Statement from Mike Myers, Deputy City Administrator for Public Safety, regarding the U.S. Surgeon General’s firearm violence advisory

Press Release

Deputy City Administrator Mike Myers released the following statement regarding the U.S. Surgeon General's firearm violence advisory on June 25, 2024.

Statement by Mike Myers, Deputy City Administrator for Public Safety

Portland, OR - Deputy City Administrator Mike Myers released the following statement regarding the U.S. Surgeon General's firearm violence advisory.

"I strongly support the U.S. surgeon general declaring gun violence a public health crisis. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler declared a state of emergency in 2022 to address the unacceptably high level of gun violence in our community and called for a public health approach to the City's efforts.

"We're making progress: over the past three years overall homicides are down 22 percent, shooting homicides are down 32 percent, and overall shootings are down 26 percent. The City maintains a strong relationship with Oregon Health & Science University, working closely with our public health partners to bring a holistic approach to our gun violence reduction strategy, including investments in hospital-based violence prevention efforts.

"We know our coordinated efforts since Mayor Wheeler's emergency declaration continue to reduce shootings and save lives. For the past two years, Portland has ranked in the top 10of cities nationwide for its investment in community-based violence intervention programs.

"But the toll of gun violence on our community remains much too high. We must continue investing with urgency in prevention, intervention, and enforcement through the Portland Office of Violence Prevention, Ceasefire, and Portland Police Bureau, and building on partnerships in the community to create long-lasting change. I am confident in the work we're doing will continue to improve safety in Portland."

Link to the U.S. Surgeon General's firearm violence advisory - https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/firearm-violence/index.html.

Link to the Portland Police Bureau's gun violence trends report - https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/portlandpolicebureau/viz/GunViolenceTrendsReport/YeartoDateRollingYearStatistics.