The reported crime rate is a measure of the offenses reported to the Police Bureau during the fiscal year. These crimes directly impact the community through actions like violence towards individuals or property loss or damage. The National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) provides a standard process for law enforcement agencies to report crime. Each offense committed within an incident is counted, providing a comprehensive view of crime and making comparison of crime rates across jurisdiction more consistent. The Portland Police Bureau collects NIBRS data through offense reports and the associated data is reported to the State and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The data is also used to inform strategic planning and daily operations of the Police Bureau as well as to keep the community informed through the Police Open Data. The crime rate accounts for changes in populations. 

Reported crimes against property accounted for 81% of the Group A crime reported in fiscal year 2023-24. Larceny offenses, such as shoplifting and theft from motor vehicles, were the most common offense types making up 41% of reported crime. Crimes against persons made up over 16% of reported crime with assault offenses the most common type. Crimes against society represented about 3% of the reported crime with weapons law violations the most frequent. There has been a decreasing trend in total NIBRS Group A reported crime rate over the prior two fiscal years after sharply increasing in fiscal year 2021-22. Noted decreases in reported motor vehicles theft, larceny, and vandalism contributed to about 80% the overall reduction in the crime rate. Trends in individual offenses may vary from the overall crime trend.

The crime rate is the total number of reported NIBRS Group A offenses divided by the Portland population then multiplied by 1,000. The Police Bureau's records management system (RegJIN) is the data source for the reported NIBRS Group A crimes. The offense reports are written by officers or submitted by the community through the online reporting system. The measure is based on crimes reported during the fiscal year. Reports are continuously updated, so data is subject to change. Introduction to NIBRS offenses can be found at the following link: https://www.portland.gov/police/open-data/crime-definitions. The population is from the Portland State University Population Research Center and is the population estimate (or revised estimate) as of July 1st each fiscal year. The use of a crime rate makes it easy to compare the amount of reported crime each year as population fluctuates. 

The Portland Police Bureau’s Open Data Site (https://www.portland.gov/police/open-data) includes additional data and information on reported crimes. 

Information about and link to interactive crime statistics dashboard with data download: https://www.portland.gov/police/open-data/crime-statistics 

Introduction to NIBRS offenses: https://www.portland.gov/police/open-data/crime-definitions