Gang activity is a concern of law enforcement in Eugene and Springfield. Community members can attend a forum Wednesday to get more information on the issue.
The forum is part of a new program in response to concerns and phone calls from residents. Captain Sherri Meisel with the Eugene Police Department says they’ll present photos and tips for people on things like graffiti:
Meisel: “Being able to tell whether it’s a gang-related graffiti or just artist tagging, and then if you see something how you can get that information to the police department—what do we need before somebody paints over it?”
Meisel hopes the meeting will be a dialog, with lots of questions from the public.
Gang activity is also the focus of a recent grant from the Oregon Department of Education to Lane ESD. Nearly $100,000 will fund a program to mentor middle school students who may be in danger of joining a gang.
The forum takes place Wednesday, April 8, from 6-9 p.m. at St. Mark Catholic Church: 1760 Echo Hollow road.