Portland Shootings Rise, Police Change How They Investigate

PORTLAND, OR –Shootings are on the rise in Portland. There have been 271 shooting investigations in the city so far this year, up nearly 15 percent from the 240 shootings through the same period last year.

Police Chief Danielle Outlaw says enough is enough and is changing the way that the bureau investigates gun crime.

On Tuesday, Outlaw announced several changes to the way that bureau responds to gun crime.

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The bureau's Gun Violence Response Team, which used to only respond to gang-related, will now be contacted about all shootings.

An on-duty sergeant with the team will decide whether members of the team or another division such as homicide, robbery, or domestic violence reduction, should respond to take the lead on the investigation.

Outlaw also said that six detectives and six officers will be added to the bureau's Tactical Operations Division, which over oversees the units.

"The Portland Police Bureau is strategically focused and committed to the use of data, intelligence, collaboration and technology to make the best use of our limited resources and to inform our enforcement efforts," said Outlaw said.

"This contemporary policing model will allow us to solve crimes faster and prevent gun violence from occurring in our community."

Outlaw says that the bureau is also strengthening its focus on collaboration and the use of technology, stressing the bureau's decision to join thePortland Area Gun Crime Initiative.

That initiative also includes members of the Gresham Police Department; Multnomah County Sheriff's Office; Multnomah County District Attorney's office: US Attorney's Office; Oregon State Police, Oregon State Crime Lab; ATF; and FBI. The Portland Police Bureau and PACGI will continue to work with: the Office of Youth Violence Prevention; Habilitation Empowerment Accountability Therapy (HEAT) and the Gang Impacted Families Team (GIFT).

As part of the initiative, the Bureau of Tobacco, Alcohol, and Firearms provided the Portland Police Bureau with a machine that will allow detectives to access forensic information on recovered bullet casings almost immediately. Previously, they had to go through a bureaucratic process that could take weeks if not months.

Photo via Portland Police.