Portland Gang Wars 'Crisis' - Police

Oregon - North Portland gangs it seems have begun a war on each other. Police and crisis workers have been called out to shootings in the city almost every day in a worrying escalation in violence in the area. Oregon Live News are reporting.

The upturn in shootings is being blamed on a shooting at a North Portland church on December 12th 2008. Where Darshawn Cross, 31, collapsed from multiple gunshots during a funeral at the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Gang enforcement officers saw an increase in shootings during 2008, but it has been over the past month, they say, that the violence has risen to a boiling point. As 11 shootings are being investigated over the last few weeks.

Lt. Mike Leloff of Portland's gang enforcement unit said. "We have a crisis,"

"I'm surprised there hasn't been greater city and community outrage about the three gang homicides in less than a month." Said Portland Police Cmdr. Dave Benson. He went on to say, "In '88, the wheels would have come off this city. Today, it's just like 'Oh well, three more dead men.'"

The tensions and shooting are being attributed to the Bloods and Crips. Which after the church shooting led to the New Year's Eve shootings of two 18-year-old men at a Gresham (nr Portland) apartment complex. In which both men where killed.

Even gang members from both sides have been shocked by the sinister turn between the warring sides.

According to Michael Johnson gang members are turning to him saying they are scared. Mighael Johnson who is a former Columbia Villa Crip, and a devoted single father of five, (He lived through many of the 80's and 90's shootings in Portland.) also said. "I have actual gang members saying 'This is bad out here! It doesn't take money to get out there right now and talk to the shooters. They're sitting in clubs and talking about who they're going to shoot next.'"

Speaking at the funeral of Darius Perry, one of the 18-year old men killed on New Year's Eve. "Another senseless murder. ... You're so angry at one another, and for what? For this? For this?" asked Rev. Frederick Woods, when speaking to a crowd of around 300 mourners.

Friends, relatives and pastors all expressed there concern and sadness at the death of Darius, and the shootings. They begged the young people in the crowd to stop the violence and become friends. Asking the gangs to resolve their differences with words, not weapons.

In a routine move, teams of gang enforcement officers and outreach workers surrounded the church outside. This was in the event emotions spilled over, or any more violence from rivals, who may have tried to disrupt the funeral.

Sources: Oregon Live, My own as local correspondent.