The Portland Police Bureau Tactical Operation Division's Gang Enforcement Team has continued Operation Safe Winter, a partnership between multiple local and federal law enforcement partners, community groups and the Portland Mayor's Office of Youth Violence Prevention. Based on information learned through conversations with community members, the Gang Enforcement Team believed there was a likelihood of additional gun violence after two recent homicides and Operation Safe Winter was extended.
Since Thursday, February 8, 2018, officers assigned to the Gang Enforcement Team worked with officers assigned to North, East, and Central Precincts and partnering law enforcement agencies to work throughout the city and arrest people involved in gun violence.
The officers located and seized nine handguns and arrested 13 people on various charges during this five-day mission extension. Since Monday, January 22, 2018, the partnership between law enforcement, service providers and community members has led to the removal and seizure of 27 illegally possessed firearms.
"The collaboration between community and law enforcement in the preceding three weeks of Operation Safe Winter has removed multiple illegally possessed firearms and likely prevented additional gun violence in our community," said Chief Danielle Outlaw. "Operation Safe Winter has really set the standard for what is possible when community members and law enforcement come together to impact safety in our community."
Law Enforcement, public safety and community groups involved in partnership for this mission included:
* Gresham Police Department/ Multnomah County Sheriff's Office East Metro Gang Enforcement Team
* Hillsboro Police Department/ Washington County Sheriff's Office Interagency Gang Enforcement Team
* Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
* Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATTF)
* Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC)
* Multnomah County Parole and Probation
* Multnomah County Juvenile Parole and Probation
* Oregon Youth Authority
* Crisis Response Team
* Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center (POIC)
* Portland Public Schools
* Latino Network
* Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization
* Native American Youth and Family Center
Police would like to remind community members if you see a gun crime in progress, call 9-1-1.
The Portland Police Bureau works closely with Enough is Enough PDX, a community-led campaign aimed at encouraging people to take a stand against gang violence in the area. For more information about Enough is Enough PDX and how you can get involved, please visit https://www.facebook.com/EnoughIsEnoughPDX
Additional information about Enough is Enough PDX and other City efforts addressing youth violence can be found at the Office of Youth Violence Prevention, http://www.portlandonline.com/safeyouth/
Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers cash rewards for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to an arrest in any unsolved felony crime and tipsters can remain anonymous. Information about any unsolved homicide is eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,500. Information about any other unsolved felony crime is eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.
Information learned from social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter or YouTube should be shared as these tips may lead to the identification of a suspect or suspects. Links can be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
Submit an anonymous tip: by visiting the App Store and download P3 Tips to submit secure and anonymous tips; online at https://www.p3tips.com/823 or Call 503-823-HELP (4357).
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