Did You Know...

02-01-07 I hope everyone has been enjoying the sunny weather and more moderate temperatures. Please remember the improved weather means an increase in bicyclists and motorcyclists on the roadways. I counted around 30-40 motorcyclists driving down Hwy 47 on Sunday. Remember to drive more cautious as the weather can be deceiving as there are still areas of black ice, frost, and heavy gravel on the road surface. Thank you to everyone who came out last Monday (January 22nd) the Drug-Free Community Coalition Meeting at the Scout Cabin. A member of the East-Metro Gang Task Force gave a great presentation on the European Kindred (EK). The EK is a white supremacy prison gang that has now moved some activities out into society. EK has some very violent members as well as being involved in many other criminal activities. EK has some members in Columbia County and even the Vernonia area. Watch for more great presentations coming to future coalition meetings. Besides learning about the EK this past Monday, I also learned about Vernonia's version of a "Fight Club" after being dispatched on a fight in progress call at the Equestrian Arena. Upon our arrival we found 15-20 people standing and sitting around by the covered area. It was determined that there had been a "fight" going on prior to our arrival and that the gathering was Vernonia's version of a "Fight Club". Fight Club was the 1999 movie starring Brad Pitt & Edward Norton who created a global organization to vent male aggression. I have been told that Vernonia's version of the Fight Club is similar in that there are established rules designed to keep the participants "safe", at least as safe a you can be while fist-fighting. During our contact with the group I had a healthy discussion with a young man who was questioning why they could not publicly fight in this manner. According to Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 163.160 "Assault IV" is committed when a person "Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes physical injury to another…" Even if the fighters are consenting adults who engage in mutual combat, the fight could constitute an Assault IV. If this crime is committed in the presence of an officer, we will definitely take some kind of action. The young man felt what they were doing was not illegal and was essentially safe. I had to disagree with the young man having seen numerous serious injuries resulting from simple fights, especially resulting from subjects receiving a blow to the head. Unfortunately I have also seen fatalities resulting from one punch or relatively minor incidents. The young man asked me if I was against the concept personally and I told him I was. Unless the fighting is a sanctioned event with trained medical personnel on-site I can not agree with individuals assaulting each other under these circumstances. I have been told that the Vernonia version of "Fight Club" is going to continue to occur. I was even told that the people involved are doing this because they are "bored". I would hate to see someone lose their life or get seriously injured because they were "bored".