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Overall Major Crimes were down in Seattle in 2008 by 4%. This followed a large decline in crime in 2007 that saw the crime rate fall to a forty year low. Several trends within the 2008 crime statistics are important to note.
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.
The citywide and precinct crime Major Crime statistics for August and September have now been posted. Through September, there has been a citywide increase in Major Crimes of 8%, up from 7% at midyear. Violent Crimes are up 18% compared with the same period one year ago; and Property Crimes are up 7%. The year-to-date increase in Major Crimes had stabilized in July and August, but rose slightly in September. The table below depicts reported Major Crimes by month in 2009 and compares the year-to-date totals with the same period in 2008.