Violent crime reaches 14-year high in Seattle: report

According to data from the Seattle Police Department, overall crime increased by 10 percent (+4,209), violent crime increased by 20 percent (+874), and property crime increased by 9 percent (+3,335), compared to data from 2020.

Aggravated assaults, robberies, and motor vehicle thefts saw a significant increase when compared to a five-year weighted average. Aggravated assault totals are the highest reported in the last 10 years.

In 2021, there were 612 verified criminal shootings and shots fired citywide. This represents a 40 percent (+175) increase compared to 2020, and an 86 percent (+283) increase compared to 2019, according to the data released by the Seattle Police Department.

Seattle Police Department reported that there were 31 fatal shootings and 143 non-fatal shootings in 2021. This represents a 43 percent (+52) increase in overall shootings (fatal and non-fatal) compared to 2020, and an 81 percent (+78) increase compared to 2019. There was a 39 percent (+123) increase in evidentiary shots fired (without injury) compared to 2020, and an 88 percent (+205) increase compared to 2019 – based on ballistic evidence and eyewitness testimony.

Homeless-related events for Shootings & Shots Fired increased by 122 percent. Seattle's homeless encampments are at the height of violent crime in the city.

The neighborhoods that experienced the overall largest shootings and shots fired increases are Lake City (North), Brighton/Dunlap (South), and Chinatown/International District (West).

9-1-1 Response Times

Overall response times reached historic highs in 2021 with the department citing an existential staffing crisis within the department. Priority 1 median response time increased to 7.5 minutes, and the average response time increased to 10.5 minutes. Priority 1 calls are life-threatening emergency situations. Both stats are approaching a historic 10-year high.

During a press conference last week surrounding the city's public safety crisis, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced that he is focusing on rebuilding the Seattle police force in order to restore public safety in the city, which he says is a top-priority. However, with a progressive-majority city council that demonizes public safety officers, restoring the police force will be no easy task for the new mayor.

Since the beginning of January 2022, the Seattle Police Department has reported near daily shootings in the city along with instances of disturbing unprovoked attacks.

On Monday, the King County Prosecutor's Office released a video which showed the moment a woman was struck from behind by a man wielding a baseball bat during an apparent random attack.

Repeat violent offender, Wantez J. Tulloss, 41, has been charged with first-degree felony assault in connection with the incident. His bond was set at only $150,000, another example of Seattle's failed progressive policies that add to the increase in violent crime throughout the city.