*Amend Intergovernmental Agreement with Portland State University to fund the study of Portland Police Bureau’s efforts to reduce crime in the Parkrose and Hollywood Neighborhoods under the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance Innovations in Community-Based Crime Reduction Grant Program (amend Agreement No. 30006889)
The City of Portland ordains:
Section 1. The Council finds:
- On December 12, 2018, Council authorized acceptance of a $779,565 Innovations in Community-Based Crime Reduction grant award from the Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to help fund the study of the Portland Police Bureau’s (PPB) efforts to reduce crime in the Parkrose and Hollywood Neighborhoods through its Neighborhood Involvement Locations Project;
- PPB has used the research services of Portland State University (PSU) to perform services related to the DOJ OJP BJA 2018 Innovations in Community-Based Crime Reduction Program grant award program;
- PPB and PSU see the value in extending their relationship in order to facilitate the goal of reducing crime in these neighborhoods; and
- The Council declares that an emergency exists due to critical dates in the project timeline as required by the grant.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:
- That the Mayor is authorized to amend the Agreement between the City and Portland State University as outlined in a form similar to the amendment attached as Exhibit A.
- The Chief of Police and the Project Manager are authorized to execute amendments to the scope of services or the terms and conditions of this Agreement, provided the changes do not increase the amount of compensation or increase the City’s financial risk.
Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists because delay in funding would interrupt Portland State University’s ability to provide research services for the Police Bureau’s Neighborhood Involvement Locations Project; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.
Official Record (Efiles)
An ordinance when passed by the Council shall be signed by the Auditor. It shall be carefully filed and preserved in the custody of the Auditor (City Charter Chapter 2 Article 1 Section 2-122)
Passed by Council
Auditor of the City of Portland
Mary Hull Caballero
Impact Statement
Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information
This grant has been providing funding to the Police Bureau to support community-based, comprehensive crime reduction strategies in the Parkrose and Hollywood neighborhoods since 2018.
The project team at North Precinct and PSU incorporated the use of social media to broadcast crime reduction/community building efforts more broadly and increased avenues for two-way communication. To address the shortcomings of previous no-contact approach, PPB incorporated a wide-range of community partners to help build community capacity to address crime; this included PSU as a research partner in the development of a comprehensive strategy.
The program seeks to build public confidence and trust in police and the perceived legitimacy of the criminal justice system.
- Focused: Target streets, properties, or public spaces that have struggled with crime for years.
- Data-Driven: Partner with PSU to analyze problems, implement evidence-based solutions, and monitor progress.
- Community-Oriented: Active role for residents in selecting/determining the problems, developing strategies, and working to create a safe environment.
Police officers and Public Safety Support Specialists (PS3s) work together with the neighborhood members to prioritize non-investigative interactions to increase perceived safety and visually deter crime. There are also foot patrols along NE Sandy Blvd. where there is a high density of hotels/motels. Officers and PS3 contact crime victims via phone and/or email one week after a online report is filed. Communication scripts are based on procedural justice practices. They also share crime prevention tips. There were 658 contacts as of 10/25/21.
Grant funds also support neighborhood clean-ups by community members.
PPB would like to continue its research partnership with PSU, in order to keep the research methodology, practices, and maintenance consistent with past practices. A final evaluation will be presented to the Bureau of Justice Assistance CBCR program management as a requirement for PSU’s final deliverable.
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
This legislation will not impact the Police Bureau’s Grant Fund appropriation; it only allows for the continued use of the Agreement.
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
This grant requires a strategic partnership with Historic Parkrose and Hollywood Neighborhoods, as well as a community research partner through Portland State University. The collaboration required of the grant is inclusive of community representatives serving on a committee, who will continue to help coordinate the collaboration's work.
Agenda Items
479 Regular Agenda in June 1-2, 2022 Council Agenda
Passed
- Commissioner Dan Ryan Absent
- Former Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty Yea
- Commissioner Mingus Mapps Yea
- Commissioner Carmen Rubio Yea
- Mayor Ted Wheeler Yea