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:
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.
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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.
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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.
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