FBI report shows crime rates across Oregon at fifty year low
May 24th, 2010
Release of 2009 data shows that property and violent crime have both decreased
SALEM – On the same day as national data showed violent crime numbers had dropped for the third year in a row, members of the Interim Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony this afternoon that crime rates in Oregon had also dropped. A presentation on the FBI Preliminary Uniform Crime Report from 2009 indicated that both property and violent crimes are down across the state.
“The presentation we heard this afternoon indicates that crime numbers in Oregon are at their lowest point since the 1960s,” said Senator Floyd Prozanski (D- South Lane & North Douglas Counties), chair of the Interim Senate Judiciary Committee. “This news confirms that our approach to fighting crime and keeping our communities safe is working.”
The presentation by the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission noted that violent crime was down in Oregon’s largest cities, bucking national trends.
“Increased community policing, strengthening laws on the sale of materials used to manufacture meth, and the promotion of evidence-based practices have all contributed to the lowest crime rates Oregon has seen in a generation,” said Senator Suzanne Bonamici (D-Washington County/Portland).
Senate Democrats have made cracking down on meth-related crime a key piece of their legislative agenda in recent sessions. Today’s report indicated that seizures of meth labs have declined dramatically since 2004, a contrast to rising rates across the nation.
Tags: 
