Since the Seattle Police Department deployed more officers in September to work emphasis patrols on foot and on bikes throughout Capitol Hill’s busy nightlife district, robberies have dropped 42-percent while assaults are down 35-percent.
The department’s new SeaStat program—which uses data and community input to ensure officers are deployed where they’re most needed—has greatly contributed to these successes, but SPD also owes a great deal to its relationships with the Capitol Hill community.
Just last week, detectives investigating a series of recent robberies in the East Precinct had a major break in their case when police in Los Angeles arrested a group of teenaged suspects in a car that had been stolen in an armed robbery on Capitol Hill.
Detectives believe those teens could be tied to about half of the robberies in Capitol Hill, and are working to bring those suspects back to face charges.
While detectives have worked their case on Capitol Hill, patrol officers in the East Precinct have made some great arrests, too:
- Bike officers arrested an armed felon seen running down Broadway waving a gun
- Detectives caught a phone-snatching suspect in the act
- Officers arrested a man for indecent liberties after he grabbed a woman on the street.
- Last weekend, officers booked a man into jail for a hate crime after he made racist and homophobic comments and threatened staff at a nightclub.
SPD commanders have been out engaging with residents and business owners about what they’re seeing, and what they need from our department. Commanders and officers have received a great deal support in the community, as well as a few offers of hugs and requests to appear in selfies.
While detectives continue their investigation on Capitol Hill, officers will be out foot and on bikes while SPD works with federal and local law enforcement partners to continue to address crime and disorder on Capitol Hill.