While the Seattle Police are well known for their crime fighting ability, the men and women in blue go out of their way to help people and support the community they serve.

That was the message delivered by Seattle Police chief Gil Kerlikowske to the Ballard Rotary Club during their luncheon last week.

"How much the Seattle Police Department gives back to the community is another side of the department people do not know about. They (officers) understand the commitment to give back," said Kerlikowske.

Each year the department helps foster children through a giving tree at each precinct.

"Foster kids need support. Foster kids are part of a group that is not always thought of. We adopt 350 a year and pack all the stuff in police cars and take it to them," said Kerlikowske.

Each year the department raises $30,000 for the Special Olympics. During Christmas, the police union rents an Argosy Boat and invites families at the Ronald McDonald House for a cruise with dinner, a motorcycle escort and a water hose demonstration by the Seattle Fire Department's fireboats.

"It's a side of the police department you don't often see," said Kerlikowske. He then made a commitment to the Rotary, donating a free ride on a Harbor Patrol Unit for the club's fundraising auction.

The chief takes pride in his officers protecting local waterways. "It's the only 24 hour seven day a week harbor unit north of San Francisco," said Kerlikowske.

Officers assigned to the unit are qualified as marine firefighters, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration certified divers, emergency medical technicians and small boat operators.

"They do an unbelievable job," said Kerlikowske.

He has been the chief of police in Seattle for eight years. That is four years longer than the average for the leader of a major city police department.

The department operates on a $218 million budget and has a staff of 2,000.

While the news media tends to focus on the worst crimes, in 2007, Seattle had the lowest per capita crime rate in four years. The last time it was that low was 1968.

Kerlikowske compared Seattle to Washington D.C. Seattle is a little larger than the nation's capital but only had 24 homicides last year compared to Washington's 189.

"For a city of 600,000, its an unbelievably safe city. It's the ninth safest city in the U.S.," Kerlikowske said. Seattle is in the top five of large cities for being safe.

According to the department's Web site, there are six or seven violent crimes for every 1,000 people in Seattle. Even though the violent crimes - homicide, robbery, aggravated assault and rape - are among the most serious, they are rare.

The officers in the Seattle Police Department are well trained and educated.

"The educational level of the department is exceptional. There are 30 lawyers. Some have masters degrees," said Kerlikowske.

Officers also speak many languages, reflecting the community it represents.

"It's a very diverse organization. They do a great job and are high caliber," said Kerlikowske.

Every two years a random survey is conducted to poll 1,200 people on law enforcement issues of confidence, trust, safety and security.

"The confidence approval rating is 70 percent to 80 percent. It's a very high percentage," said Kerlikowske.

The University of Washington also conducts a survey annually to ask for public opinion on police and 911 responses to burglaries, theft and other complaints. Kerlikowske said up to 80 percent of respondents feel the police are helpful in those situations. The 911 operators receive 800,000 calls a year.

Kerlikowske said too many people make calls to 911 or the police asking for phone numbers or other non-emergency information. He told the Rotarians a woman once called him asking for the telephone number for Microsoft.

If North Seattle was a city, it would be the second to third largest in the state said Kerlikowske. The department's North Precinct serves Ballard and North Seattle.

With 223 officers, the North Precinct has outgrown its facility on Meridian Avenue across from North Seattle Community College.

A new police headquarters for the north end would help accommodate the addition of more police officers. Mayor Greg Nickels and the City Council have approved the hiring of 154 new officers for the entire department.

While the city has grown, there has been no sustained growth in the department since 1985, said Kerlikowske.

On the subject of police response times, Kerlikowske said,

"We want to make sure throughout the day, we can respond in seven minutes. In the middle of the night, three minutes."

Downtown is a magnet for the mentally ill, Kerlikowske said. When they are released from jail or Harborview Medical Center, they end up downtown.

"It is a public health, social political problem as much as it is a police problem," Kerlikowske said.

Last month two homeless men got into a fight and one was killed in Ballard. Both were part of the proliferation of homeless people living in motor homes.

"It's a significant problem. I'm not sure the police department is in the best situation to solve it," Kerlikowske said.

Rather than giving money to the homeless who ask for it, Kerlikowske suggested donating to homeless organizations with a good track record. Giving money to the homeless builds a cycle that is in the long run not helpful.

Dean Wong may be reached at 783.1244 or deanw@robinsonnews.com