Windshield Project

North Central Neighborhood Windshield Assessment Part II
December 2, 2012
Nursing 410A Population
Oregon Health and Science University

As a community or public health nurse it is vitally important to be in touch with the community in which one works. One of the best ways to accomplish this is through observation and assessment. For the Windshield Assessment, various aspects of the community-population, housing, public spaces, schools, community services, transportation, traffic, environment, and commerce were evaluated. In Part I, initial findings and photographs were presented. In Part II, the focus will be on specific areas of strength and opportunity. Where opportunities exist, various strategies for improvement will be presented. And in conclusion, a summary of the experience and findings will be discussed.
Introduction
Gresham is Oregon’s fourth largest city. It is easily accessed from I-84 to the north and US-26 to the south. This author's residence is within the boundaries of the North Central neighborhood (NCN). The NCN begins at the corner of 202nd Avenue and extends east on Glisan Street, south on 242nd Drive, west on Burnside Road, and ends when it rejoins with 202nd Avenue (The City of Gresham, 2012). Gresham's population in 2011 was estimated at 107,439 individuals (United States Census Bureau, 2012). According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2012), 76% of Gresham residents are white and 18.9% are Hispanic; Asians account for 4.3% and Blacks for 3.5%. Foreign born individuals comprise 16.6% of the population and 23.2% of individuals speak a language other than English. Gresham is a very average suburban city. Most people do not go out of their way to come here. When people ask where this author lives and she tells them, most are disgusted and ask "why?" Others will say they have been to Gresham to attend the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival or Highland Games or have passed through on their way to Mount Hood or Bend. Because this author has lived here for so many years, she has started to tell people she lives "just outside of Portland", to avoid the odd looks and questioning, and quickly changes the subject.
Community Strengths Although Gresham lacks a certain appeal, those living here do not seem to mind it much. Gresham has been praised for its "small town feel"; 59% of residents have lived in Gresham over ten years, 74% of residents own their home, and 77% of resident's know their neighbors by name (Campbell DeLong Resources, 2008). Here, housing is very affordable. The average listing price in the NCN is $180,244, compared to $242,998 in all of Gresham and $416,591 in all of Portland (Trulia, 2012). Homeownership benefits neighborhoods, providing economic and social capital, and homeowners are more likely to participate in the community. Homeowners are also happier and take more pride in their neighborhoods. Another benefit is the positive impact homeownership has on children. "Children of homeowners score better on academic tests, graduate at higher rates, have fewer behavioral problems, and enjoy a better social environment" (Habitat for Humanity, n.d.). Since housing prices are so attractive in the NCN, the possibility is greater that more individuals will be able to afford a home, thus improving the community's structure. The NCN is home to five parks, many of which contain sports facilities and walking paths. Parks are important built environments in communities. Parks have a positive impact on physical, mental, and social components of health (Fan, French, & Das, 2012, p. 520). Park users tend to be healthier than non-park users. Parks encourage and support physical activity because "they provide access for individuals to engage in regular physical activity at no cost" (Reed & Price, 2012, p. 1264). The convenient location of these parks throughout the neighborhood makes it easier for community members to take advantage of these benefits. Gresham is a commuter city. Many residents commute to work, 71% work outside Gresham (Campbell DeLong Resources, 2008). Mean travel time is 26.2 minutes (United States Census Bureau, 2012). Public transportation offers many an alternative to driving. The public transportation system in the area is excellent. According to TriMet, 84% of riders are "choice riders", meaning they have a car or choose not to own one and instead take TriMet (TriMet, 2012). In the NCN, numerous bus stops are visibly located throughout the area and the light rail system is not far from the boundary. Bus stops and light rail are easily accessed by foot or other means. Sidewalks and bike lanes are found on most major streets, helping to increase accessibility. Light rail parking is available for the last three stops in Gresham. Not only does public transportation make it convenient to get places but is offers a couple other added benefits. First, the use of public transportation reduces greenhouse gases and an individual's carbon footprint. It also reduces traffic congestion. Second, those who use public transportation tend to be more physically active since they are required to walk or bike to their stop and destination (Edwards, 2008; Stokes, MacDonald, & Ridgeway, 2008). Public transportation's positive benefits can be seen in both its human and environmental impacts. Those with children are often concerned about a community's education system and will go to great lengths to ensure their child attends a good school. Twenty four k-12 schools are located in Gresham, three of which are within the NCN boundary. The Oregon Department of Education (2012) rates these as satisfactory. An education is essential to functioning well in society. At its most basic, education provides the necessary skills for communication and can assist individuals in becoming critical thinkers. Well educated children and young adults are more likely to contribute positively to society and enjoy personal and economic successes in adulthood. A good education cannot and does not rely solely with the teachers and administrators, it is a family and community effort. An interesting addition to one of the schools has been the SUN Community School program. It assists in organizing community resources to create a supportive network for children and families to "ensure academic success, family self-sufficiency, and economic prosperity" (Multnomah County, 2012). The Schools Uniting Neighborhoods, or SUN, program originated in 1999, and evaluation data from 2009 to 2010 has shown that students who regularly participate in the program have gains in academics, attendance, and behavior (Multnomah County, 2012). This program is very beneficial to student's of low income, minority, and single parent families. This socioeconomic dynamic is of higher proportion in Multnomah County, which Gresham comprises, as compared to the national benchmark (County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, 2012). Programs of this nature are promising and effective in enhancing the educational experience by identifying and addressing the underlying cause of the problem. Although Multnomah County's health and socioeconomic status tend to be lower than other counties in Oregon, Gresham does provide a number of health and public services for its residents. The biggest and most notable are the Multnomah County East disability, health, and senior services department and the state employment office. Even though these services are not located within the NCN boundary, they are less than a half mile away and are easily accessed via public transportation. For individuals struggling to meet their health and employment needs having these services readily available and accessible within a community can reduce the physical and emotional strain of having to travel long distances.
Community Opportunities In Gresham, the median household income is $47,484 and 16.1% of individuals live at or below the poverty level (United States Census Bureau, 2012). In Multnomah County, 10.1% of residents are unemployed and 25% of children live in poverty (County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, 2012). Unemployment and poverty often go hand in hand. Side effects of unemployment are increased poverty, lack of health insurance, changes in mental health (stress, depression, and damaged self esteem and self worth), and an inability to plan and save for the future. In addition to unemployment and poverty, some individuals may eventually become homeless. Over the years, homelessness in the Gresham area has become increasingly visible. The homeless can be seen sleeping in the parks or vacant lots, carrying large backpacks or pushing shopping carts, and begging for money outside businesses. In 2011, combined estimates for Portland and Gresham put the total number of homeless at 4,497 (The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2011, p. 21). The increase in homeless in Gresham is attributed to exclusionary efforts in Portland, the ease of use of public transportation, and the Springwater trail. Gresham is not as densely populated as Portland, creating more open space, which is not well patrolled. One particular area of concern for residents is the Springwater trail. The trail is 21 miles long and it connects a number of communities between Portland and Boring. It is not uncommon to see homeless persons or their camps near the trail. This poses problems for safety. There have been incidences of violence and drug and alcohol abuse is prolific (Stabler, 2012). Not only do the issues of homelessness affect others in the community but those who are homeless have their own set of problems. These include reduced access to health care, limited access to education, increased risk for violence and abuse, discrimination and fear (Holtz, 2010, p. 27S). One of the primary problems with a decrease, or total lack, of financial resources is the ability to have health insurance. In Multnomah County, 19% of individuals are uninsured, which can lead to increased morbidity and mortality rates (County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, 2012). Being uninsured limits an individual's ability to receive preventative care and assistance with chronic health issues. Individuals are also more likely to forego immunizations, treatments, and medications (Institute of Medicine, 2009, pp. 63-64). Changes are taking place at this time to address healthcare coverage issues on a national level. Oregon children have access to Healthy Kids, which operates to provide insurance to children 0-19. Rates depend on age and family income but, so far, this program has reduced the rate of uninsured children by half (Oregon Health Authority, 2011). Oregon adults are not so lucky, Oregon Health Plan financial qualifications are strict, and coverage is only provided if one makes under $20,000 a year (Oregon Department of Human Services, 2012). While the state has health care programs in place for its citizens, it has still left 19% in Multnomah County without. Crime and safety in Gresham is a growing concern for residents (Campbell DeLong Resources, 2008, p. 7). The Gresham Police Department logged 653 calls in the NCN in September 2012. The NCN ranks second in number of calls within all Gresham neighborhoods (Gresham Police Department, 2012). According to information gathered from CrimeReports, between April and October of 2012, the top three crimes have been theft, assault, and property crime. Thefts were highest at grocery stores. This affects local shoppers, who are left to offset losses from theft through increased prices. Neighborhoods also suffer because stolen goods may be resold out of "neighborhood storefronts", which attract more thieves and drug addicts (Stine, 2012). Assaults were not specifically delineated, however most assault victims are women and children (Futures without Violence, 2012). These victims are likely to face long term physical and emotional consequences (National Center for Victims of Crime, n.d.). Vandalism and graffiti, common property crimes, are indicative of bigger social problems. Graffiti is visible throughout the NCN-park benches, garbage cans, fences, and buildings cannot seem to escape from it. At one park, Red Sunset, a wall on the basketball court was removed because it was tagged almost every day. A city park worker, with whom this author spoke, commented that sometimes it only takes a few hours before a freshly painted area is retagged. The city not only spends a lot of time but also about $100,000 a year removing graffiti (Hottman, 2012). Graffiti has been called a "natural extension of gang activity" (Hottman, 2012). So while vandalism is an issue, the root problem is with gangs. Gang activity has been a problem in the Gresham area since 1989. The city has attempted to combat it though community policing efforts and part time gang enforcement teams, however due to budget cuts the community policing office in one of the hardest hit areas was closed in the mid-90s and part time gang enforcement was insufficient to deal with the increasing problem. It took a double homicide in 2001 to finally bring Gresham's gang problem to national attention. In 2002, funding for a Weed and Seed program was obtained and gang enforcement went full time (Public Safety Coordinating Council, 2004, pp. 2-5). Gangs and gang activities decrease resident security and tap city resources. Unfortunately gang formation occurs more often in socially disadvantaged areas (National Gang Center, n.d.). Within the NCN, the proliferation of gangs could be attributed to the higher unemployment and poverty rates.
Discussion
The NCN may be small, but the city is big enough to meet many of its citizens' basic needs. The proximity of the NCN to surrounding cities makes it perfect for individuals who want access to a large city but do not want to live there. Housing is inexpensive, making it ideal for low income individuals or those just starting out. There are a number of free parks which provide space for exercise or a place for kids to play. Getting around in the NCN is easy, sidewalks and bike lanes exist on most streets, public transportation is fast and efficient, and traffic is low to moderate most of the time. The NCN has a high-quality education system and additional programs are available for students. Many public services exist to help socially and economically disadvantaged members of the community. Overall, the NCN, and the city, have many strengths and it continues to make great strides. Despite the many strengths of the community there are opportunities for improvement. When attempting to solve a problem it is best to look at the root, or underlying, cause. The opportunities mentioned above revolve around two central problems, poverty and gangs. Both of these impact public health and safety, which are concerning as a nurse. Problem solving requires much effort and a one size fits all approach may not be feasible or appropriate. Problem solving also requires citizen involvement and should be viewed as a community effort. A good way to begin finding solutions is to look at other communities to see what has worked and determine if they might work elsewhere. Poverty has been an ongoing issue for decades. Welfare and food stamps are given out to those who qualify but as soon as a person begins to make more money those resources disappear. Unfortunately, this does not provide many with an incentive to work harder or make more money, since they will lose their resources if they do. A new approach to solving poverty was developed in 2007 and is known as the Family Independence Initiative (FII). Instead of simply responding to individuals' needs, FII responds to individuals' strengths. FII's model is based on historic examples of how communities moved from poverty to self-sufficiency. The individuals in poverty are put in charge of finding a way to get out. It requires individuals to use their own strengths, determination, and initiative to take ownership of their life and problems and find the solution. Impoverished individuals are called to come together to work and learn from each other and share resources and ideas. This partnership has proved very effective and is reflected in the data. Participants have decreased their debt, increased their average monthly income, bought homes, started new businesses, and many now hold bank accounts. The benefits have extended to the entire family unit-children's grades and school attendance has improved and household members have obtained health insurance (Family Independence Initiative, 2009). This is an extremely innovative and promising plan. This would not be an easy plan to implement over night. It would require a group of individuals to start up the program and run it. Money would be needed to buy computers for the program participants and pay them for their work. This would probably work best if those who have worked for the program since its inception could locate and train the necessary staff. Funding would also have to be obtained through donations or grants. This could work in the NCN and surrounding community, as long as all the pieces were in place prior to implementation. Because much of the crime and safety concerns in the NCN surround gangs, it is important to develop prevention, intervention, and suppression strategies and programs. Many tools exist to help communities assess their gang problems and additional tools exist to assist in the development of various strategies and programs. According to the National Gang Network (n.d.), gangs are prolific in high-crime, socially disadvantaged neighborhoods where families, schools, and economic systems function poorly. Additionally, adult supervision is lacking and members feel they have limited options for the future, such as a good job. Several communities are attempting new approaches to gang control. In Salinas, California, a counterinsurgency approach has been used. It involves developing trust with the population and building support within the community so the residents will be the ones controlling the gang environment. Residents are also called upon to evaluate the root causes of gang development (Palta, 2011). A more formal but similar approach, is being used in Massachusetts. The troopers who created their program, the Counter Criminal Continuum, also based it on counterinsurgency strategies. This program was initiated in a small area, only eight blocks wide. Three years later, this program has been shown to decrease violent crimes, property crimes, and weapons offenses, and has since expanded to thirty blocks (Bertetto, 2012). For this approach to work, it would require integration of the nineteen articles for successful counterinsurgency, as outlined in Bertetto's (2012) article. Police and enforcement teams would have to have a good working knowledge of these principles and be able to effectively incorporate them into daily operations. This strategy would require dedication and a high level of investment from officers and city officials. Community involvement would also be necessary, because those who seek out gang membership, or wish to leave, need alternatives. Community-sponsored programs and events would provide these alternatives. Broadening the SUN program could be a good first step since its effectiveness has already been proven. While this particular method might seem too radical overall, it could definitely get the attention of gang members. It would not be difficult to initiate this methodology and with the recent stimulus grant of nearly two million dollars for Gresham police projects, there would be no lack of funding.
Conclusion
The Windshield Assessment opened this author's eyes to many different aspects of the NCN and Gresham. While Gresham has many strengths, there are also a number of opportunities. The city has been steadily improving itself, even more so than this author originally realized. City officials are obtaining stimulus funding for projects and implementing new ideas. With continued efforts, this city might eventually become a place individuals are not afraid to mention by name and would be proud to talk about.
Resources
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