Michael D. Schrunk established the Neighborhood DA Unit in November of 1990. This innovative program is designed to assist communities in solving local crime problems. Similar to traditional "community prosecution" programs, which emphasize a closer working relationship among prosecutors, police and the community, the Neighborhood DA Unit uses the tools of the criminal justice system to demonstrate how the rule of law can help neighborhoods become safer.

The NDA Unit has helped reduce problems of drug sales, thefts from cars, illegal camping, and other quality of life offenses in local communities. With financial support from Multnomah County, the City of Portland, federal grants, local business groups and Tri-Met, the program covers all neighborhoods in the county and the public transit system. In 2000, a tribute to the success of the program came from the U.S. Department of Justice when the Multnomah County DA's Office was selected as one of two National Leadership Sites for its progressive work in community prosecution..