New Washington report shows drop in violent area crime

Last week, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs released an annual report about crime within the state. The data comes from Washington law enforcement agencies using the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS).

Overall, violent crime was down across the state last year, including murders, which totaled 312 in 2024, a decrease of 18.8 percent compared to the 384 murders reported in 2023. Generally speaking, violent crime decreased by 7.6 percent across the two years.

Of all crimes against persons, 49.5 percent were reported as domestic violence offenses.
Both robbery offenses and theft offenses were down, as well, compared to 2023, 2022, and 2021. Drug arrests, however, rose, with 10,907 arrests made in 2024 (out of 17,473 offenses reported). Only 5,022 arrests were reported in 2023.

Of those drug offenses reported in 2024, the use of amphetamines and methamphetamines topped the list.

So, how did law enforcement agencies in the Nisqually Valley area fare?

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office reported three murders, down from the five reported in 2023. Just one manslaughter was reported, down from four in 2023. Rape was down 58.8 percent, going from 17 reported in 2023 to seven reported in 2024. Kidnapping was also down 60.5 percent, going from 38 reported in 2023 to 15 reported in 2024.

In fact, auto theft, arson, robbery and burglary were all down in 2024 compared to 2023.

Drug/narcotic violations saw a slight increase of 10.9 percent from 2023 to 2024, while drug equipment violations doubled from 16 reported in 2023 to 32 in 2024.

The Yelm Police Department reported no murders in either 2023 or 2024. No manslaughters were reported in 2024, down from the one reported in 2023. Robbery was down 66.7 percent, going from nine reported in 2023 to three in 2024. Burglary and motor vehicle theft were also down.

Drug/narcotic violations were down 20.8 percent, while drug equipment violations skyrocketed, going from just two reported in 2023 to 24 reported in 2024.

Roy Police Department reported no murders or manslaughters in 2024, same as in 2023. Three rapes were reported in 2024, up from zero reported in 2023. No robberies were reported in 2024. Two burglaries were reported, same as in 2023. Two motor vehicle thefts were reported in 2024, down one from the three reported in 2023.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office reported 12 murders in 2024, up one from the 11 reported in 2023. Rape was down just 2.7 percent compared to 2023, however, robbery, burglary and motor vehicle theft were all down at least 30 percent when compared to 2023.

The Tenino Police Department did not report in 2024.

To view the entire 595-page report, visit https://tinyurl.com/2z39emst.