The Seattle Police Department is reporting that, overall, major crimes were down in Seattle in 2008 by 4 percent, but its up in the North Precinct, which has seen an overall increase in major crimes in the first four months of 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008.

Among violent crimes, both robberies and aggravated assaults are up through April 2009 when compared with the same period in 2008 in the North.

There are also increases in property crimes in North Precinct, particularly burglaries and larcenies, but these are not as large proportionally as the increases in violent crimes. Vehicle thefts, show a strong downward trend in the precinct.

According to the report, as a result of quick response to street robberies, North Precinct officers have obtained good suspect descriptions that have led to rapid identification, and in some cases, almost immediate arrests.

Read the North Precinct Crime Trends reporthere.

Citywide there was a large decline in crime in 2007 that saw the crime rate fall to a 40-year low. 

From the report:

"Unlike 2007, crime reductions in 2008 did not occur in all crime categories.  Instead, the overall decline was driven by large reductions in aggravated assaults and vehicle thefts.  At the same time there were citywide increases in other crimes – notably rape, robbery and non-residential burglary.

Also unlike 2007, crime did not decline throughout the city last year.  North, East and Southwest Precincts showed crime decreases, but South and West Precincts saw an increase in major crimes.  As the crime trends in South and West Precincts became apparent, the department intensified its efforts to address them.  Precinct commanders were allocated additional overtime resources for proactive patrol in, and rapid response to, crime hotspots.  Task forces and specialized units, such as gangs, were also made available to supplement and support the work of patrol units.  The department took this same approach to crime flare-ups in other precincts as well.

The concerning trend seen in 2008, however, was the outbreak of violence by and against young people.  Early in the year, a young man was murdered at a private party.  That incident was followed by four other incidents in which juveniles were killed. Fortunately, both the community and city government came together to express not only concern, but also determination that this situation should not be allowed to continue.  What has emerged is the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative, a broad-based community/governmental action plan, in which the department is an enthusiastic partner. 

The causes of youth violence are many and complex and addressing them will not be easy.  Among the advantages we have here in Seattle, however, are active and concerned community members devoted to making a difference in kids’ lives.  The department is confident that, with such an important public safety building block in place, we will together forge safer communities throughout the city."