The Seattle Police Department is reporting that, overall, major crimes were down in Seattle in 2008 by 4 percent, but its up in the Southwest 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.

But unlike the other Seattle precincts, the overall crime rise is being driven more by increases in property crimes than by violent crimes. Among property crimes, both burglaries and larceny/thefts are up, compared to a year ago.

The Southwest Precinct is also the only precinct posting an increase in vehicle thefts. While it has relatively fewer violent crimes compared to the other precincts, increases have been posted in both robberies and aggravated assaults, according to the report.

Read the Southwest Precinct Crime Trends report here.

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."