Preliminary report shows Lacey saw  increase in crimes against people in 2022

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Lacey Chief of Police Robert Almada said the city saw a 14.5% increase in reported crimes against people and a 4.5% increase in crimes against property in 2022, adding that there is an increase in population and more activities due to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

Almada clarified that the data came from a preliminary report and is still subject to change. He added that finalized data for 2022 will be available around July this year.

"Part of that (growth) is in 2021, we're kind of limited due to the caveats with COVID and everything else, but also it is definitely an increase in the actual number of crimes,  a significant percentage increase, but also a lot of activity (this year)," said Almada during the General Government & Public Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday, February 28.

Almada gave the following statistics from the report:

  • There were 29 reported robberies in the city in 2022, a 6.5% decrease from the 31 reported in 2021.
  • Reported forcible sex offenses dropped by 22.8% from 57 reports in 2021 to 44 last year. The city also saw a 28.3% decrease in a five-year average.
  • Reports of aggravated assault rose to 80 in 2022, a 35.6% increase from 59 reports in 2021.
  • There were 305 reported simple assaults in 2022 and 306 reported in 2021.
  • The city saw a 78.6% increase in reported arson for a five-year average. There were ten reported arson incidents in 2022 and nine in 2021.
  • There were 24 reported weapons law violations in the city in 2022. This is a 20% increase in 2021 and a 17.6% increase in a five-year average.
  • The city saw an 88.4% decrease in a five-year average on drug/narcotics offenses. Almada said this is because the Washington State Supreme Court's February 2021 decision ruled that the state's felony drug possession statute was unconstitutional.
  • Reported auto thefts in 2022 rose to 270, a 35% increase from 200 in 2021.
  • Reports of burglary saw a significant increase of 56.1% or 256 reports in 2022 from 164 in 2021.

One of the reasons that Almada stated on what's driving the crime trends in the city is the legislative reform or "highly restrictive pursuits laws."

 "You can't tie the hands of law enforcement and not expect crime to go out," said Almada.

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  • Cobbnaustic

    It wouldn't have anything to do with all the wacked out homeless people the city lets run wild.

    Friday, March 3, 2023 Report this

  • johngreen

    Some of the largest increases have nothing to do with pursuit restrictions, this is a copout. Arson, weapons violations, assault, have nothing to do with pursuit.

    Friday, March 3, 2023 Report this

  • Yeti1981

    Cobbnaustic, I believe you're thinking of Olympia. Lacey seems to have somewhat of a better handle on the issue than most around here.

    Friday, March 3, 2023 Report this