2009 Crime Statistics

SNAPSHOT ANALYSIS: The citywide and precinct crime Major Crime statistics for November have now been posted.  Through November, there has been a citywide increase in Major Crimes of 7%, the same level as at midyear.  Violent Crimes are up 12% compared with the same period one year ago; and Property Crimes are up 6%. The year-to-date increase in Major Crimes has held stable since October, after rising slightly in September. The table below depicts reported Major Crimes by month in 2009 and compares the year-to-date totals with the same period in 2008.NOTE:  Of the three homicides recorded for November, one reflects the death of the victim in an assault that occurred in 2006.

ADDRESSING CRIME TRENDS: New officers added to the force are assisting the Department’s efforts to address these crime trends.  By the end of 2009, the Department had 1,330 funded sworn positions, more than we have ever had in our history.

Other steps being taken by the Department include adopting a task force approach to targeted crimes and crime areas and active participation in the Seattle Youth Violent Prevention Initiative taking place in the Central Area, Southeast and Southwest Seattle.  More specific response efforts are profiled on the precinct level pages.

CITYWIDE DATA:

Citywide Major Crimes(Links to XLS )

Citywide Major Crimes(Links to PDF )

CONSIDERATIONS:

The Seattle Police Department cautions against using crime and/or other police data to make decisions/comparisons regarding the safety of an area or the amount of crime.

Crime statistics represent only police services where a report was made and do not include other calls for police service.

The data do not reflect or certify "safe" or "unsafe" areas. When looking at crime statistics it is important to consider geography (business vs. residential), and major institutions that exist within the boundaries (i.e. hospitals, schools, parks, etc.) of the reporting areas.

Data will sometimes reflect where the crime was reported versus where the crime occurred.

Areas with a high volume of foot traffic or that are more densely populated may have more reported crime. This does not necessarily mean more crime occurs there, but that more crime is reported there.