Crime Down in 2010 in the City of Woodinville

Police Chief Sydney Jackson reported to the City Council Tuesday that crime was down as much as 19 percent in city limits in 2010. Crime statistics for unincorporated King County are not yet available.

The Annual Police Service Highlights & Data Report showed a four-year decline in crimes, a trend Jackson was quick to point out is consistent with the overall trend in both the state and the nation. The chief also emphasized the numbers indicate the dedication of the police force, contracted from King County Sheriff’s Office, to reducing crime in the city.

“We have great officers with great gut instincts and the upper edge of a work ethic,” Jackson said.

The report was broken up into two categories defined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Part I crimes include criminal homicide (which includes murder and non-negligent manslaughter, but excludes deaths by negligence, attempts to kill, suicides, accidental deaths, justifiable homicide, and traffic fatalities), forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Part II crimes are the non-violent crimes.

There were 19 violent crimes reported in 2010, none were murder. The last time there was a homicide was in 2009 and was an officer-involved shooting judged to be justified. There were two rapes, eight aggregated assaults and nine robberies in 2010.

More non violent crimes were committed in the city last year than violent ones, according to the report. Larceny was the number one crime at 293 incidents. Larceny is defined as the unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property of any value amount from the possession or constructive possession of another. Examples are thefts of bicycles, motor vehicle parts and accessories, shoplifting, pocket-picking, or the stealing of any property or article that is not taken by force and violence or by fraud. Attempted larcenies are included in the 293 number. Embezzlement, forgery, check fraud, and like crimes are excluded.

 Burglary, defined as the unlawful entry of a commercial or residential structure with the intent to commit a crime was the second biggest crime in Woodinville with 66 incidents.

 Stolen cars went down from 33 in 2009 to 21 in 2010. Thefts from vehicles, or “prowls”, were up from 100 in 2009 to 121 in 2010.

The department also reduced its response time for priority calls to just over 3 minutes from the time the call to the police is made until an officer arrives at the scene.

To view the full report check the city’s website.