Crime in Context

The end of 2009 allows us to review King County year-end statistics to identify and examine crime trends that emerged during the past year:

• Felony case filings have dropped dramatically.  Over the past three years, the number of felony cases has dropped from 10,761 to 6,475, a 40% decrease.  Drug crimes are on the decline.  Five years ago, 35% of the PAO's cases were drug-related -- today it is 21%.  Just five years ago, 22% of prison inmates in Washington were held for drug-related crimes -- in 2009, it was 10.5%.

• Violent crimes are up from 1,454 in 2008 to 1,918 in 2009, an increase of 32%.  This increase in violent crime corresponds to a sharp increase the PAO saw in the number of 16 and 17-year-olds subject to automatic adult jurisdiction.  In 2008, that number was 28 -- in 2009, that number more than doubled to 62.

• There is some good news to report:  In 2009, the PAO and local law enforcement worked to reduce car theft in King County by an amazing 56% since 2005.  Since 2005, the number of reported car thefts has decreased by 10,000.  Every stolen car represents $9,000 in insurance claim costs.  10,000 fewer stolen cars represent a corresponding $90 million in savings in insurance costs in our region.

• On a final note:  45% of the PAO's pending caseload is at the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent.   When the MRJC first opened, it was expected to handle only about 33% of the caseload.

Return to the News