TriMet, not Gresham, must clean up mess

By Jack Hanna

, Dec 4, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (6 Reader comments)

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I read with more than a casual interest your Dec. 1 article regarding the summit meeting between the city of Gresham officials and members of TriMet.

It seems that Mayor Shane T. Bemis voiced serious concern about the safety of light-rail passengers, and even more so the safety of Gresham citizens who ride the trains for whatever reason. Ironic that shortly after that meeting another citizen was assaulted on a light-rail platform in Gresham. This assault made it very clear that the summit meeting was needed.

As a member of the mayor’s committee to study solutions to providing more public safety to the citizens of Gresham, I find this situation with TriMet/light rail to be quite the political quagmire.

It is obvious that the light-rail system has brought violence and crime to Gresham in the past few years. Many serious assaults of riders and those present on the platforms have been reported. These are serious facts that cannot be ignored. The other serious concern is the fact that the city of Gresham has stepped up to solve the crime and violence on the trains and platforms. I find this solution somewhat troubling.

The committee met for months to discuss ways to provide more safety to the citizens of Gresham. This enhanced safety will of course come with a price. I want it to be clear that I do not speak for the committee or any of the other members. I attempt only to shine a light on the situation that I do not believe has been bright enough to date.

The City Council is about to present a levy to the voters of Gresham to enhance the police presence to combat crime within the city. This levy will add to the property tax of the citizens of Gresham for the additional protection. I am confident they will assume that all of those additional police officers will be patrolling their neighborhoods and making the city a safer place to live and do business.

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