Shooting in Dawson Park near preschool prompts parents and teachers to demand action

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A Shooting in Dawson Park in North Portland Two people were injured Friday afternoon. The incident happened very close to a preschool and families say they just want their children to be safe and able to use the park.

“I was putting my three-year-old in the car and putting him in his car seat when I heard gunshots in very rapid succession,” recalls mother Lisa Vickery. “I’ve never experienced anything like that before. Then there was a brief pause, and then it just kept going.”

“Usually we hear one or two, or it’s, ‘Hey, maybe that sounded like a gun,’ or ‘maybe that was fireworks,’ or ‘maybe it was a delivery truck.’ It was like a war zone,” said preschool owner Dannielle Herman. “The amount of bullets and speeding cars at a time when our youngest children – our three-year-olds – were being picked up.”

According to police, someone drove up and fired shots in the direction of Dawson Park, injuring two people.

Dawson Park is a hotspot for shootings. Last year, there were eight shootings less than a block from the park. according to PPB.

The preschool’s director told KOIN 6 News that they have to take extreme measures, including using gates and lockdown measures, and that she doesn’t let the little ones go outside when it’s really hot, which is when the shootings often start.

“My frustration really revolves around what the city is doing to ensure the safety of the entire community,” Vickery added. “The school controls its own enforcement capabilities. But ultimately it’s up to the city to really take action and make the park safe.”

“It’s unfair that parents have to make decisions and take risks. We take risks every day when we go to school, and that goes for teachers too,” said parent Abigail Smock. “So I really hope the city can continue to make sure this is a top priority.”

Parents and preschool administrators plan to meet with Mayor Ted Wheeler on Monday.