The Associated Press
SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Violent crime decreased statewide in 2001, from 20 percent in Portland to 1 percent in Salem, according to recently released FBI statistics.
Eugene saw a 5 percent drop in violent crime, but nationwide violent crime increased by .3 percent.
Nonviolent crime increased considerably in Salem, but dropped in some other Oregon cities.
In Salem, burglary and larceny increased by 11 and 12 percent, respectively. Car thefts rose 16 percent - triple the national rate of increase, the FBI said. In Portland, however, nonviolent crime decreased and in Eugene car theft dropped 11 percent and burglary fell 10 percent.
Salem officials said they were not surprised their city fared the worst in nonviolent crime increases. The city is a hub for drug activity, police said, and budget shortages have forced the jail to limit the number of inmates it can take.
Many residents have had cars and jewelry stolen, and some have even had their recycling bins disappear.
Salem Police Lt. Bill Kohlmeyer said most thieves are drug addicts finding ways to pay for their next dose of heroin or methamphetamine.
“When you have a habit that costs $50 to $100 a day, you just about have to steal to take care of it,” Kohlmeyer said.
The Marion County Jail releases about 400 prisoners a month before their sentences are up to save money. A matrix system helps jail staff decide who to release early - mostly misdemeanor offenders.
“If the jail could keep these individuals, we would get ahead,” said Detective Keith Blair. “But right now we are buried.”
Oregon cities that saw a drop in nonviolent crime shouldn’t celebrate too soon, however.
Detective Dennis Baker, head of the property crimes unit at the Eugene Police Department, said statistics have a tendency to seesaw.
“About the time you think you are doing really good, the rates go up the next year,” he said.