Tag: Harrison Park

Community

Summer Fires Potentially Linked to Mt Tabor Arson

Three individuals suspected of committing arson in Mt. Tabor park last summer face charges related to fires started in Montavilla. Sophie Peel’s Willamette Week article outlines a series of offenses revealed by the Multnomah County grand jury indictment of the accused. In some cases, these incidents caused significant damage and loss of property.

Together, the three 18-year-olds face 14 charges, including three counts of arson in the first degree, six counts of arson in the second degree, four counts of reckless burning, and one count of unlawful possession of a destructive device. However, the sole Montavilla resident in the group of defendants received the brunt of the blame. He stands accused of all 14 charges, while his purported accomplices face only two counts.

Shed fire at Harrison Park August 10th, 2022

An infographic in the Willamette Week article lists ten incidents, with seven in Montavilla. It includes a Creative Science School mattress and vegetation fire, a box truck fire at SE Hawthorne and SE 85th Avenue, a dumpster fire near 8827 SE Division Street, and a fire next to 8316 SE Taylor Street. Also among the more severe damage listed is a shed fire inside Harrison Park and an abandoned structure fire at 2336 SE 92nd Avenue. The article did not include the portable toilet fire at Harrison Park, as it appears not to be part of the indictment. However, some area residents believe the fire is related, having occurred around the same time as the shed fire.

Accessory structure fire at 2336 SE 92nd Avenue

According to a September 12th, 2022, statement by Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt’s office, the accused individuals “each admitted to involvement in starting the fires” at Mt. Tabor Park during a Portland Police interview. These recent charges include only one criminal event from the initial questioning, with the majority of arson charges occurring in Montavilla. After the investigative focus on the three suspects, the number of malicious fires in the neighborhood dropped substantially, and residential angst about this issue subsided. This indictment should provide closure to several concerning incidents from last year.

Portable toilet fire at Harrison Park Summer, 2022

By

Jacob Loeb

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Community, Event

Jade District Arts and Resources Fair Saturday

The Jade District and APANO will host a special event from noon to 4 p.m. at Harrison Park on Saturday, October 1, 2022. The event, titled Heal, Unite, Gather: A Jade District Community Art and Resource Fair, is part of the group’s Resilience Series that grew out of the pandemic response. This inclusive event will provide a mix of information, support materials, and artistic expression. Event planners will provide Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Somali, and Spanish interpretation services during the four-hour gathering.

The fair at 1931 SE 84th Avenue is free to attend, although the organizers have created an online registration page to calculate demand for the event. Family-friendly activities include healing arts, refreshments, music, food boxes, raffle prizes, and a COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic. People are encouraged to stop by and check out the offerings as even more activities are planned.

Support for the event comes from a Portland Bureau of Transportation’s (PBOT) Vibrant Spaces Grant and the City of Portland’s City Arts Program and the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC). Additional support comes from The East Portland Action Plan (EPAP) and other event partners.

Booths and Activities Include:

  • OHSU Vaccine Clinic
  •  Friends of Noise Open Mic & Youth DJs
  •  OHA Food Boxes
  •  Face Painting
  •  Paint a Pot & Succulent Planting
  •  Tea Sharing and Appreciation with Artist Qi You
  •  Raffle
  •  Renter’s Rights Information from CAT
  •  PPE from East County Community Health
  •  Career and Education Classes through the PCC Opportunity Center
  •  Community Services from AYCO
  •  Resources from the Mental Health Coalition

By

Jacob Loeb

Cover image design by Marin Jurgens, courtesy of APANO 

Promotion: Montavilla News has a Patreon account. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to please consider becoming a paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Community, Event

Hundreds Gather at Harrison Park to End Asian Hate

UPDATE – The event completed with an estimated one thousand participants. The Oregonian offers details from the March 26th gathering.

Hundreds of Portlanders have gathered at Harrison Park to speak out against violence targeting Asian people and Asian-owned businesses. Crowds began arriving before 4 PM and continue to flood the streets surrounding the public park located at 1931 SE 84th Ave. Notices for the gathering indicate Portland’s Asian community are the organizers of the event.

Local roads and street-side parking are nearing capacity. People wishing to join the even should prepare for a moderate walk to the park from where they leave their vehicle. The event will continue into the evening hours.

Crowds gathering