Shootings and homicides are declining in Portland, Oregon's largest city. But that doesn't change how the state ranks nationwide.
A new report shows Oregon is one of the top ten most dangerous states, based on violent crime and property crime.
In the first quarter of 2022, Portland Police say there were 483 shootings and 34 homicides.
During that same time in 2023, there were 346 shootings and 29 homicides.
From January 1 to April 30, 2024, there were 285 shootings and 25 homicides.
From January 1 to May 11th, there have been 304 shootings and 27 homicides. All but seven were due to gunfire.
In 2022 Mayor Ted Wheeler declared a gun violence emergency.
Community activist Lionel Irving thinks that's one reason for the drop. “We had that urgency,” he said.
“Everybody was in on it. That's why we were able to see a dip,” Irving added.
Bretto Jackson says here’s another reason. “A lot of those major shooters are in jail,” he said.
Jackson said jail isn't the solution to the problem, either. “We need more early intervention programs, not wait until you get into the system programs and then we can help you.”
Both men say shootings in Portland need to be treated as seriously as the fentanyl epidemic, or those numbers are not going to rapidly decline.
“Fentanyl does kill, one pill can kill,” said Jackson. “That's a fact. But a stray bullet and a shooting popping up in broad daylight is just a terrifying experience.”
“Who is doing the work?” said Irving. “Who's doing it effectively? And let's get our funds to them. Let's double down there so we can save some of these young men and women because it's a travesty.”
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