Portland Homicides: New High Set But Total Depends On Who Counts

PORTLAND, OR — This much is certain. There have been a record number of homicides in Portland this year. The previous high was set in 1987. From there, things get a little confusing.

The exact number this year, the exact number in 1987, it all depends on who is doing the counting.

The Portland Police Bureau said that as of Oct. 19, the city has recorded 70 homicides, breaking the 1987 record of 66.

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But the numbers are higher if you count officer-involved shootings.

In 1987, there were four, including one by the FBI. This year, there have been three officer-involved shootings.

If you add in the officer-involved shootings, this year's homicide total of 73 breaks the record of 70 set in 1987.

Why not count all of them?

The Portland Police Bureau said they use the FBI standard of not including justifiable homicides, which include ones by officers and community members. As a result, the Portland numbers include murders and negligent homicides.

The record homicide numbers come on the heels of the city passing 1,000 shootings for the year, another record.