Prisoner Elbow Grease Scrubs Out Gresham Graffiti

Inmate Work Crews visited and scrubbed clean approximately 70 sites in the SW Gresham area today.

Inmates making Gresham a better place Photo courtesy: Multnomah Sheriff

(GRESHAM, Ore.) - Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Inmate Work Crews resumed removing graffiti from public property on Powell between 182nd to 174th Avenues and on Division from 174th to 182nd.

The program, which began yesterday, was initiated after Multnomah County Sheriff Bernie Giusto approached Gresham city officials with an offer to provide MCSO Inmate Work Crews at no cost.

The work of the Inverness Jail Inmate Work Crews, under the direction of MCSO Sergeant Tina Breiten and Captain Raimond Adgers, has been incorporated into a larger citywide Gresham anti-graffiti effort being coordinated by city emergency management coordinator Kathy Harrington.

MCSO Public Information Officer, Lt. Jason Gates, says they are doing more than graffiti abatement.

"Before inmates remove graffiti, MCSO correction officers photograph it to pass on to Gresham Police and prosecutors for street gang investigation and criminal mischief prosecution."

Gates says the program got off to a great start yesterday with work crews tackling numerous power poles, bus signs, sound barriers, control boxes and numerous other identified areas along 181st and 182nd.

"During the day a number of citizens stopped to talk with MCSO Deputies thanking them for their efforts and asking how they could get involved."

Gates says they were directed to Kathy Harrington to find out about the volunteer program. If you are interested in getting involved can contact the city of Gresham or visit their Website: ci.gresham.or.us