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Police to stop designating gang members
The Portland Police Bureau announced Friday that it will stop documenting people as gang members beginning on Oct. 15.
According to the police, the existing Gang Designation Policy was implemented more than 20 years ago when gun and gang violence rates had escalated dramatically in the city. It was developed to be an investigative tool to help police decrease escalating gun violence.
But, police say, as times have changed, the bureau, in partnership with community members, have realized being labeled a "gang member" can have a negative impact on the person who may be making attempts to overcome the life challenges they face. Today, new processes and technologies allow police to investigate crimes in a manner that the community supports and that will not have the unintended consequences of potentially harming those who may need services and help the most.
When the policy is rescinded, the names of approximately 300 people who are currently designated on the list will be purged from the database. A directive regarding referrals to services for those who may be involved in gangs of violent gang related behaviors is currently being developed.
According to police, people who engage in violent crimes and those who do so on behalf of a criminal organization will continue to be a focus of bureau enforcement efforts. While enforcement and adjudication is an important component of stopping violence, providing meaningful services, community outreach, and relationship building is equally important.
The bueau says it strives to engage in each of those every single day in partnership with such partners as the Office of Youth Violence Prevention (OYVP), the Multnomah County District Attorney's office, the US Attorney's office, Multnomah County Parole and Probation, the Oregon Youth Authority and many others.








