Marion County Targets Rising Gun Violence with Bold Action Plan
MARION COUNTY, Ore. — A Crime Report and Gun Violence Problem Analysis released yesterday by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) provides an in-depth look into crime circumstances, the individuals who commit crimes, and social networks at high risk of becoming involved in violent crime.
The report suggests several recommendations to reduce crime in the community.
Marion County Crime Report
As in many U.S. cities, Marion County experienced an increase in violent crime after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The county initiated a comprehensive gun violence analysis in March 2024, analyzing crime dynamics between 2014 and 2023, following an in-depth analysis of local gun violence from 2018 to 2023 by the Salem Police Department (SPD).
The analysis explored long-term trends and assessed recent surges in violence across the county to foster enhanced cross-jurisdictional collaboration and resource sharing.
Marion County Crime Information and Mapping charts provide monthly statistical information. Marion County Sheriff Hunter said, “Reducing violence within our community requires a collaborative approach, balancing community engagement, early intervention strategies, and pro-active enforcement.”
Hunter confirmed that MCSO deputies are doing their part to help hold people accountable. They seized 91 unlawfully possessed firearms last month alone and have worked to foster and strengthen relationships throughout the county.
The crime report seeks to understand the circumstances surrounding violent incidents, understand the characteristics of individuals involved, and identify the social networks most at risk for involvement in violence.
Risk factors and criminal trajectories among youth engaged in violence throughout Marion County are also examined in the report, which scrutinizes Marion County’s homicide rate, property crime rate, and gun violence with national average comparisons.
Using data from all law enforcement agencies within Marion County, agency-specific trends are also ringfenced.
The report details city-specific shooting incidents, demographics of victims and suspects, juvenile involvement, criminal justice system engagement, and detailed incident analysis.
Based on its findings, the crime report recommends:
- Enhancing county partnerships and intelligence sharing, engaging high-risk individuals
- Expanding programs for high-risk youth
- Hosting community meetings to foster dialogue and collaboration.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is actively working to implement and strengthen these recommendations.