Gresham Police Prepare for Influx of Homeless as Portland Delays Action

The Gresham Police Department is taking steps in anticipation of an influx of homeless campers as a result of efforts being taken by the City of Portland. Those efforts, which had been planned for the end of this month along the Springwater Corridor that runs through both cities, have been put off a month.

The Gresham Police Neighborhood Enforcement Team is increasing their presence along the corridor and are continuing to communicate with campers that they've worked on building relationships with over the past two years.

Officer Dan Estes from NET says: "it's not about eradication, it's about limiting the number of campers grouped together."

Officers assigned to patrol the Springwater Corridor will handout resource fliers and continue to maintain the relationship they've worked so hard to build.

In March, 2016, the City of Gresham and the police department created extra patrols with uniformed officers working in pairs, to add security along the Springwater Corridor. Bike patrols began at the end of the school year which are staffed with the Schools Resource Officers out on summer break from their normal assignments. This added four additional officers assigned to work the Springwater Corridor, city parks and the downtown core area. The city has also hired 2 park rangers who are assigned to patrol the Springwater Corridor as well as the city parks 7 days a week.

The City of Gresham contracts with Central City Concern who works with officers to clean up campsites.

"Local campers are always respectful and adhere to our requests when they're asked to vacate the property for cleanup," Estes said. "We want to continue this relationship because the way we are currently doing things is working for both sides."

Officers continually contact and partner with local business owners who are experiencing trespassing issues, so that the camping doesn't affect their businesses or livelihood.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday Portland Mayor Charlie Hales announced the city was delaying cleaning up the corridor for one month - until September 1st.

A spokesman for the mayor said the delay is in response to social service provider, advocate and disabled individuals's requests for more time to relocate.

"I said before that we resisted moving campers from the area because we don’t yet have good options for all the people living there," Hales said. "That continues to be true. Recognizing that, I want to ensure this cleanup was is humane and compassionate as possible.

"Adjusting to social service providers’ requests is part of that."