Bangor’s crime rate is one of the highest in the state, and more than double that of Portland — but that number is likely deceiving due to a flaw in how crimes are being reported.

Bangor had 9,684 “Group A” crimes — including murder, sexual assault, aggravated assault and intimidation — per 100,000 people in 2023 while Portland reported just 3,994, according to data from the state of Maine.

Bangor’s crime rate was driven largely by two offenses: intimidation and simple assault.

Bangor had 550 intimidation cases in 2023, compared with Portland’s 125 intimidation cases that year. Intimidation cases, or criminal threatening in Maine, is when words or actions are used to threaten someone without a physical attack or displaying a dangerous weapon.

The Queen City also had 526 simple assault

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