Oregon’s Most Violent Cities and Towns: New FBI Crime Data
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Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Brendan Murray, GoLocalPDX Contributor
Portland may be getting more violent. The number of murders rose 46 percent and the number of rapes increased 11 percent in the city last year. That is according to the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, which released its 2014 crime statistics yesterday, breaking down data on a state by state -- and community - basis. Nationally in 2014, the estimated number of violent crimes decreased 0.2 percent when compared with 2013 figures.
In 2014, Portland was home to 2,911 violent crimes - the most of any city or town in Oregon and more than one-third of the state's total violent crimes.
Sgt. Peter Simpson, public information officer for the Portland Police Bureau, told GoLocal that that while the number of murders and rapes in the city rose last year, there were seasons to feel safe in the city. He called the rise in homicides, in particular, a misleading figure he attributed the city’s high number of violent crimes with its large population.
“When you look at the homicide rate, it’s kind of a false positive,” Simpson said. “There was a sharp decline in homicides in 2013 after the rate had held steady for a few years, and this year the figure returned to that rate.”
There were a total of 6,790 violent crimes known to federal law enforcement last year in Oregon, of the violent crimes committed in Oregon last year, 4,105 were aggravated assaults, 1,818 were robberies, 815 sexual assaults and 52 were murders.
SEE SLIDES BELOW: See the 50 Most Violent Towns and Cities in Oregon Below
Kris Henning, Chair of the Criminology and Criminal Justice Department at Portland State University, told GoLocal that this data allows police departments to compare their statistics with similar cities around the country.
“Cities have a list of comparators that they are similar to and keep track of those statistics compared to their own,” Henning said, noting that Tuscon, Arizona and Sacramento, California are on Oregon’s list. “There’s some real value in that because it allows them to see where their levels should be. Otherwise, you just have what happened last year compared to the year before, and that doesn’t always tell you a lot.”
By the Numbers
Bill Fugate, public information officer for the Oregon State Police, said that The Oregon State Police CJIS Division tracks crimes in each city in Oregon on a monthly basis and sends that data to the FBI.
Fugate said the FBI data is distributed to each city’s police department, and the individual department decide whether changes are needed as a result of the data.
Henning said that departments also can use the data to evaluate how efficient they are at solving crimes. “There’s a clearance rate, which measures how many crimes led to at least one arrest against the total crimes committed in a city,” Henning said. “It’s not a perfect measure, but it allows departments to look at data from other cities and see if there are ways to increase their clearance rate.”
In Gresham, which witnessed 549 violent crimes in 2014, there were increases of two percent in the number aggravated assaults, 11 percent in the number of larceny-thefts, and 32 percent in motor vehicle thefts.
In Salem, there were eight percent more aggravated assaults and eight percent more larceny-thefts in 2014 than in 2013, while Vancouver saw an increase of 67 percent in murders in 2014, along with increases of six percent and three percent., in rapes and robberies, respectively.
Baker City
Baker City Struggles with Assaults
Baker City, the city with the most violent crimes per capita in the state, had a total of 61 violent crimes, with a population of just 9,762. Of those crimes, 56 were assaults, four robberies and one sexual assault.
Lt. Dustin Newman, Patrol Supervisor with the Baker City Police Department, told GoLocal he was surprised by the city’s high crime ranking, especially considering Baker City was named the safest community in Oregon by Safewise last year. He said the city’s ranking might be skewed by its relatively small size.
Newman also said that the Department keeps a close watch on assaults during their patrol and that the Department use reports such as these to help monitor problem areas in Baker City.
“Yeah we are definitely cognizant of that, it’s something we definitely look for,” Newman said of aggravated assaults. “Whenever we see a problem or a high number like that, we’d like to see it be zero, but that isn’t realistic. We try to keep our eyes open and be where we are most needed.”
Related Slideshow: Oregon’s Most Violent Cities and Towns in 2014
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#50
King City
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 1.389
Total Violent Crimes: 5
Population: 6,827
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 0
Robbery: 5
Aggravated Assaults: 0
Photo: King City Plaza, via Wikipedia Commons
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#49
North Plains
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 1.464
Total Violent Crimes: 3
Population: 2,049
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault : 2
Robbery: 0
Aggravated Assaults: 1
Photo: North Plains City Hall, via Wikimedia Commons
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#48
Cornelius
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 1.472
Total Violent Crimes: 18
Population: 12,229
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 1
Robbery: 14
Aggravated Assaults: 43
Photo: Church on South Beech St. in Cornelius, via Wikimedia Commonsl,
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#47
Tigard
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 1.489
Total Violent Crimes: 76
Population: 51,024
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 15
Robbery: 13
Aggravated Assaults: 48
Photo: North Plains City Hall, via Wikimedia Commons
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#46
Gaston
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 1.495
Total Violent Crimes: 1
Population: 669
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 1
Robbery: 0
Aggravated Assaults: 0
Photo: Downton Gaston via Wikimedia Commons
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#45
Coquille
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 11.575
Total Violent Crimes: 6
Population: 3,809
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 0
Robbery: 6
Aggravated Assaults: 0
Photo: Coquille City Hall, via Wikimedia Commonsl,
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#44
Central Point
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 1.581
Total Violent Crimes: 28
Population: 17,705
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 4
Robbery: 21
Aggravated Assaults: 3
Photo: Downtown Central Point, via Wikimedia Commons
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#43
McMinniville
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 1.618
Total Violent Crimes: 54
Population: 33,370
Murder: 1
Sexual Assault: 13
Robbery: 33
Aggravated Assaults: 37
Photo: Hotel Oregon in the Downtown Historic District
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#42
Silverton
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 1.702
Total Violent Crimes: 16
Population: 9,403
Murder: 1
Sexual Assault: 4
Robbery: 10
Aggravated Assaults: 1
Photo: Downtown Silverton, via Wikipedia Commons
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#41
Troutdale
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 1.746
Total Violent Crimes: 29
Population: 16,610
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 4
Robbery: 15
Aggravated Assaults: 10
Photo: Downtown Troutdale, via Wikipedia Commons
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#40
Keizer
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 1.748
Total Violent Crimes: 65
Population: 37,189
Murder: 1
Sexual Assault: 8
Robbery: 50
Aggravated Assaults: 6
Photo: Keizer Shopping Center, via Wikipedia Commons
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#39
Dallas
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 1.751
Total Violent Crimes: 26
Population: 14,852
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 3
Robbery: 20
Aggravated Assaults: 3
Photo: Dallas High School, via Wikipedia Commons
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#38
Hillsboro
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 1.886
Total Violent Crimes: 186
Population: 98,635
Murder: 2
Sexual Assault: 40
Robbery: 86
Aggravated Assaults: 58
Photo: Hillsboro Civic Center, via Wikipedia Commons
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#37
Talent
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 2.076
Total Violent Crimes: 12
Population: 6,262
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 1
Robbery: 11
Aggravated Assaults: 0
Photo: Talent City Hall, via Wikipedia Commons
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#36
Independence
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 2.191
Total Violent Crimes: 19
Population: 8,672
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 5
Robbery: 10
Aggravated Assaults: 4
Photo: Downtown Independence, via Wikipedia Commons
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#35
Hermiston
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 2.211
Total Violent Crimes: 38
Population: 17,183
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 6
Robbery: 20
Aggravated Assaults: 12
Photo: Downtown Hermiston, via Wikipedia Commons
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#34
Pendelton
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 2.235
Total Violent Crimes: 38
Population: 17,006
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 15
Robbery: 15
Aggravated Assaults: 8
Photo: Blue Mountain Community College in Pendelton, via Wikipedia Commons
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#33
Sutherlin
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 2.329
Total Violent Crimes: 18
Population: 7,729
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 2
Robbery: 13
Aggravated Assaults: 3
Photo: Sutherlin Bank Building, via Wikipedia Commons
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#32
Fairview
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 2.382
Total Violent Crimes: 22
Population: 9,237
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 3
Robbery: 14
Aggravated Assaults: 5
Photo: Fairview Lake, via Wikipedia Commons
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#31
Prineville
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 2.385
Total Violent Crimes: 22
Population: 9,226
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 2
Robbery: 20
Aggravated Assaults: 0
Photo: Prineville City Hall, via Wikipedia Commons
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#30
Roseburg
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 2.411
Total Violent Crimes: 53
Population: 21,986
Murder: 2
Sexual Assault: 13
Robbery: 20
Aggravated Assaults: 18
Photo: Downtown Roseburg, via Wikipedia Commons
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#29
Milwaukie
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 2.481
Total Violent Crimes: 51
Population: 20,562
Murder: 1
Sexual Assault: 2
Robbery: 39
Aggravated Assaults: 9
Photo: Milwaukie City Hall, via Wikipedia Commons
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#28
Woodburn
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 2.534
Total Violent Crimes: 62
Population: 24,471
Murder: 1
Sexual Assault: 9
Robbery: 30
Aggravated Assaults: 22
Photo: Downtown Woodburn, via Wikipedia Commons
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#27
Astoria
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 2.624
Total Violent Crimes: 62
Population: 24,471
Murder: 1
Sexual Assault: 9
Robbery: 30
Aggravated Assaults: 22
Photo: Astoria, via Wikipedia Commons
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#26
Sweet Home
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 2.643
Total Violent Crimes: 24
Population: 9,081
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 1
Robbery: 17
Aggravated Assaults: 6
Photo: The Weddle Bridge in Sweet Home, via Wikipedia Commons
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#25
Milton-Freewater
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 2.954
Total Violent Crimes: 21
Population: 7,109
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 0
Robbery: 20
Aggravated Assaults: 1
Photo: Milton-Freewater Chamber of Commerce, via Wikipedia Commons
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#24
Eagle Point
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 2.983
Total Violent Crimes: 26
Population: 8,717
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 6
Robbery: 13
Aggravated Assaults: 7
Photo: Eagle Point, via Wikipedia Commons
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#23
Tillamook
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 3.039
Total Violent Crimes: 15
Population: 4,937
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 3
Robbery: 5
Aggravated Assaults: 7
Photo: Tillamook Creamery and Museum, via Wikipedia Commons
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#22
Stayton
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 3.077
Total Violent Crimes: 24
Population: 7,798
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 4
Robbery: 19
Aggravated Assaults: 1
Photo: Lourdes School and Church in Stayton, via Wikipedia Commons
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#21
Salem
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 3.117
Total Violent Crimes: 505
Population: 162,028
Murder: 2
Sexual Assault: 44
Robbery: 356
Aggravated Assaults: 103
Photo: the Oregon State House in Salem, via Wikipedia Commons
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#20
Redmond
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 3.166
Total Violent Crimes: 88
Population: 27,733
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 15
Robbery: 49
Aggravated Assaults: 24
Photo: Downtown Redmond, via Wikipedia Commons
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#19
Boardman
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 3.220
Total Violent Crimes: 11
Population: 3,416
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 7
Robbery: 2
Aggravated Assaults: 2
Photo: Boardman Water Tower, via Wikipedia Commons
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#18
Klamath Falls
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 3.241
Total Violent Crimes: 69
Population: 21,290
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 13
Robbery: 29
Aggravated Assaults: 27
Photo: Downtown Klamath Falls, via Wikipedia Commons
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#17
Coos Bay
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 3.262
Total Violent Crimes: 52
Population: 15,939
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 9
Robbery: 33
Aggravated Assaults: 10
Photo: Coos Bay, via Wikipedia Commons
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#16
Forest Grove
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 3.341
Total Violent Crimes: 76
Population: 22,748
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 18
Robbery: 49
Aggravated Assaults: 9
Photo: Downtown Forest Grove, via Wikipedia Commons
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#15
Springfield
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 3.479
Total Violent Crimes: 210
Population: 60,377
Murder: 2
Sexual Assault: 31
Robbery: 120
Aggravated Assaults: 57
Photo: Gateway Mall in Springfield, via Wikipedia Commons
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#14
Lakeview
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 3.499
Total Violent Crimes: 8
Population: 2,286
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 0
Robbery:7
Aggravated Assaults: 1
Photo: Lakeview Welcome Sign, via Wikipedia Commons
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#13
Cannon Beach
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 3.548
Total Violent Crimes: 8
Population: 1,691
Murder: 1
Sexual Assault: 1
Robbery: 1
Aggravated Assaults: 3
Photo: Haystock Rock in Cannon Beach, via Wikipedia Commons
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#12
Gladstone
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 3.991
Total Violent Crimes: 47
Population: 11,776
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 13
Robbery: 32
Aggravated Assaults: 2
Photo: Glastone Fire and Police Station, via Wikipedia Commons
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#11
Gervais
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 4.282
Total Violent Crimes: 11
Population: 2,569
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 0
Robbery: 9
Aggravated Assaults: 2
Photo: Downtown Gervais, via Wikipedia Commons
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#10
Newport
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 4.433
Total Violent Crimes: 45
Population: 10,152
Murder: 1
Sexual Assault: 5
Robbery: 29
Aggravated Assaults: 10
Photo: Harbor in Yaquina Bay, Newport, via Wikipedia Commons
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#9
Lincoln City
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 4.585
Total Violent Crimes: 37
Population: 8,069
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 2
Robbery: 33
Aggravated Assaults: 2
Photo: Roads End Park in Lincoln City via Wikipedia Commons
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#8
Mount Angel
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 4.691
Total Violent Crimes: 16
Population: 3,411
Murder: 1
Sexual Assault: 3
Robbery: 12
Aggravated Assaults: 0
Photo: Downtown Mount Angel via Wikipedia Commons
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#7
Portland
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 4.729
Total Violent Crimes: 2,911
Population: 615,672
Murder: 26
Sexual Assault: 262
Robbery: 1,776
Aggravated Assaults: 847
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#6
Gresham
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 4.978
Total Violent Crimes: 549
Population: 110,276
Murder: 2
Sexual Assault: 47
Robbery: 285
Aggravated Assaults: 215
Photo: Gresham via Wikipedia Commons
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#5
Medford
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 5.016
Total Violent Crimes: 393
Population: 78,356
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 45
Robbery: 255
Aggravated Assaults: 93
Photo: Welcome to Medford sign via Wikipedia Commons
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#4
Toledo
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 5.192
Total Violent Crimes: 18
Population: 3,467
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 1
Robbery: 16
Aggravated Assaults: 1
Photo: Toledo City Hall via Wikipedia Commons
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#3
Vernonia
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 5.563
Total Violent Crimes: 12
Population: 2,157
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 0
Robbery: 12
Aggravated Assaults: 0
Photo: Vernonia High School via Wikipedia Commons
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#2
Ontario
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 5.897
Total Violent Crimes: 65
Population: 11,022
Murder: 2
Sexual Assault: 5
Robbery: 42
Aggravated Assaults: 16
Photo: Downtown Ontario via Wikipedia Commons
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#1
Baker City
Violent Crime Per Capita per 1,000 residents: 6.249
Total Violent Crimes: 61
Population: 9,762
Murder: 0
Sexual Assault: 1
Robbery: 56
Aggravated Assaults: 4
Photo: Downtown Baker City via Wikipedia Commons
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