By Dean Rhodes
Smoke Signals editor

The Dec. 1 death of a 21-year-old Grand Ronde resident in Keizer in what prosecutors called “a drug deal gone bad” is prompting Grand Ronde Tribal Council members and Tribal administration to continue their focus on gang culture in the area.
Tribal member and Executive Officer Chris Leno encouraged Tribal managers on Dec. 16 to follow the February 2008 Personal Appearance and Behavioral Policy.
In addition, a Gang Awareness presentation is scheduled for the Jan. 10 General Council meeting in the Grand Ronde Community Center.
The Personal Appearance and Behavioral Policy calls for a statement to be included for all advertising of Tribal community events: “Thank you respecting Grand Ronde’s Tribal community and our culture by not displaying gang affiliation or by bringing drugs, alcohol or weapons to this event.”
The policy also encourages those putting on community events to look for multiple indicators – throwing hand signs, shouting a gang name, wearing a gang rag, etc. -- that individual attendees are possible gang members.
“Look for multiple indicators of gang representing before approaching the person,” the policy states. “When in doubt, seek a second opinion and don’t hesitate to err on the side of giving the person the benefit of the doubt that they are not representing gang affiliation.”
The policy suggests event organizers “pick their battles wisely,” avoid confrontation and not escalate a negative contact.
“If a person simply refuses to comply, walk away from the situation. However, if a person’s behavior rises to the level of being disruptive or illegal, recognize when to call security or law enforcement.”
Tribal member and Director of Operations John Mercier suggested that Tribal community event organizers document suspected gang behavior and report it to their supervisor if they do not feel comfortable approaching someone at an event.
Focusing on possible gang behavior in Grand Ronde comes in the wake of Travis Calvin Clawson’s death in Keizer. Dustin Michael Freeman, 22, of Medford, and Miguel Aispuro, 18, were arrested in connection with the shooting.
Clawson’s last known address was in Grand Ronde Tribal housing, according to the Oregon Judicial Information Network.
Tribal Council member Wink Soderberg told Tribal managers that he has been aware that gangs are operating in Grand Ronde for the last two years. Soderberg is a member of the local Community Action Team, which addresses issues, such as gang activity, facing the Grand Ronde area.
“A sense of urgency is here,” Tribal Council member Toby McClary said. “You will get buy-in from here on out.”
Tribal Social Services Department Manager David Fullerton said the fatal Keizer incident raised the potential for violence in Grand Ronde and Salem between rival gang members.
“It’s about the behavior they bring to a community that we’re concerned with,” Fullerton said. “It’s not about the individual.”
Leno said that signs of gang activity in Grand Ronde have occasionally been visible, such as recent tagging of signs and road construction equipment on Grand Ronde Road.
He encouraged Tribal community event organizers to concentrate on refocusing youth behavior away from gang activity so that the Tribe does not exclude anyone from events.
“Express appreciation for compliance,” the Tribe’s policy states. “Always find an opportunity to express your appreciation to those who comply with the policy.”
Tribal member and Education Division Manager April Campbell said she was worried that the Tribe would lose people if the Tribe, as a whole, doesn’t stand up and say that gang activity is not acceptable.
“This is very important,” Leno said. “From now on, it will be a very important issue to keep in the forefront.”
“You have support from Tribal Council,” McClary said when asked by Tribal member and Public Works Department Manager Lewis Younger if Tribal Council will support Tribal security personnel if they have to evict someone from an event for gang behavior. “My answer is yes.”
Soderberg said he would like to see the Tribe break the generational connection for young Tribal members growing up in a gang environment by starting a Boys & Girls Club in Grand Ronde.
Tribal Council Vice Chair Reyn Leno said that the Tribe should reach out and talk to suspected gang members.
“We need to tell them that we are not going to tolerate it here,” Reyn Leno said. “But just because someone wears red doesn’t mean they are bad people.”
He added that the Tribe needs to create and post effective anti-gang posters on the Tribal campus and throughout the community, including in the schools.
Fullerton added the Tribe is not trying to create a fashion police or harass community members who wear red, but instead wants to stifle violent and destructive behaviors often associated with gang activity.
Tribal Council was briefed about local gang issues at its Dec. 22 meeting and an all-staff training is scheduled on the subject for early February.