Serious Crimes Decline In City, County Robbery, Rape, Homicides, Assaults Down 13 Percent, Police Data Show

Thu., Feb. 17, 2000

By Mike Roarke mikero@spokesman.com

Serious crimes against people and property posted large drops in the city of Spokane during 1999, reaching the lowest level in years. The decline held true in the county as well.

Data released by the Spokane Police Department on Wednesday showed violent crimes - robbery, forcible rape, homicides and aggravated assaults - fell by 13 percent last year.

Major crimes against property, such as burglaries and vehicle thefts, dropped by about 15 percent.

Spokane Police Chief Roger Bragdon said ties with neighborhoods and aggressive policing efforts may have aided the decline.

But, Bragdon added, “Crime stats historically go up and down with little explanation.”

While major crimes have fallen, total drug arrests have mounted in the city since the early 1990s - reaching 983 last year.

Bragdon said drug use, in part, has increased street violence.

“The overall violence is up, but is not reflected in the lower numbers,” he said.

In Spokane County, serious crimes fell by about 10 percent in 1999, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

A total of 10,872 major crimes were committed in the county last year, compared with 12,047 in 1998, which was a high year for city crimes, as well.

Nationally, major crimes have been on the wane for most of the 1990s. Factors contributing to the drop include positive economic conditions. The age group most prone to criminal activity, 14- to 24-year-olds, is also smaller.

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