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The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) has released its annual Washington Crime report which compiles crime data from across our state for 2022
The 593-page crime report and their summary press release show that from 2021 to 2022 crime rose dramatically in our state, with homicides up 16 percent along with comparable increases in other violent crimes. Meanwhile, other major metro areas in the US have shown decreases in crime rates on average, with a composite reduction in homicides of 4%. (Renton saw a 133% increase in homicides during this period).
The report also highlights another dismal fact for those wanting to feel safer. Washington State had a net reduction in police officers last year, and now trails all 50 states and the District of Columbia for the number of police officers per capita.
These trends must be reversed before we reach a tipping point we can’t come back from. As crime has gone up and police officer count has gone down, the impossible workload has made it harder to recruit and retain qualified police officers. Continuing claims by public officials of over-policing and cries for defunding the police, in the context of already the lowest number of officers per-capita in the US, also frustrate our ability to hire officers. And far from helping, our state legislature has continued to place new restrictions, burdens and liabilities on our overworked officers, such as the complex rules that largely ban peace officers from pursuing fleeing suspects that refuse to pull over after smash-and-grab burglaries, car thefts, reckless driving, and sometimes more serious crimes. In another example, the State Legislature recently considered making new police officers and their families personally liable for any failures by the State-run police academy to thoroughly train them.
The 593-page crime report includes data from agencies across Washington, like this data regarding Renton’s 2021 and 2022 major crime rates.
Renton hasn’t defunded the police directly. But with enough “defund the police” adjacent council members, there’s been enough drama to make sure that the police don’t get any more budget to handle our population increases.
I agree with this assessment. Last year was the first year since the pandemic began that Renton was able to add four police officers to their ranks. This barely kept up with Renton’s population growth and was far below what was needed to handle the increased workload from crime spiking 60-100% in some categories. (In any other department, like building permitting for instance, if there was a 60 percent increase in workload Renton would typically add 60 percent additional staff to manage it.)
The four officers were only added after Mayor Pavone, Police Chief Schuldt, and Public Safety Committee Chair Ruth Perez worked together to come up with a viable plan for new officers that they felt they could get through full council approval. By focussing on the downtown, which has had an overwhelming number of public safety issues (some stores saw as many as 7 repeat break-ins), they were able to get the full council to approve the addition of four officers.
Note that it takes five officers to provide one officer 24/7 on a beat, since there are 168 hours per week, and employees need time for training, sick leave and vacation in their 40 hour work-weeks.
So in summary, with crime up 60-100 percent, and population increasing by 1000-2000 per year, we’ve fielded an additional 8/10s of an officer around-the-clock, after three years of no additions. Mayor Pavone and several of the council members would definitely like to add more police, but they’ve faced headwinds from other members that have talked about “over-policing” or “defunding.”
Renton’s number of police officers per capita is fairly close to the state average, which is the lowest in the nation. Some cities, like New York, have about three times as many officers per capita as Renton. I think we should add at least 20 new officers to our department, which would increase our department size about 15 percent. More would even be better, but 20 would be an immediate good start. It will be very difficult to hire 20 in today’s climate, with candidates in short supply and the police academy slots hard to get, but Renton needs to keep pushing hard to add officers.
710 fatal overdoses in King County from the beginning of this year. If an extra police officer now and then could use Narcan to save a person, it would be worth it.
Yes… It’s concerning to hear about the rise in crime as supposedly reported by the WASPC. However, if there is a problem, the solution isn’t as simple as just adding more police. Ed Prince and Carmen Rivera outlined in their letter that we need to approach these issues with data-driven solutions.
The systemic inequities and challenges faced by BIPOC, QTPOC, and LGBTQUIA+ communities often go unaddressed in “traditional” law enforcement methods. Increased police presence leads to disproportionate targeting and violence against these marginalized groups.
Ed and Carmen argue for a more nuanced approach that focuses on addressing the root causes of crime rather than simply responding to its symptoms. Their strategy includes more investment in social services, mental health resources, job training programs, and affordable housing.
Also, regarding the state legislature’s actions, it’s not about burdening officers with complex rules or liabilities. It’s about ensuring accountability and improving the quality of our police force. The family liability is meant hold those officers accountable.
You forgot Ryan. It’s not just Ed and Carmen.
SummerBoi, regarding police liability, as I said in my thorough report when you click the link, I agree police officers should be held accountable for bad faith actions. And as I also said, this is already covered by our state law. If an officer acts with bad faith or in gross negligence, they lose immunity under the existing law that is already in place. Here is the law: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.46.212
What I want for a council member is for them to promise that they won’t skin my face and wear it as a hat.
It’s a problem in some towns.
Agreed. We do need to have standards.
Remember that we’re discussing a real issue affecting Renton communities. It’s important to maintain respect and sensitivity in these conversations.
Mediocre.
After 28 years as a public official, I’ve learned that the most helpful and effective public servants are the ones who recognize and acknowledge when we have serious problems, work together to find solutions, remain committed over the long-term when problems take a long time to solve, and widely share credit for achievements.
Our elected officials who have been truly committed to lessening crime in Renton and toiling to find meaningful solutions will tell you that they have not been 100% successful, that they’re working through tough, frustrating challenges with many aspects of the problem, and that they desperately wish they could do more.
In contrast, our public officials that have not been helping very much (or even hindering our efforts in some cases) will tell you crime is not really that bad and they’ve already significantly improved public safety for everyone through their outstanding personal achievements. They typically follow this by listing the achievements of the first group of people, the ones actually working the problems, and claiming that group’s accomplishments as their own personal, individual achievements.
It’s a frequent pattern in elections in all levels of government. As always, it’s important for voters to not just take claims of success from officials running for office at face value, and dig deeper into the public record (or get information from trusted friends that are doing so).
NO! The best public servants sit on boards and do nothing or even actively work against their citizens. Then grandstand about problems.
/sarcasm
Did you notice who *didn’t* endorse Kim…. Like any of the council? That’s pretty damning.