marijuana. A search of his person, however, revealed $11,000 in cash,
but, because of the small amount of marijuana, he was only issued a cita­
tion for possession of a controlled substance and allowed to keep the
money. According to police, there was no evidence of the money having
been obtained as a result of criminal activity.
L.A. police lieutenant, Bob Ruchhoft, of the department’s gang de
tail, likes to tell the story —which has become legend to all CRIPS —about
the 21-year-old gang leader known as "W ay Out", who bought a Corvette,
a Rolls Royce, a BMW, and a Mercedes Benz and paid cash for them all
except the Rolls, for which he paid $30 000 down. "He hasn't missed a
$2,400 a-month note yet," says Ruchhoft, "and he isn't even Mt. B ig'."
Police strategy for combating gangs is to "key on the hard core and
build good cases against them and get them out of every body s way "
One task force member voiced concerns that the City’s already-dwind
ling resources would be diverted to prosecution of gangs instead of preven­
tion. "I support the concept of vigorous prosecution," states the member,
who asked to remain anonymous, "but it is now time to develop preven­
tive measures that would deter our youth from becoming a 'wanna be' or
hanger-oner."
The problem has not gone unnoticed by local officials, not is it being
ignored. According to Dan Speffey, aide to Mayor Clark, "Youth gang
activity is being closely monitored, and an action plan is being developed
with the help of the $9,996 grant from our office. Additional funding levels
will be determined after the task foce proposal is received and evaluated."
For Aleem Shabazz, gangs were a part of growing up in Los Angeles.
"They were so active in recruiting new members, it should have been a part
of the high school curriculum,” he states. The former Watts' native was an
outstanding athlete at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles, receiving a
four-year scholarship to Portland State where he lettered in football before
graduating in 1983.
Shabazz claims he was not recruited because of his star football status.
"If you lived in Watts or went to school there, you could expect gang con­
tact. Frankly, I didn't expect to reach my twentieth birthday, because, not
only were the gangs a problem, but so were the police. They IL.A. policel
were equally as dangerous, because more than often Black youth were
falsely identified as a CRIP or Blood.” Shabazz also claims there is a lack of
youth programs in Portland which could offer alternatives and cited boxing,
Teen Post and the Boy Scouts as examples. He was also highly critical of
the lack of visibility and interest in Portland's Black youth by sports figures
and other Black image makers. "W ith the exception of Terry Porter of the
Portland Trailblazers, they are noticably absent. In Los Angeles and other
cities with gang problems we have names like Magic Johnson, Dr. J.',
Michael Jordan and others volunteering time to work with youth. There
seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel here in Portland," he acknow
ledges.
Meanwhile, the community and city officials are eagerly awaiting the
youth gang task force recommendations before embarking on a plan to
ensure the safety of Portland’s streets and neighborhoods.
Watch for your PCC Fall Schedule
in the mail . . . classes begin
the week of September 21.
Watch for your PCC Fall Schedule
in the m ail. . . classes begin
the week of September 21.
Watch for your PCC Fall Schedule in the mail
. . .classes begin the week of September 21. . .
Some highlights:
★ Look for section on holiday crafts
★ Take a telecourse
Combines television viewing of course content with two or
three discussion sessions, textbooks, study guides, testing
and orientation.
★ New public careers at Cascade . . . criminal justice,
fire science, legal assistant, public administration
★ Personal Enrichment (many choices available)
At Cascade Campus . . . History of the Blues on Tuesday
evenings . . . on Wednesdays —Keeping the Burglars Out
Check the schedule for easy registration . . . telephone, mail
or in-person . . . or CALL NOW — 244-6111, extension 5303 or
1 800 634 7999.
1-800-634 7999.
An affirmative action, equal opportunity institution.
Jumping Jehoshaphat! Anyone who can accomplish a five and a half
twisting back somersault on a trampoline is doing one of the most difficult
maneuvers ever achieved. Called the Wills, the move is named after the
five-time world champion, Judy Wills.
An old superstition had it that a newborn baby must be carried upstairs
before it is carried down This act supposedly guaranteed the child would
rise in the world and have a successful life.
Help Prevent
Child Abuse
Parents Anonymous, a child
abuse prevention
program of
Waverly Childrens Home, is accep­
ting applications for volunteer
parent specialists.
Training will be provided at no
cost to qualified applicants who
wish to share their parenting ex­
perience and problem solving skills
on the 24 hour parent Helpline or as
Child Care Specialists for one of
Parents Anonymous weekly parent
support groups.
With the help of dedicated volun­
teer s and generous contributors,
Parents Anonymous has five parent
support groups meeting in the met­
ro area. Volunteer Child Care Spe­
cialists provide care and activities
for children whose parents attend
the group to gain support and learn
valuable parenting skills.
The 24 hour Parent Helpline is
staffed by trained volunteers who
work an 8 hour shift each week
from their home, providng support,
information and referrals to parents
who call with questions about par­
enting issues, or who wish to join a
group. It is the belief of Parents
Anonymous that prevention is the
best cure for child abuse. If you
would like to take this opportunity
to share the skills and experience
you have with other families, either
on the Helpline or with the children,
call Sue Kaastad or Debi McFeron
at 238 8819.
Pan, a Greek god, was believed to
delight in frightening travelers. The
word "panic," derives from his
name.
CARS NEEDED
AT PCC
Damaged cars are being sought
by Glen Fors, Portland Community
College Rock Creek Campus chair
of mechanical careers, for use in the
auto body/auto painting program.
"W e are looking for donated cars
as well as people who want to make
an appointment to have work done
on their cars during fall term ,"
Fors said.
Fors explained the college needs
about a dozen doanted cars each
year for students to use in learning
how to repair them. The cars must
be no more than 10 years old so
parts can be purchased for the re­
pairs, Fors said.
Class members also work on cus­
tomers' cars. No labor is charged,
but a $10 processing fee and all the
parts are paid for by the customer.
Fors said the class would handle 15-
20 cars this fall and even more win­
ter term.
People can come in now to set up
appointments for fall term, Fors
said. Contact him at the PCC Rock
Creek Campus, 645 4661, exten
sion 7248
And the pleasure lasts longer.
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