Spokane crime drops to lowest levels in six years, police data shows

SPOKANE, Wash. — New data from Spokane public safety officials shows that violent and property crime have reached their lower levels than before the pandemic, with some offenses dropping by more than 30% compared to previous years.

According to the latest statistics Spokane Police shared with city leaders, all person and property crimes decreased by 22% from 2019 levels. Burglary cases dropped by 34%.

Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall said multiple factors contributed to the decline.

“There is a lot of different discussions happening amongst criminologists about why that’s happening,” Hall said.

The department has implemented data-driven hot spot policing, which identifies small areas with high crime rates and increases police presence in those locations. This strategy has been used in neighborhoods like Emerson Garfield, which previously experienced crime spikes.

The department says it has achieved an almost 100% homicide clearance rate, meaning nearly all reported homicides cases are getting closed.

“All of that drives, reductions in crime by pulling people who are dangerous off the streets,” Hall said.

The department also experienced its best year of officer retention since the pandemic and increased hiring.

“Police do impact crime rates. And when police aren’t around, crime will go up when police are present Crime goes down,” Hall said.

Hall acknowledged that residents may not immediately feel safer despite the statistics.

“We can throw them numbers all day long, but what they know is how they feel, so we just need to keep working on that type of messaging to let them know this is a very safe city,” Hall said.

Crime has decreased nationwide, but Hall said his department is performing exceptionally well in addressing homicides.

The department plans to continue implementing current strategies, especially those focused on gun violence and homicides.

You can find the departments crime dashboard here.