Hate Crimes Show Decline Statewide Spokane, Whitman Counties Go Opposite Ways

The number of hate crimes dropped 31 percent in Washington last year, with the biggest decreases occurring in the state’s more populous counties, according to new figures from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.

A total of 337 hate crimes were reported statewide in 1994, compared with 488 the previous year.

The number of such crimes dropped 48 percent in King County, from 243 to 126; 24 percent in Pierce County, from 85 to 65; and 54 percent in Spokane County, from 35 to 16.

Others showing declines included Walla Walla County, from four to three, and Pend Oreille, one to zero.

“We have clearly defined hate crimes as being criminal and a more serious crime than in previous years,” said Larry Fehr, executive director of the Washington Council on Crime and Delinquency.

“It’s been a public education function that that kind of crime is unacceptable and that the consequences for that kind of criminal activity are going to be dealt with more seriously than in the past,” Fehr said.

The biggest increases in reported hate crimes occurred in Whitman County, which had five in 1993 and 14 last year; Clark County, which went from 10 to 20; and Snohomish County, from two to eight.

Yakima County was steady, with eight reported hate crimes each year.

Adams, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln, San Juan, Skamania, Stevens and Wahkiakum counties reported no hate crimes either year.

Statewide, the vast majority of the hate crimes were racially motivated. Assaults based on sexual orientation accounted for almost 14 percent.