Hello Overlook neighbors! Unfortunately, there are a couple of public safety items for you to be aware of this week; please read below carefully and see if you can help. If you are concerned about crime and public safety issues in Overlook, have we got a deal for you; be sure to check out item #5 and plan to attend the upcoming Overlook Public Safety Forum.
Read on; there’s lots of fun stuff in this week’s message too.
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1) Arson Investigation in Overlook (now)
2) Little Kids' Jamboree Sessions at Overlook House (10/12)
3) Portland Harbor Community Advisory Group (10/12)
4) O•NeST Planning Potluck
5) Overlook Public Safety Forum (10/19)
6) Still time to apply to Portland's Neigh Small Grants Program! (11/1)
7) Reward Offered in Overlook Car Prowl Case
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1) Arson Investigation in Overlook (now)
Public Safety Alert for Overlook Neighborhood Area: Arson investigation
From: City of Portland, Crime Prevention Program
Contact: Mark Wells – mark.wells@portlandoregon.gov – 503-823-4098
Date: 10.06.11
Please read the below Press Release from Portland Fire and Rescue issued on 10.05.11 in regards to an active arson investigation that is focusing in the Overlook neighborhood area. If you have information directly related to this investigation, the contact Detective is listed. This is a very unsettling crime and has the potential for causing a large amount of panic and/or speculation. Please know the many investigators and detectives assigned to this case are working diligently with all available resources. We will be communicating as much information to the public as possible; however, please remember this is an on-going investigation and few details can and will be released.
Portland Fire & Rescue Investigating North Portland Arson Fires
Portland Fire & Rescue is actively investigating several recent arson fires in North Portland. These early morning fires were discovered to the exterior of homes in the Overlook Neighborhood. Portland Fire & Rescue Fire Investigations is being assisted by partnering agencies of the Metro Fire Investigation Team including Portland Police, ATF, and Oregon State Police. Due to the ongoing investigation, Investigators are unable to release further information at this time.
Portland Fire & Rescue urges all households, particularly those in North Portland, to take the following precautions:
1. Secure items that could easily burn in a safe location.
2. Ensure your home is equipped with properly functioning smoke alarms in every sleeping area and on every floor.
3. Report suspicious persons and activities to police immediately.
Anyone with information on these arson fires is encouraged to contact Portland Fire & Rescue's Joe Luiz at 503-823-3408 or joseph.luiz@portlandoregon.gov.
Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to an arrest in this case, or any unsolved felony, and you can remain anonymous. Call Crime Stoppers at 503-823-HELP (4357), leave a tip online at www.crimestoppersoforegon.com, or text CRIMES (274637) and in the subject line put 823HELP, followed by your tip.
Suspicious people: Call police non-emergency: 503.823.3333
Crime in progress: Call police/fire: 911
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2) Little Kids' Jamboree Sessions at Overlook House (10/12)
Little Kids’ Jamboree is an interactive event with simple rhythm instruments, singing and movement! Instructor Lorna Miller and her guitar invite children, along with their family and friends for an hour of fun!
First meeting Wednesday, October 12th! This is most appropriate for young children up to 6 years. Children must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.
Time: Wednesdays, 3:30 to 4:30 PM October 12th through December 14th
Location: Basement room of the Overlook House
Cost: $50 Pre-registration recommended.
Contact Lorna Miller 503-233-6890 or lorna@ westernhummingbird.com
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3) Portland Harbor Community Advisory Group (10/12)
Meetings of the Portland Harbor Community Advisory Group (PH CAG) are intended to keep the community abreast of developments on the Portland Harbor Superfund Site and to provide a forum for discussion. PH CAG meetings are open to everyone. We encourage you to step forward to share your concerns and advice.
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: 6543 N Burlington Avenue (at the Portland BES Water Pollution Control Lab)
On the Agenda:
Di
scussion of clean-up technologies – Lower Willamette Group, Jim McKenna and Barbara Smith (Chip Humphrey of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will also be available for questions)
Other CAG topics – Jim Robison
Hope to see you there!
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4) O•NeST Planning Potluck
Did you like one of our Sustainability Film and Food evenings at Daybreak Cohousing? Have a great time at the Yard Sale/Free Share weekend? Get rid of a BUNCH of plastic at our Cork & Plastics RoundUp? We're getting together to plan for our second year… come and add your good ideas to ours for this next year's projects and events. We're looking for folks with bright ideas, energy for sustainability actions and good humor (tasty potluck dishes are a plus, too!). So join us… and bring a neighbor!
Overlook Sustainability Team – O•NeST Meeting
Thursday, October 13, 6-8pm 3908 N. Concord Ave, corner of Failing Street
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5) Overlook Public Safety Forum (10/19)
This forum is organized by and for Overlook residents and business owners to educate ourselves about public safety in our neighborhood. Please help us spread news of the forum so we can fill Kaiser Town Hall. Bring all your questions and speak directly to those officials who deal directly with public safety.
Overlook Public Safety Forum (10/19)
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Kaiser Town Hall Ballroom
3704 N. Interstate Ave.
6:00-7:00 p.m. Open House with representatives from Portland Police Bureau, Gang Enforcement Team, Transit Police, Parks Rangers and more.
7:00-9:00 p.m. forum presentations from many of the above organizations facilitated by Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Wells.
All Overlook neighbors are encouraged to attend our first public safety forum.
Questions or need additional information, please contact:
Mark Wells
Crime Prevention Coordinator
Office of Neighborhood Involvement
City of Portland
503-823-4098
mark.wells@portlandoregon.gov
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6) Still time to apply to Portland's Neigh Small Grants Program! (11/1)
You still have time to apply for a City of Portland Neighborhood Small Grant for 2012. Grant applicants need to submit their applications by the end of October. The neighborhood coalitions will be giving out approximately $189,600 for community projects and events to be completed in 2012. The goal of the grant program is to provide neighborhood and community organizations the opportunity to build community, attract new and diverse members, and sustain those already involved. Neighborhood associations and community organizations are eligible to apply.
Contact the coalition's grant program coordinator before you apply to be sure you understand that coalition's requirements and process:
North Portland Neighborhood Services, Mary Jaron Kelley, 503-823-4099, mary@npnscommunity.org and Arolia McSwain, 503-823-0209, aroliamcswain@gmail.com
Applications Deadlines: Applicants must submit their completed grant applications to the appropriate neighborhood coalition office no later than 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Additional Information: Additional information about the Neighborhood Small Grant Program and links to neighborhood coalition grant websites, neighborhood district maps, and coalition grant applications are available on the ONI website at: http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=43120
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7) Reward Offered in Overlook Car Prowl Case
PORTLAND POLICE BUREAU NEWS RELEASE: Crime Stoppers #11-35 Kaiser Car Prowl
The Portland Police Bureau, in cooperation with Crime Stoppers, is asking for the public's help in identifying a car prowler in North Portland.
On September 11, 2011, a Portland Police officer assigned to North Precinct responded to the report of a car prowl at 5115 North Greeley Avenue, in the Kaiser Permanente parking lot. The theft occurred sometime between 3:30 p.m. on the 10th and 3:30 a.m. on the 11th.
The victim reported that her vehicle had been broken into and a Phaff sewing machine, valued at more than $2,000, had been stolen. The suspect broke both passenger side windows and the rear window during the theft.
The suspect is described as a white male in his 20s, 5'09″, 165 pounds, with a bald head, wearing a black t-shirt and black shorts.
Photos of the suspect are available for viewing at www.crimestoppersoforegon.com
Investigators from the Portland Police Bureau believe that the suspect may be responsible for additional neighborhood car prowls and are asking for the public's help identifying him.