Portland sees 380% increase in shootings for July compared to 2019
PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland has seen a 380 percent increase in shootings so far this July over the same timeframe in 2019, police officials said.
Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell says last year there were 11 shootings in the month of July.
Already in July 2020 there have been 42 shootings.
He says they don't know what's caused the increase, however, tensions due to the pandemic and race relations can't be ignored.
“Five victims of homicide within 24 hours is staggering,” Chief Lovell said. “We have not, nor will we stop continuing investigating and attempting to stop criminal acts in our city. We are carefully watching for trends and will seek ways to adjust as needed, and work with community partners to stop these crimes.”
In 2019, the city averaged about 32 shootings a month, while in 2020 the average is closer to 50 a month.
You'll also notice at the beginning of the ‘stay at home’ orders in March, shootings dropped by about 30 percent in Portland in comparison to 2019.
