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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (May 23, 2012)
WWW . THESKANNER . COM M AY 23, 2012 P ORTLAND , O REGON V OLUME XXXIV, N O . 21 25 CENTS For The Skanner news alerts Text "NEWS" to 503-715-0890 or scan this QR code C HALLENGING P EOPLE TO S HAPE A B ETTER F UTURE N OW New report details forfeitures to Oregon law enforcement By Helen Silvis Of The Skanner News O regon’s law enforcement agencies seized more than $1.8 million in cash and goods during 2011 drug busts, according to a report from the state’s Asset Forfeiture Oversight Advisory Com- mittee. Among the assets seized were more than 30 cars and trucks, guns, computers, televi- sions, a safe, a refrigerator, a snowmobile, a lawn mower, grow materials and, of course, drugs. The forfeiture report mines data from Ore- gon’s online reporting system, which started up in July 2010. The 2011 data is the first full year of reports from across the state. “We only have a year and a half of data, so it’s a bit early to really see overall trends,” says David Fidanque, executive director of the Oregon branch of the Ameri- can Civil Liberties Union. He has served on the forfeiture oversight committee since 1989. He says that what we are seeing is a dra- matic difference in how individual jurisdictions are handling the costs – includ- ing things like attorney fees and storage. “Some jurisdictions were taking a very large percentage off the top for costs, partic- ularly for attorney fees. I think that’s an issue the oversight committee needs to mon- itor going forward,” he says. Compared to the six months of data avail- able from 2010, about 8 percent more funds were distributed in 2011. However the costs of seizing those forfeited assets jumped by 600 percent. Oregon’s civil forfeitures grossed $1.2 million. And $170,453.37 of it went to attor- ney fees. Under Oregon law, in most cases, police must be able to charge a crime before seiz- ing assets. Some exceptions exist, for example where there is a previous pattern of crime. The proceeds are distributed accord- VILLAGE MARKET The healthiest corner store in North Portland is celebrating one year of affordable fresh produce and food to go. The Village Market, at 632 North Trenton St. in New Columbia, is offering balloons, barbeque and music on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, during open hours from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. “This is going to be a good old- fashioned come as you are sort of thing,” says manager Mychal Tetteh, at right. “It’s a celebration for people to come out and connect.” For more information call 503- 548-0374. There’s a Hole in the Safety Net Homeownership, foreclosure prevention dangling in city budget Lisa Loving Of the Skanner News P ortland housing advocates are crossing their fingers in hopes City Commis- sioner Nick Fish, whose portfolio includes the Portland Housing Bureau, can fill a $700,000 city budget gap that would eliminate funding for homeownership, foreclosure prevention and other services to low-income and communities of color. The proposed budget cuts See DRUGS on page 3 INDEX PHOTO BY LISA LOVING Drugs, Guns, Cash impact homebuyer services, credit clean-up programs and foreclosure prevention services offered by the African American Alliance for Homeownership, the Native American Youth and Family Center, Hacienda Com- munity Development Corporation, Portland Commu- nity Reinvestment Initiatives Inc., Proud Ground, and the Portland Housing Center. In a sense, these are programs funded by the city that help mit- igate the impacts of gentrification; nevertheless within the coming year’s budg- et, the Office of Management and Finance recommended they be eliminated completely. And as far as the budget process is moving at this point – they are. “What we heard from Nick Fish is that they’re really trying to bridge that gap – they’re try- ing to find the money,” said Jen Matheson, a housing program outreach specialist at the NAYA Family Center. “What’s unfortunate is that the way the General Fund budget is configured, that recommenda- tion about not funding homeownership got carried through to the Mayor’s budget,” she said. “We’re in a holding pattern, but we feel hopeful that Nick is our champion and will find a way to fund our programs.” Fish said Tuesday morning that he and his staff have had a plan throughout the budget process for filling in the holes on homeownership and that he’s confident that will happen. See BUDGET on page 3 Humboldt Closure Ceremonies June 8 News ......2,3,6,7,11,12 The Skanner News seeks historic school photos from the 1960s Opinion ..................4,5 Lisa Loving Of The Skanner News A & E ............8,9,13,14 Fashion...............10,12 Bids/Classifieds ........15 A s the Portland Public Schools pre- pares to close down Humboldt K-8, The Skanner News is partnering with the school’s community to create an online “time capsule” to help keep that com- munity in touch. For former and current students, their families, and staff, a special celebration is planned at Humboldt on Friday, June 8. Starting at 4:30, the school hosts an Open House and Picture Gallery Walk. The event allows local residents to walk the halls one last time and admire artwork done by the students over the past year. There will also be a photographic display of the 51-year-old school’s history, which is already going up in the hallway display boards – but a bigger show is planned for the school gym. At 5 p.m. principal Willie Poinsette leads a celebration ceremony, recognizing impor- tant teachers, staff, community members – and, of course, kids – who have made Hum- boldt school a beloved institution over the decades. A special highlight will be a per- See SCHOOL on page 3
