News

Chief Craig Junginger Gresham Police Department

Calls for police services increased in 2009 Violent crime is down, theft & vandelism rise, response times improve

First Annual Report Issued

Gresham Police Chief Craig Junginger recently released the first annual report for the Gresham Police Department. The report summarizes crime and accident data, police programs, and personnel highlights from 2009.

Highlights of the report include the activities of the three divisions of the police department, the department's community involvement, and 2009 crime statistics.

Did you know there are NO dog parks in Gresham? Join a grassroots effort to create an off-leash area.

Many cities the sizes of Gresham have off-leash dog parks that provide a real convenience and source of enjoyment to dog owners and their pets. These dog parks offer a safe and clean environment by providing an alternative to dog owners who might otherwise let their best friend run loose -- presenting a hazard to their pets and people.

In 2007 the City of Gresham added the only off-leash dog park in the city to Main City Park's master plan, but due to a down economy and budget priorities development remains delayed for the foreseeable future.

Meet Bonnie Mitchell, Gresham resident, dog owner, and community organizer. Bonnie is spearheading an effort in cooperation with Gresham Parks & Recreation to locate funding and grants in an attempt to get thing moving. In addition to funding, Bonnie is also seeking community support and volunteers for this project.

Interested persons are urged to contact Bonnie Mitchell by email at...

Gresham Fire visits Capri Terrace Click to enlarge

Firemen speak to Watch Group about home safety Neighbors enjoy "Daffodil & Springtime" luncheon

Capri Terrace Spring Meeting

Great turn out for their first quarterly meeting of the year. 41 members, 5 firemen along with 1 new household joined the Capri Terrace Neighborhood Watch Group. Several of our families had phoned indicating they were making an early start on Spring Break and were disappointed to miss the event.

Gresham Fire sent a big beautiful truck with their team to talk to us about home safety and were very gracious in answering many questions. They brought plenty of useful and informative materials to hand out including several new home CO detectors which were raffled during their presentation.

Billy & Laurie Simmon’s along with their twin daughters Alex & Andi hosted a lovely Daffodil & Springtime luncheon/dinner. Irish-Swiss Stew was prepared for the occasion along with a huge offering of salads, Shamrock/Easter cakes, pies and cupcakes by group members. Potluck's are a great way to meet neighbors and a lot of fun too!

Share your thoughts and opinions on parking in Downtown Gresham. Take the online survey. Now through June!

Downtown Parking Survey

What’s your opinion of parking in historic Downtown? Is it hard to find a parking space, or just fine? You are invited to share your thoughts and opinions on parking in Downtown Gresham through an online survey.

As part of the Downtown Parking Plan project, the City has developed questions regarding parking availability and preferences among those who use Downtown parking. Answers to questions also will help guide how to manage and provide parking in the future.

The survey will be available through June. Please spread the word. Click here to take the survey!

Public meeting on East County Courts Project team to offer updates and information on proposed Courthouse in Gresham’s Rockwood neighborhood

When: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 6:30 – 8:30PM
Where: Parklane Christian Reformed Church
16001 SE Main
Portland, OR
Get Map!

On Tuesday, March 30, 2010 Multnomah County will hold an informational public meeting on the status of the proposed East County Courts project. This will be held from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Parklane Christian Reformed Church, 16001 Southeast Main Street, in East Portland. (Meeting details below)

(Everyone in the greater East County (especially Gresham & West Gresham) area is urge to attend this important meeting! Ed.)

Graffiti effects everyone!

Graffiti damages our property, and impacts our community Help eliminate graffiti -- report it immediately!

Help with Graffiti Problem

The City of Gresham has reported an explosion in graffiti around town since the Holiday season. Graffiti damages property, and casts a bad light on our community. Don't let vandals take control of your neighborhood. We encourage everyone to help combat this problem!

Within 24 hours of graffiti appearing:

1. Take a picture of the graffiti
   (send it to Cathy Harrington, email Cathy.Harrington@greshamoregon.gov),
2. Report graffiti to the police at 503-618-2463. Do not call 911!
   (there is an officer dedicated to following up right now because the problem's so rampant), and
3. Clean it off or paint over it
   (contact Cathy for graffiti removal kits or help).

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Remember, graffiti effects everyone!

Have a voice in the 'big box' store code development project Attend this Community Forum, April 19th 6:30PM

When: Monday, April 19, 2010 6:30PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
Conference Rooms 2A/2B
1333 NW Eastman Pky
Gresham, OR
Get Map!

The first community forum for this 2010 Council Work Plan project has been scheduled for Monday, April 19 at 6:30PM in Gresham City Hall Conference Rooms 2A/2B. This project is a follow-up to the October 13, 2009, Gresham City Council Policy meeting on "big box" development.

(Everyone concerned about neighborhood big-box stores is urge to attend this important meeting as attendance does make an impact. This is a meeting where folks can make a comment (under 3 minutes). Since the time limit is very set please have your thoughts planned out ahead before attending the meeting. The City Staff will also be making their presentation to the City Council on April 20, 3 to 5pm... another good chance to have a large attendance and to speak (for 3 min). Ed.)

For more information about the 'big box' project and future meeting dates please visit the city's project Web site here.

Real Estate, Mortgages, and... Used Cars too? Wilkes East mortgage broker requests permit to sell used cars at 178th & Glisan location.

Good Idea? Bad Idea?

According to City documents Interbank Mortgage Services has applied for a permit to sell used cars in addition to real estate and mortgage loans on the corner of 178th & NE Glisan. (In this slow economy the temptation to compete with the other used car lot at 163rd & NE Glisan must be too great to resist.)

A notice asking for public comment appeared February 11, 2010 in front of the proposed car lot at 17811 NE Glisan St. Get Map!. View Land Use notice here. If you object to this land use proposal you need to file your comments with the City before February 25, 2010. (See info below)

Gresham Mayor says landlord "did the right thing" "I think he heard the community.”

Mayor Shane T. Bemis announced February 10, 2010 that Jack Medak the owner of the building at l9295 E Burnside and potential landlord for a proposed methadone clinic in the Rockwood area of Gresham has decided not to lease his space for that use.

The decision comes after a contentious two-hour meeting held Thursday, Feb. 4, in the building in question at 19295 E Burnside St.

"This is a big win for the people who have been working so hard to raise the tide in Rockwood," said Bemis. "I am tremendously proud of the community for clearly articulating the potential redevelopment obstacles and law enforcement challenges that could come from an additional methadone clinic in the area." Bemis said “I am glad that Mr. Medak did not lease to them,” adding, “He did the right thing. I think he heard the community.”

Proposed facility to be located in Rockwood's Germantowne Square, 192nd between Stark and Burnside

When: Tuesday Feb 2, 2010 6:30PM
Where: 19295 E Burnside
Gresham Oregon
Get Map!

Meeting Notice

"RETREAC" and a contractor based out of San Francisco have applied to open and operate a Methadone Maintenance Treatment Facility for the treatment and counseling of narcotic addiction. [Methadone is a Schedule II Narcotic not to be confused with "Meth"(Methamphetamine)].

This informational meeting is being held at the request of applicant to:

1. facilitate discussion between neighbors and the applicant
2. identify any perceived issues regarding the proposal, and
3. make modifications to the proposal where reasonable.

It is part of Gresham's Planning Application process for Community Service Use – Type III. Please visit https://egov.greshamoregon.gov/Click2GovPZ/Index.jsp and input Project Number 09-26000311 to review Project Documents/Comments.

Concerned citizens of Rockwood and Wilkes East are urged to attend this meeting.