To My Community:
These newsletters have covered many topics, from misdemeanors, to property crime, and other “non-violent” acts. Today I want to address the single most traumatic crime we face - murder. Multnomah County is in the midst of an extraordinary and unprecedented stretch of homicides. Unfortunately, these events often touch the most vulnerable in our community. They also shake our county’s confidence in our public safety system.
We can fix this, but I need your help to do it.
“Without enforcement, there are no standards.”
Thank you again for your continued support.
Sincerely yours,
Nathan
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer
Three Years = Highest Homicide Rates in History
During the short three-years that Mike Schmidt has been DA, the city of Portland has suffered through the three highest murder counts in recorded history (while a County race, homicides are reported by City). The number decreased in 2023, but would still be a record were it not for the staggering figures from 2021 and 2022. The graph above shows the 20 highest years of homicides in Portland between 1985 and today, according to FBI data.
These first three full years of the Schmidt administration have been accompanied by the three highest homicide totals in Portland history.
Violent crime, including homicides, has recently risen significantly all over the United States. Between 2019 and 2022, the national homicide rate rose by 21%. That’s bad. Under Schmidt’s administration, however, Portland's homicide rate rose by 213% in the same period—ten times the national increase. That’s a lot worse than just bad.
The tragic consequences of these failed policies have been borne predominantly by the Black community. Portland’s Black community suffers from a homicide victimization rate five times greater than Black communities in the rest of the nation, and now twelve times higher than Portland’s white homicide victimization rate of 10/100,000. Everyone wants and deserves to feel safe, and these failed policies are hurting marginalized communities most of all.
How Can The District Attorney Improve Public Safety?
It is impossible to understate the impact of a murder. These cases fray the fabric of our community and leave behind tremendous emotional damage to the family and friends of the victims. The district attorney alone cannot change the trajectory of homicides that have plagued Portland, but must play an essential role in developing a comprehensive response. In fact, I believe the DA must be one of the leaders in that work.
Identifying and implementing solutions requires trust from our partners in the justice system, experience as prosecutor, and a commitment to action. I am the only candidate in this race that can rebuild that trust across our entire community.
Throughout my two decades in the district attorney’s office, strong relationships have been a hallmark of my work. Likewise, I have demonstrated, throughout my prosecutorial career, a commitment to taking action. From supporting diversion units, to building neighborhood response units, to my latest role - the Strategic Prosecution Unit - which uses data-driven actions to help inform prosecutions and reduce recidivism.
“We are doing better than last year” is not an acceptable answer. Portlanders must demand new leadership committed to new solutions.
LATEST PRESS
See the latest article by Willamette Weekly.
We Can Do It!
I promise to restore confidence in our criminal justice system by reinstituting a balanced, fair approach to prosecutions. I will take crime seriously.
I will do the job my opponent refuses to do.
In these challenging times, we want to emphasize a fundamental belief of our campaign - that two things can be true at once. We can be compassionate about people's life circumstances, recognizing the complex issues that drive some individuals into the criminal justice system. At the same time, we can and must hold people accountable for their actions when they harm our communities. And for most, intervention is compassion.
Our vision for the District Attorney's office is one that balances these principles. We aim to implement policies that address the root causes of crime while ensuring that those who break the law face appropriate consequences. By doing so, we can create a safer and more just community for everyone.
Thank you for your unwavering support, and together, we can bring about positive change in our district.
Sincerely,
The Vote for Vasquez Team
P.S. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the upcoming primary election date of May 21, 2024!
Get Involved
You can be a part of this transformative journey to a brighter future with Nathan. Your financial support is essential to fuel our campaign. Every contribution counts, no matter the size. Just scan the QR code below!
~Theresa Griffin Kennedy
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