FBI data shows a decrease in violent crime, Portland data also shows a decrease

PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — The The FBI is on the way with new data shows a significant decline in violent crime nationally.

The FBI obtained the data from police departments in most parts of the United States

Last year saw the biggest drop in murders in decades, a staggering 11%.

In the first six months of 2024, murders fell 22.7% compared to the same period last year.

“We have data going back to 1960. We have now seen the largest decline in murders ever reported,” Jeff Asher, co-founder of AH Datalytics, told ABC News.

January to June 2023 and 2024 indicate that reported violent crimes decreased by 10.3%. Murders fell by 22.7%, rapes by 17.7%, robberies by 13.6% and aggravated assault by 8.1%. Reported property crimes also fell by 13.1%.

Crime was a hot topic in the presidential campaign.

“Another trigger for the gun violence epidemic that primarily affects our children. It doesn’t make as many headlines, but it is the terrible gun violence in our big cities,” Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance said during the only vice presidential debate.

His vice presidential candidate Donald Trump said: “Crime is down all over the world, except here. Crime is up and through the roof here,” he said during the ABC News presidential debate in September.

However, according to FBI data from 1985, Portland’s deadliest and crime-ridden months did not occur during the Biden administration.

Violent crime:

• August 1995 = 1,446
• August 1994 = 1,418
• August 1988 = 1,414

Murders:

• July 2020 = 15
• May 1992 = 12
• July 2023 = 13

Rape:

• November 2017 = 86
• January 2018 = 85
• July 2018 = 82
• July 2022 = 92
• May 2017 = 79

Serious bodily harm:

Data from the Portland Police Department’s online dashboard shows a drop in crime. Between January and August last year there were almost 6,900 crimes against a person.

During the same period this year, preliminary data shows there were around 6,500 reports, with property crimes seeing the biggest decline, with around 5,000 fewer reports.

“I think what it means is that some of the strategies that the city has taken and the strategies that the police bureau has taken are working,” said Portland Police Bureau spokesman Sgt. Kevin Allen.

He said some of those efforts include fighting crime, but also addressing fear of crime, such as when people feel unsafe when they see graffiti.

“If we target the worst offenders in particular, the chronic graffiti offenders, we know that sends a message to our community,” Allen said, but added that there is still work to be done. “We do not declare victory; We don’t have a parade. We’re just saying that we’re going in the right direction and we want to continue on that path.”