Misdemeanor Thefts Have Increased from 2020 to 2024

Every Sunday for the next few weeks we will share some #SundayStats -- statistics requested from the Lebanon Police Department, Lebanon Oregon to help keep the community informed about public safety and how the closure of the jail has impacted the city. This levy is more than about funding our jail -- it's about keeping people accountable. When someone commits a crime and knows there isn't a jail available, it can reduce accountability and it absolutely will embolden repeat criminal behavior.

Up first, misdemeanor thefts. From 2020-2024, we've seen a 68 percent increase in these thefts. This charge can range from stealing a kid's bike from your porch to shoplifting at Walmart. The jail closed in 2023, and in that year there were 50 charges of misdemeanor theft. It nearly doubled in 2024, with 99 charges of misdemeanor theft. Every one of these charges represents a crime that affected a business, a family, or a neighbor in our community. Help pass the jail levy and let's encourage a Safe Community and a Strong Future for Lebanon.