 |
City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
|
NEWS ADVISORY
|
| SUBJECT: 2005 Crime Statistics
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
3/6/2006 11:00:00 AM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Police Media Relations (206) 684-5520
|
2005 Crime Statistics
After posting a 7.2% reduction in crime in 2004, Seattle experienced a slight increase in crime for 2005. Overall, crime increased 2% in 2005 as compared to 2004. With respect to violent crime, any homicide is a tragedy and in 2005 there were 25 homicides. In 2004 there were 24 murders. This is the lowest number of murders over a two-year time span since 1964-65. However, aggravated assault (a serious assault often involving a weapon) increased 14.7%. The type of aggravated assaults that increased the most were those where a firearm was used. The department is focusing much of its efforts on reducing this crime. We are currently hiring an analyst to assist us in determining points of distribution for guns and Precinct Commanders report on all firearms-related crime. Despite this increase, it is important to remember that Seattle remains one of America’s safest big cities.
Property crimes saw a slight increase of 1.5% in 2005. However, both residential and commercial burglaries saw significant reductions of 12.7% and 12.6% respectively. The increase in property crimes was fueled by thefts related to motor vehicles. The department has continued to focus on this problem, which is also a regional and statewide issue. Through steps the department took and our work with City Attorney Tom Carr and King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng, we saw a marked reduction in the last quarter of 2005, down 26% as compared to the same period in 2004. This demonstrates that effective enforcement and prosecution can lead to reducing a problem that plagues every economic class in our city. Additionally, the new laws making possession of a “shaved” key a crime, are providing law enforcement with tools to combat vehicle theft and point to encouraging signs in bringing this crime under control.
####
|
