Violent crime in our community

The rise in shootings in Salem and the longer-term upward trend of violent crime are issues that have impacted the entire city. For Salem police officers and staff, there is no higher priority than the protection of life and physical safety within our community. We hear the community voices and share in the concern about increased community violence. 

Understanding the problem

Although factors for the rise in any crime category can vary and may involve complex issues, there were no obvious reasons why rates are increasing in Salem. To evaluate the issue further, a gun violence problem analysis was conducted in August 2023 to assess the circumstances. The goal of the independent analysis was to examine incident details to identify and explore characteristics, risk factors, and more.

Forward motion

The Salem Police Department is taking proactive steps to intervene and address these challenges head on in collaboration with our criminal justice system partners. 

A broader, collective discussion on how we, as a community, can and should respond also occurred on November 20, 2023 at a special work session on community violence with members of the Salem City Council and Marion County commissioners . The result was a countywide commitment from government officials and myriad partners to work together with a focus on what matters—the community's safety.

Community conversations 

Over the course of 2024, the City of Salem and the Salem Police Department has worked to foster strong partnerships with community leaders, organizations, and residents to ensure a holistic understanding of the dynamics at work in our city and gain support in creating and implementing an intervention strategy.

The first community conversation occurred on Wednesday, March 6 at 6 p.m. at the East Salem Community Center. Mayor Chris Hoy led the initiative's kick-off meeting. Police Chief Trevor Womack provided the 200 residents in attendance with an overview of shooting data and the criminal justice response to this public safety issue. Ben McBride of Empower Initiative, facilitated the meeting and guided the community discussion and a question-and-answer session. Watch the event on CC:Media's online channel.

The second conversation

We heard from more than 100 attendees at the second community conversation on April 19 at Chemeketa Community College.

The meeting was presented in Spanish with English translation. The participants gathered to hear the findings from the gun violence problem analysis, as well as discuss potential solutions, ask questions, and share concerns. Watch it here / Vea el event aquí.

Three more conversations took place during the summer!

 July 19 - Catholic Community Services. Video of the event. / Haga clic aquí para ver el video del evento.

 July 31 - Chemeketa Community College. Video of the event. / Haga click aquí para ver el video del.

August 22 - Salem Alliance Church. Video of the event. / Haga clic aquí para ver el video del evento.

What's next after the meetings?

Salem City Council Work Session

Salem City Council will meet on November 19 for a special work session to receive the Empower Initiative report about the feedback received through the community listening sessions and the development of an action plan.

El concejo municipal de la ciudad de Salem se reunirá el 19 de noviembre para una reunión especial para recibir el informe de Empower Initiative sobre los comentarios recibidos a través de las conversaciones con la comunidad y el desarrollo de un plan de acción.

Community action is happening now

Residents are engaging impacted neighborhoods now through peace walks. Oak Park Church in northeast Salem is coordinating the events which involve community members walking through at-risk neighborhoods to show neighbor-to-neighbor support and unification on the topic of reducing violence on Salem streets.

Find the dates of the upcoming walks online or call 503-315-8924.

La acción comunitaria está ocurriendo ahora 

Residentes están apoyando a los vecindarios afectados por la violencia a través de caminatas por la paz. La iglesia Oak Park y otras iglesisas por la ciudad están coordinando los eventos en los que residentes caminan por vecindarios en riesgo para mostrar apoyo y unificación—vecino a vecino—sobre el tema de reducir la violencia en las calles de Salem.

Encuentre las fechas para las caminatas programadas o llame al 503-315-8924 para más información.

Messages from the Chief of Police

Chief Womack has published several community messages related to this initiative. In November 2023 he shared an Open Letter to the Community which included an invitation to participate in the joint local government work session. In March 2024 he released another poignant message to the community.

Mensajes de parte del jefe de policía

En noviembre de 2023, el jefe compartió un mensaje para la comunidad en español con una invitación para la participación en una reunión especial entre la municipalidad y el gobierno del condado.

En marzo de 2024, publicó otro mensaje conmovedor para la comunidad fue publicado en español.

Related Media Releases and Articles

City of Salem Media Releases 

June 7, 2024   Agencies release joint statement on violence reduction efforts this summer

 Articles published by local news outlets

August 23, 2024   After listening for months, city sets to work on anti-violence strategy

August 26, 2024   What's next after Salem's final community meeting on gun violence