(The Center Square) – Crime costs the Oregon economy a substantial amount of money.
The economic impact of crime in Oregon was an estimated $14.9 billion in 2023, according to a report released by the Common Sense Institute this week. That is a cost of $3,509 per Oregon resident.
Violent crimes were the most costly, creating 64.7% ($9.6 billion) of that economic burden.
Just one murder has an economic burden of $9.1 million, with $5.15 million coming from quality-of-life losses. Meanwhile, the murders result in $1.8 million in future earnings and household contributions of the victim per murder.
Rape also costs the state dearly, imposing an economic burden of $289,928 per incident, on average. Meanwhile, assaults impose a cost of $50,072 per incident, while robberies account for $29,215 per incident, the report said.
Violent crime rose in Oregon by 24.3% from 2020 to 2023, worsening the economic problems associated with crime.
Similarly, drug-related offenses account for $969 million in costs for Oregon, as drug overdose deaths increased by 28.9% from 2020 to 2023.
The Common Sense Institute says that Measure 110, which decriminalized drug possession in Oregon in 2020, contributed to the rise in drug-related crimes, drug overdose deaths, and other crimes in Oregon. Lawmakers largely reversed the state’s drug decriminalization law earlier this year.
“The financial and societal cost of crime in Oregon is staggering and should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and communities alike,” Mark McMullen, CSI VP of Policy and Research, said in the report. “Violent crime and drug-related offenses are driving significant costs to residents and businesses, emphasizing the importance of addressing root causes like substance abuse and economic instability.”
However, CSI’s report added that the organization thinks crime rates are far higher than the state reports as many crimes go unreported. The state reported 479,317 incidents in 2023.
Combatting this crime problem also costs the state substantial amounts of money. Oregon may spend as much as $6.1 billion on public safety next year, according to the report. That is more than triple what the Oregon spent a decade ago.