Last night, twenty people from the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood met for a Neighborhood Watch (NW) meeting led by Mark Wells, City of Portland Crime Prevention Crime Prevention Coordinator. They were motivated to form a Watch after experiencing an increase in drug activity and larceny in their area. Even though these issues are the reason they came together, residents were happy to meet and reconnect with new neighbors and ones who lived on the block for over 30 years. The organizer created an impressive block map so that neighbors could easily add their contact information. Connection, communication and crime prevention are the foundation of Neighborhood Watches.

If you live in Portland and are interested in our Neighborhood Watch Program, visit us at www.portlandoregon.gov/oni/neighborhoodwatch