As we hit the half-way mark for the year, there already have been some 60 shootings or other "gang-related violence" - up 33% this year. The latest, in which three people were shot last Thursday was performed by a 16 year-old punk who claimed that one of the people he shot was "eyeing" him. Apparently that's punkspeak for "looking at him".
He didn't get far, and is now cooling his heels while looking at attempted murder and assorted other charges. It seems likely that charges relating to his illegal possession of the weapon will also be added to the list. Naturally, he wasn't from the northeast Portland neighborhood that he decided to shoot up.
And yet there are sure to be howls of protest from the usual suspects because the police are going to be getting a little more involved over there on the east side:
"Right now, this summer, tonight, we need to make sure they're being watched carefully, and that it's OK for police officers to stop and question people in the street," Hales said. "And everyone needs to understand that that's part of them doing their job. It's not about profiling. It's about doing our job."
It's a safe bet that the 22 year old "rapper" from the Pants Up! Don't Loot! crowd is going to be out in the streets with his buddies over this - depending on how his court appearance goes.