Public safety partners will share priorities and recent trends at a meeting in East County this month. Community members are invited to the first of two public forums focusing on public safety in East Multnomah County on Thursday, May 4.
Multnomah County Commissioner Lori Stegmann, who is co-hosting the event, said public safety has always been a high priority for her.
“From my service on the Gresham City Council as the Public Safety Liaison for six years to chairing the Public Safety Levy campaign, I know these are crucial needs for our communities,” Commissioner Stegmann said. “We cannot police our way out of the health and social issues that face our community. We need to partner with law enforcement and take a holistic approach."
The event will include small group conversations and brief presentations from public safety partners. A panel and Q&A session will follow with all attendees.
Recent Public Safety Efforts
Multnomah County’s Local Public Safety Coordinating Council has worked to coordinate public safety policy for many years. Partners collaborate and identify strategies to address gang involvement, community livability, the over-representation of communities of color in the criminal justice system and reducing reliance on jail, particularly for the mentally ill.
The City of Gresham recently added a Director of Police Services and 21st Century Policing, who will focus on data driven practices, problem oriented policing, measures to promote officer wellness and safety programs designed to promote positive interactions between police and the community. This role will also expand organizational collaboration, community outreach and listening opportunities focused on police services, crime prevention, intervention and livability.
“Having a space for East County partners to come together, share information and get connected is so important,” Commissioner Stegmann said. “The networking and connections that happen here are amazing and we’re so happy to be a part of that.”
Topics addressed by the East County Caring Community come from participants and change every month. The group has heard about youth employment, economic development, housing and homelessness, transportation and other intersecting issues.
The second of the public safety forums will be from 3 to 5 p.m. on June 1 at Gresham City Hall.
To get connected or sign up for updates, visit the East County Caring Community online. East County Community Caring meetings are held the first Thursday of each month from 3 to 5 pm. at Gresham City Hall.