Couple Fights Back Against Encroaching Criminal Activity

Nearly 30 years ago, Tom and June King moved to Millwood to escape Portland’s growing crime problem.

These days, the Kings, both 66, are among a group of volunteers fighting to prevent burglaries, thefts and violent crimes from becoming prevalent in their West Valley neighborhoods.

In the past few years, the Kings found that crime was once again happening a little too close to home.

A vicious rape a few years ago, and a drive-by shooting at Buckeye Avenue and Argonne Road a year and a half ago shocked residents of their neighborhood.

A doctor who lives a few houses away from the Kings’ duplex has been targeted three times by burglars. A nearby home owned by a railroad worker has also been burglarized recently.

And, yes, the Kings themselves have been victimized. Thieves hopped an eight-foot fence that surrounds their back yard and took Tom’s sander off the back porch.

“We’ve been ripped off like everybody else,” Tom said.

After several years as a Block Watch captain, June started attending SCOPE West Valley meetings when the sheriff’s community oriented policing group formed in March 1995. She agreed to co-chair the group the first year, and eventually was elected vice-president.

One of her first recruits was Tom.

“He couldn’t fight it so he had to join me,” June said. “He thought if I was going to be gone all the time he might as well be too.”

Last year, each volunteered 60-plus hours a month at SCOPE West Valley. They were recently recognized as two of three people who have logged more than 1,000 volunteer hours during their nearly two years with SCOPE West Valley.

Jeanne Christilaw, SCOPE West Valley’s secretary, was named the group’s volunteer of the year, and recognized for logging more than 1,000 volunteer hours since the group was organized. Madelyn Penney and Heinz Theimann were recognized for contributing more than 500 volunteer hours.

Tom King spends most of his volunteer time dusting for fingerprints left behind on cars that have been broken into, photographing graffiti painted on buildings and patrolling neighborhoods with a volunteer partner. He also helps organize the group’s yearly summer parade.

June prefers working around the SCOPE West Valley office at 9411 E. Trent. But she also helps her husband document graffiti and keeps an eye on children getting on buses at neighborhood schools.

Both also spend a fair amount of time recruiting volunteers, distributing packets to area churches and fliers to homes around the western Valley.

“We can use people anytime of the day,” said Tom, who recently was elected SCOPE West Valley president. “They steal just as much during the day.”

As great-grandparents, both are realistic and know they will not apprehend any dangerous criminals.

Instead, they hope to help their neighbors watch out for each other.

Both remember the days when everyone on the block knew each other.

“It’s not that way anymore,” Tom said. “Neighbors don’t know neighbors.”

Added June, “I’m not an Annie Oakley or anything. I don’t want to tote a gun.”

Sheriff’s Department rules prevent volunteers from carrying a weapon of any kind.

That’s not the point anyway, Tom says. Sheriff’s deputies get paid to apprehend criminals. The volunteers are there to lend them a hand.

With that in mind, their goals are modest.

“I’d like to think I left this world with something better for my community,” June said. “The little kids that are growing up, they’ve got a rough shuffle.”

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This sidebar appeared with the story: GETTING INVOLVED SCOPE West Valley meets the fourth Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. in the Millwood Town Hall, 9103 E. Frederick. The meetings are open to the public, and SCOPE training is available for new volunteers.