By Brian Hochhalter & Allen Field
The Richmond Neighborhood Association held its monthly meeting on Monday, February 10. Portland Police Sargent Sam Ajir described a renewed effort by the Police Bureau on community outreach and a commitment to try to have an officer attend most neighborhood association meetings.Â
He explained the severe staffing shortage in East Precinct: the current 125 officers are doing the work that the ideal number of 517 officers (based on national averages) should be doing. Call times increase as a consequence but it’s important to report incidents/crimes so police know where to allocate resources. Property crimes and theft are the bulk of offenses in Richmond. Crime statistics can be viewed at portlandoregon.gov/police.
Gina Ambrose, President of the Junior League of Portland, presented an overview of the organization. Its mission is to promote volunteerism, develop the potential of women and improve communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. 2020 is their 110th anniversary. They are concluding their annual Delicates Drive and seek to collect 10,000 new undergarments of any kind to help survivors of human trafficking, which is more prevalent in Portland than people realize. For more information see jlpdx.org.
Kathryn Doherty-Chapman, Portland Bureau of Transportation, (PBOT) reported on the progress of the Division Parking Permit Project. Criteria for developing a Stakeholder Advisory Committee was discussed. Renters in apartments and in single family homes, as well as homeowners and business owners on or within a few blocks of Division are encouraged to apply. The deadline is March 6 but it might be extended. The proposed parking permit plan will be put to a vote of those inside the proposed area. For more information, see portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/751632. The RNA will send out updates on its listserv as we receive them.
Karla Kingsley, PBOT, explained the SE Hawthorne Pave and Paint project and community outreach efforts. Of particular interest are coordinating new curb ramps, new marked pedestrian crossings and sewer upgrades in tandem with the repaving effort.Â
She noted PBOT is considering lane reduction and parking reconfiguration along SE Hawthorne in coordination with this repaving project. For more information: portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/751359. 16,000 postcards were mailed out from PBOT the week of February 10 announcing upcoming workshops.
The next RNA Meeting is March 9, 6:30 pm at Waverly Heights Church (basement), 3300 SE Woodward St.