UPDATES: Armed person barricades themselves inside Brooks home across from school

Oregon House (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Aug. 10, 2020  

The Oregon House passed a bill intended to improve interactions and outcomes between police and transgender people who’ve been victims of violence. 

THE ISSUE: There’s been a reported uptick in violence in transgender women. According to Human Rights Campaign, 2020 was the worst year for violence against transgender women in the U.S. since the advocacy group began tracking the statistics. Last year there were 44 confirmed violent deaths of transgender women and 2021 and 15 this year. The majority of the victims have been Black or Latina women. 

THE BILL: House Bill 2986

WHAT IT DOES: Directs the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training to ensure those police officers are trained in how to respond to crimes motivated by prejudice based on the perceived gender of the victim. 

WHY IT WAS PROPOSED: The bill was proposed by Rep. David Gomberg, D-Central Coast. He said in a statement that he brought the bill because of concerns brought to him by a constituent. He said he hopes it will foster better interactions between victims and law enforcement and outcomes. 

HOW THE MARION/POLK DELEGATION VOTED: 

State Rep. Brian Clem, D-Salem: Yes

State Rep. Paul Evans, D-Monmouth: Yes 

State Rep. Raquel Moore-Green, R-Salem: Yes 

State Rep. Mike Nearman, R-Independence: Excused

Sate Rep. Bill Post, R-Keizer: Yes

State Rep. Teresa Alonso León, D-Woodburn: Yes (cosponsor)

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: Heads to the Senate for consideration.

-Jake Thomas

It's budget season, and Salem-Keizer School District leaders are updating the school board this week on key spending areas before the district's budget committee begins meeting.

On Tuesday, the board will meet in a work session to hear about academic support programs to help students who have fallen behind over the past year. District administrators will detail how various state and federal programs and sources of money will pay for additional summer school and other help for students.

The board will also hear updates on district spending on social and behavioral help for students, transportation and technology.

Board members can attend the meeting in-person or virtually, but the public may only watch online because of Covid protocols.

To participate: The meeting begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 27 and will be livestreamed on YouTube at the links below, and on CC:Media channel 21. Because the meeting is a work session and no decisions will be made, the board will not take public comment.

English: https://youtu.be/eEk7rmYc_44

Spanish: https://youtu.be/LI_H6Da5Tgc

-Rachel Alexander

An armed person has barricaded themselves in a home across from Willamette Valley Christian School on April 26. (Courtesy/ Marion Polk Crime, Traffic and Severe Weather Alerts Facebook page)

UPDATE 12 p.m.: A Salem man was arrested Monday after barricading himself inside a home with multiple guns on Northeast Pueblo Road near Riverton Street in Brooks. Nearby Willamette Valley Christian School, located at 9075 Pueblo Ave. N.E., was placed under lockdown around 9 a.m.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies went to the Brooks home north of the center of the community at 6:30 a.m. to arrest Jamaal Flores, 43, on domestic violence charges.

As deputies tried to take him into custody, he fled to another part of the house where multiple weapons were located, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

Deputies backed out of the residence and helped other family members exit the home, the release said.

After multiple hours of negotiations, Flores surrendered after 11 a.m., the sheriff’s office said.

Flores was charged with third- and fourth- degree assault for alleged domestic violence. Deputies said additional charges related to Monday have not been determined.

He also had outstanding warrants for first-degree aggravated theft, third-degree theft, unauthorized departure and giving false information to police. Flores will be lodged at the Marion County Jail. 

Original post below:

The Willamette Valley Christian School has been placed into a lockdown after an armed person barricaded themselves in a Brooks home across the street.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office SWAT team is on scene in the 9000 block of Pueblo Avenue. The sheriff's office said roads into the neighborhood are closed.

This story is developing and will be updated.

-Saphara Harrell