1) Parking permits and graffiti
2) Keep your cars locked
3) Sunday Parkways – Save the dates
4) Justice for Brian Spaulding
5) OKNA Board meeting
1) Parking permits and graffiti
At the March 1 Overlook Neighborhood Association meeting (postponed from Feb. 20), neighborhood residents discussed whether we should apply for a Portland Bureau of Transportation parking permit pilot program. After a robust discussion about the pros and cons, neighbors decided not to apply. We’ll let other neighborhoods try things out and see what works.
Neighbors at the meeting also voted to submit a letter of support for the city’s graffiti abatement program. The Office of Neighborhood Involvement’s budget proposal lists it as something it will cut if asked to reduce its budget in the next fiscal year. Read the full letter.
2) Keep your cars locked
Security for adidas patrol their campus, and they try to keep an eye on surrounding streets. During a patrol on a recent night, the security team saw a homeless individual entering a neighbors vehicle. They contacted Portland Police who soon arrived on the scene. Because there were no signs of damage, the responding officer sent the individual on his way.
Thank you to adidas security for helping keep the neighborhood safe. The owner of the vehicle no doubt would have been quite surprised in the morning to find someone sleeping in the backseat.
Everyone should remember that we live in a city. Most people you encounter on the streets are friendly, but a few people will take advantage of an unlocked door, and some of them will do more than sleep. Remember to keep your vehicles locked and not to leave anything valuable visible.
3) Sunday Parkways – Save the dates
It’s almost summer time and that means it’s time to hit the streets of Portland for another round of Sunday Parkways. During these events, the Portland Bureau of Transportation shuts down local streets to vehicles. Bikers and pedestrians can move at their own pace, exploring neighborhoods and seeing special presentations and activities at stops.
Sunday Parkways will return to North Portland on June 24 and passes through part of Overlook. The 9.5 mile double loop will include Peninsula Park Rose Gardens, Harper’s Playground, Kenton Park and McCoy Park, as well. Mark your calendar now.
- Southeast – May 20
- North – June 24
- Green Loop – July 22
- Outer Northeast – August 19
- Northeast – September 23
4) Justice for Brian Spaulding
Brian Spaulding, son of OKNA Board Member George Spaulding, was shot and killed last year. The detectives working his case found no evidence of robbery and have very little to go off of. Neighbors interviewed stated that they had heard no gunshots and were perplexed and in disbelief.
Whether Brian was outside working on his motorcycle or building a forge, he always had a smile and a wave for passersby.
Brian’s family and friends are more than three-quarters of the way to raising $20,000 to supplement a Crime Stoppers of Oregon reward for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators. Learn more about how you can support their effort to bring Justice For Brian Spaulding at their GoFundMe page.
5) OKNA Board meeting
The Overlook Neighborhood Association Board will meet on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Historic Overlook House. The agenda includes a discussion about the heritage tree on Overlook Terrace and a Bylaws Review Committee. The meeting is open to the public.