Marion County, Or - In May 2023, the Salem Police Department (SPD) collaborated with researchers to conduct an in-depth analysis of local gun violence from 2018 to 2023. Following the release of this report, Marion County initiated its own comprehensive gun violence analysis in March 2024, focusing on county-wide dynamics from 2014 to 2023.
The Crime Report & Gun Violence Problem Analysis is a series of analytical exercises designed to inform the implementation of effective violence reduction strategies. The primary objective of this analysis was to examine the circumstances surrounding violent incidents, understand the characteristics of individuals involved, and identify the social networks most at risk for involvement in violence. Additionally, the analysis explored risk factors and criminal trajectories among youth involved in violence throughout Marion County.
Consistent with trends observed in many U.S. cities, Marion County experienced an increase in violent crime following the COVID-19 pandemic. The goals of this analysis were to explore long-term trends, assess recent surges in violence across the county, and foster enhanced cross-jurisdictional collaboration and resource sharing.
The report provides a detailed examination of Marion County’s homicide rate, property crime rate, and gun violence, with comparisons to national averages. It incorporates data from all law enforcement agencies within Marion County, offering insights into agency-specific trends. The Crime Report & Gun Violence Problem Analysis covers a range of important topics, including city-specific shooting incidents, demographics of victims and suspects, juvenile involvement, criminal justice system engagement, and detailed incident analysis.
The report concludes with a series of recommendations based on its findings, which the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is actively working to implement and strengthen. These recommendations include enhancing county partnerships and intelligence sharing, engaging high-risk individuals, expanding programs for high-risk youth, and hosting community meetings to foster dialogue and collaboration.
Sheriff Hunter stated, “Reducing violence within our community requires a collaborative approach, balancing community engagement, early intervention strategies, and pro-active enforcement. Over the last year, we have worked tirelessly to foster and strengthen relationships throughout Marion County to support open dialogue and collaborative efforts to better our community. At the same time, our deputies are doing their part to help hold people accountable, seizing 91 unlawfully possessed firearms in 2024 alone.”
The full report is available on the Marion County Sheriff’s Office website: https://www.co.marion.or.us/SO/Enforcement/Pages/default.aspx
Downloadable file: GVPA FInal.pdf
