After a rash of shootings across North and Northeast Portland this week, police are stepping up patrols this weekend while residents in some of the violence-stricken areas are on edge.

Since Aug. 1, police have been called out to more than a dozen shootings, and tension over that surge spilled out this morning at a meeting of the city's Gang Violence Task Force.

Frustrated police leaders are now calling for the public's help in solving crimes—many of them believed to be gang-related—that all too often send witnesses scurrying for dark corners in fear of becoming targets themselves.

Police say they're sending more officers out to problem neighborhoods while holding out for leads that may not materialize. According to the Oregonian's Maxine Bernstein, investigators believe the recent run of shootings is partly tied to Tuesday's funeral for a slain affiliate of the Rolling 60s Crips.

But one gang-prevention worker, speaking at today's meeting, John Canda, wasn't satisfied. He turned to the television cameras and wondered where Mayor Sam Adams was: "Mayor, where are you? You need to have your ass out here!"

Adams, newly in charge of the Portland Police Bureau, wasn't there. But only a few minutes ago, the mayor's team sent out a press release on five proposed initiatives to curb the flow of illegal guns into the city and crack down on those who have them, especially kids.

If you keep reading, you can read the Crime Stoppers notice the bureau sent out this afternoon.

The Portland Police Bureau, in cooperation with Crime Stoppers, is asking for your help in solving a series of suspected gang shootings in which three people have been shot.

The first shooting occurred on Tuesday August 17, at 11:21 p.m. at North Albina and Killingsworth. Multiple gunshots were heard and officers arrived to find a Tri Met bus kiosk damaged. No victims or witnesses were located by police.

The second shooting occurred on Wednesday August 18, at 12:00 a.m. in the 4500 Block of Northeast 119th Avenue. Officers arrived and located an occupied apartment that had been hit with several gunshots. Nobody was hurt in the shooting.

The third shooting occurred on Wednesday August 18, at 12:05 a.m. in the 4000 Block of Northeast 135th Avenue. Callers to 9-1-1 reported hearing multiple gunshots and officers arrived to find bullet holes into a residence. Nobody was injured as a result of the shooting.

The fourth shooting occurred on Wednesday August 18, at 12:31 a.m. at North Albina and Stafford Street. Officers arrived to find two gunshot victims. Both victims were transported to area hospitals. 25-year-old Demarcus Laray Carney of North Portland remains in critical condition. 34-year-old Karl Casey Colbert of North Portland remains in stable condition.

The fifth shooting occurred on Wednesday August 18, at 12:39 a.m. in the 1800 Block of Northeast Alberta Street. Officers did not locate any victims or property damage.

The sixth shooting occurred on Wednesday August 18, at 12:39 a.m. in the 2400 Block of Southeast 139th Avenue. Officers arrived to find an occupied residence with multiple bullet holes. Nobody inside the residence was injured in this shooting.

The seventh shooting occurred on Wednesday August 18, at 12:56 a.m. in the 12700 Block of Southeast Main Street. Officers arrived to find an occupied residence with multiple bullet holes. Nobody inside the residence was injured in this shooting.

The eighth shooting occurred on Wednesday August 18, at 3:00 p.m. in the 1600 block of Northeast Killingsworth. Officers arrived to find that a vacant building had been shot at causing property damage. No one was injured in this shooting.

The ninth shooting occurred on Friday August 20, at 1:00 a.m., in the 1500 block of North Skidmore Street. Officers responded to the area and found a crime scene near North Skidmore Street and North Maryland Avenue. After talking with witnesses, officers learned a victim and several other persons had already left the area by private car to an area hospital. 39-year-old Furnell Osbin of Southeast Portland suffered a serious but non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the face.

At this time, Portland Police Gang Detectives are investigating each of the shootings to determine if they are related. Detectives are asking for additional witnesses to come forward with any information they might have about this unusual rash of shootings.

Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to an arrest in any of these cases, or any unsolved felony crime. Callers can remain anonymous. Call Crime Stoppers at 503-823-HELP (4357), leave a tip online at www.crimestoppersoforegon.com, or text 823HELP plus your tip and send it to CRIMES (274697).