Police Quell Riot at the GSI Community Center
10/20/2008

http://greshamoregon.gov/news/newstempl ... x?id=11900

On October 18, 2008 at 10:26 p.m., the Gresham Police Department responded to a fight involving twenty or more men at the GSI Community Center located at 1493 NE Cleveland St. The initial responding officers noted there were approximately 100 people inside the center and the fight was still in progress. Private security had been employed at the event, and the two security officers told police they could not control the crowd.

Fearing for the safety of the women and children present, three Gresham officers entered the center and attempted to stop the fight. As the officers began to separate those fighting the crowd that had been watching turned on the officers. A request for all available to respond was then issued. A total of 38 officers including the Portland Police Bureau, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Troutdale Police Department, and Fairview Police Department arrived to assist.

Gresham Officers Matthew Anderson and Lindsay Friderich noted many in the crowd were intoxicated and the center smelled of alcohol. During the riot, a large cake and decorative marbles were spilled onto the floor, which added to the chaos and made conditions additionally dangerous. A security guard hired by GSI told responding officers that he had lost his partner during the riot. He later said “it was like hell, I have never seen anything like that.â€