With rising crime in our city and across the nation, the BWNA Crime Prevention and Safety Committee has been focused on how to connect with our neighborhood, local agencies, and elected officials on this important topic. Engagement from law enforcement and elected officials typically happens after an incident or when issues arise. With limited resources, priority tends to be given to incidents that are life-threatening or pose a danger to public safety. As a result, other crimes seem to be escalating. In Beaumont-Wilshire, property crimes are the biggest issue. This comes in the form of car and catalytic converter thefts, package and personal property thefts, and vandalism. The following statistics of crime reported in the B-W neighborhood in 2021 were obtained from the City of Portland Crime Statistics website (www.portlandoregon.gov/police/71978).
Offense Count by Category in B-W
| Category | Offense Type | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Person | Assault Offenses | 15 |
| Homicide Offenses | 0 | |
| Human Trafficking Offenses | 0 | |
| Kidnapping/Abduction | 0 | |
| Sex Offenses | 1 | |
| Total | 16 | |
| Property | Arson | 1 |
| Bribery | 0 | |
| Burglary | 31 | |
| Counterfeiting/Forgery | 4 | |
| Embezzlement | 0 | |
| Extortion/Blackmail | 0 | |
| Fraud Offenses | 23 | |
| Larceny Offenses | 110 | |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 60 | |
| Robbery | 4 | |
| Stolen Property Offenses | 0 | |
| Vandalism | 30 | |
| Total | 263 | |
| Society | Animal Cruelty Offenses | 0 |
| Drug/Narcotic Offenses | 0 | |
| Gambling Offenses | 0 | |
| Pornography/Obscene Material | 0 | |
| Prostitution Offenses | 0 | |
| Weapon Law Violations | 0 | |
| Total | 0 |
Community engagement facilitates an effective response and creates a safer neighborhood. Engagement in the form of filing reports (in person or online), calling non-emergency at 503-823-3333 to report a non-emergency crime, and documenting incidents make all the difference. Reporting is key to response, whether it is a homeless camp, abandoned vehicle, or incident. At a BWNA monthly meeting, Sgt. Butcher from North Precinct Neighborhood Response emphasized that the Police Bureau is data-driven in terms of targeting resources and programs. Mike Crebs from the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) also said they are complaint-driven for responding to people living in RVs and cars. The city’s Homelessness and Urban Camping Impact Reduction Program relies on people reporting the campsites.
Non-emergency calls may have a slow response, but this does not mean you should not report incidents; instead, do what you can to gather as much information as possible and file a report. Here are examples:
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Neighbors heard a gunshot. They investigated and found a bullet casing, but thankfully nobody was injured. They called 911 and reported it. While the police did not respond, the report was filed and thus the incident was recorded.
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Neighbors were concerned about a suspicious car on the street. Investigating, they found the plates missing and the interior littered with saw blades, torches, and other paraphernalia. The neighbors reported it to the police by calling the non-emergency number and filing a report online, including photos of the car and VIN number. A Public Safety Support Specialist arrived on the scene, confirmed the car was stolen, and contacted the owner, who put a boot on the vehicle. Later that night, the car thieves came back in another stolen car, changed the tire on the abandoned car, left the booted tire in the street, and drove off in both stolen vehicles. The police were called and responded, resulting in both cars being retrieved and returned to the owners. The thieves, however, were not caught.
By being aware of your surroundings, investigating suspicious activity, and reporting it to the authorities, you can be part of the solution. Years ago the city had a Block Watch program. This was an effective program of organizing neighborhoods, providing training and resources for residents to keep a watch on their neighborhood for criminal activity. While the city has stopped supporting these programs, residents can still connect with their neighbors, share contact information, and pledge to keep an eye out for each other’s homes and neighborhood.
Contact BWNA Crime Prevention and Safety Committee co-chairs Patty Nelson at 503-281-8035 or Bill Markwart at 503-282-4610 with neighborhood crime prevention and safety questions and concerns.