Successful Practices & Strategies Vol. 1 | No. 5

Gresham Police Department

Gresham, Oregon 

https://greshamoregon.gov/Police-Department/

Community policing element

Community partnerships

Problem/issue

Quality of life

Problem description

Gangs have a stronghold in low-income apartment complexes. Quality of life in these complexes is 

diminishing because of high crime rates, gang activity, and poor management.

Community policing strategies implemented

Two years ago, in an effort to respond to this problem, the Gresham Police Department’s (GPD) Special 

Enforcement Team (SET) began reaching out to property owners in an effort to establish a coalition. This 

collaborative effort between police and owners began to pay off. 

One example of this effort was the Barberry Village apartment complex. The property manager reported 

that UPS refused to come onto the property, and the garbage haulers came in looking over their 

shoulders. The complex was a hotspot for prostitution and drug deals. Homicides were committed just 

outside the gates. Four police cars were required to respond to even routine calls. 

The members of SET contacted the property owners, who lived in another state, and opened a dialog 

over the issues that plagued the complex. The property owner moved from a tenant-manager style of 

management to working with a property management firm.

In October 2013, as an addition to the forum, the police chief invited all rental property managers and 

owners in the City of Gresham to a free, one-day Landlord Training seminar to learn how landlords and 

property managers can keep illegal activity out of their units. This program was one of many efforts to 

stop illegal drug, gang, and other criminal activity threatening the health, safety, and welfare of the 

GPD’s residential neighborhoods.

SET has also been working with landlords to create a mentorship program that partners successful 

apartment managers with those who are struggling to clean up their complexes. The successful 

managers have been able to coach the less effective managers on pre-rental screening criteria and 

tenant interview techniques, which help prevent problems before they move in.
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Change and/or impact as a result of these community policing efforts

As a result of this partnership, problem tenants have been evicted, landscaping and lighting were 

installed, and families are now letting their children play outside. The complex is now fully rented for the 

first time. The success of the partnership between SET, the property owner, and the property 

management company quickly spread to other complex owners and managers. Now management 

companies are contacting the police when these companies take over a problem building, looking for 

guidance and assistance.

The opinions contained herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the 

U.S. Department of Justice. References to specific agencies, companies, products, or services should not be considered an 

endorsement by the author(s) or the U.S. Department of Justice. Rather, the references are illustrations to supplement 

discussion of the issues. 

The Internet references cited in this document were valid as of the date of publication. Given that URLs and websites are in 

constant flux, neither the author(s) nor the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services can vouch for their current validity. 

Published 2014