A small crowd gathered at Dawson Park Wednesday morning to discuss their concerns and ideas for solutions to gun violence after a shooting last Friday that left over 80 bullet casings scattered across the grass where children play. It was the fourth shooting in the area just this year.
"What we know is that some people have been traumatized by the number of gunshots that they've heard," said Pastor J.W. Matt Henessee, who works at Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church. "People are traumatized because of those who have been shot here in the park."
Henessee led the meeting, while city leaders like Mayor Ted Wheeler explained their efforts to make the North Portland park safe.
"We now have the programs," said Mayor Ted Wheeler. "We have the funding; we have the community engagement. We have the ceasefire program, the problem solver meetings, and bi-weekly meetings. We have direct intervention through our Office of Violence Prevention."
Henessee clarified that this change would not come overnight.
"We are here to really talk about how we can make sustainable change starting now," he said. "We've started prayer walks in the park. We are going to keep that going."
Wheeler promised that Elliot would be one of the three neighborhoods to receive a portion of a $2 million grant through the Department of Justice for violence reduction efforts. Portland Police will also increase patrols in the area in the coming weeks. However, Black leaders said that the real work begins with building stronger trust between the Black community and officers.
"I've talked to some good officers who want to be a part of this change," said Terrence Hayes, a local activist who lost his cousin to police violence. "As a community, we just have to give them a chance to see if they rise to this challenge."
"There is a lot more to do," said James L. Posey, President of the Portland NAACP. "But we do have people in this community working in good faith to make things better."
City Commissioner Carmen Rubio said that while gun violence has been trending downward across the city, additional action is still needed.
"I have also been working with Mayor Wheeler to consider additional, prompt actions such as targeted traffic calming methods around the park; increased police presence through a community policing model that works with community on shared expectations; and further fee reductions for event activation," she said. "We have to step in and support the work that our city and community are already doing together, and ensure a safe place for all to gather."
The other two neighborhoods receiving federal funding to reduce violence are Hazelwood and Powellhurst-Gilbert.