Overall crime in Portland decreased in 2023

(JANUARY 25, 2024) For several years, there were record numbers of violence connected to guns. This ranged from shootings in general to homicides (when a person dies). But there were fewer in 2023, say Portland Police.

“Overall crime in Portland continues to go down, and significantly so in some key categories,” said Mayor Ted Wheeler. “We’re trending in the right direction.”

There were 95 homicides in 2022, but only 73 in 2023. A gun was involved in all but 12. Those numbers do not include people killed by police officers. In 2023, police shot and killed 4 people (the same as 2022). Non-fatal shootings (no one died) also dropped 16%. Overall shootings also dropped 22%.

According to the mayor, it's because of new partnerships between police and community groups. Others it's because of more money from the city for police. 

Bob Day is the chief of the Portland police. He does not want to celebrate the numbers much. “What you just heard today is a message of hopefulness,” said Day. “The reality is the challenges are still significant and so we are going to have to just keep our foot on the gas in terms of this effort.”

Day said there were more traffic deaths in 2023 than ever before. 75 people died. He said shoplifting (stealing from stores) also increased 88% since 2022.