Getting to the Point

Justin Ellis sheds some light on the growing problem between the police and the some members of the Sudanese and Somali populations here in Portland. As I have noted before there are no easy solutions to these problems. But it would be good for the police to do more community outreach to gain the trust of members of these communities.

You can help too by volunteering at places like LearningWorks.

"Maybe it's because Okot was shot by police, who say he was carrying a gun, although friends and family disagree.

It could be because police say they were greeted by an angry mob throwing things at officers during a recent arrest in the Kennedy Park housing development.

Another factor could be news reports, complete with the video, characterizing the situation as a danger that police now routinely face from these communities.

Any way you look at it, there's a lot of static and too many whispers in the air." - PPH