In his first major action as the new police commissioner, City Commissioner Dan Saltzman is creating a “multi-agency mission” to address the ongoing gang war between the Crips and the Bloods.
A news release (PDF) says the team will include representatives from the Portland Police Bureau, Gresham Police Department, Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. They’ll coordinate with the Office of Youth Violence Prevention, members of the faith community, social service agencies and citizen volunteers, the news release says.
But the best part is the name: Operation Cool Down. Who comes up with this stuff?
Meantime, here’s an update from Portland Police spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz on the latest gang-related shooting. It happened yesterday and is the 12th shooting since Darshawn Cross, an Unthank Park Hustler, was gunned down in a North Portland church on Dec. 12.
At 2:21 pm, East Precinct officers were called to the 9200 block of Southeast Holgate Street on a shots fired call. Based on statements from witnesses, officers believe that a male on foot shot at a vehicle before fleeing the area. The intended victim vehicle also fled before officers arrived.
Officers have not found a shooting victim. A second vehicle traveling through the area was hit by shots fired from the suspect. The driver of the second vehicle contacted police and does not appear to be an intended target of the suspect.
The suspect … has been identified as 22-year-old Anthony Dwaine Bell. He was charged with one count of Attempted Aggravated Murder, two counts of Attempted Murder, and one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Investigators believe that is a connection between this shots fired call and other recent shootings in both Portland and Gresham.
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Tags: gang war
