Auto theft, home burglaries up

By Michael Ko
Seattle Times staff reporter

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The number of crimes in Seattle increased significantly from 2002 to 2003 in several major categories, hitting nine-year highs in auto thefts and residential burglaries, according to annual statistics posted on the Seattle Police Department's Web site.

But the number of robberies continued to decline following the trend of the past decade, and the number of assaults generally remained the same.

Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske said the general trend of violent crimes over the past decade is declining.

"For a city our size, we should be very pleased," he said.

To learn more Complete Seattle Police Department crime statistics are available online at www.cityofseattle.net/police/crime. Statistics are available for each 2000 census tract. The Web site explains how to determine the census tract for your address.

Auto thefts within city limits increased to more than 9,000 last year from about 8,300 the previous year. The number has been climbing steadily since 1995, when there were about 6,900.

The value of all the cars stolen last year in Seattle totaled more than $40 million; 8 percent of all auto-theft cases from last year have been solved.

Kerlikowske said "auto thefts continue to remain a horrible problem in this region, in this state and in the city." He said the penalties against car thieves are "dismal."

Residential burglaries increased to about 6,100 last year from 5,000 the previous year. Stolen property from last year's burglaries totaled almost $9.3 million. Of that, only about $457,000 worth has been recovered.

But the high number of residential burglaries is somewhat misleading, the chief said. Some thieves break into secured condominium garages and ransack every vehicle inside, and each break-in is considered a separate residential burglary, he said.

Homicides increased to 34 in 2003 from 27 in 2002. The numbers are still low compared to the mid- to late-1990s. In 1995, there were 45 homicides. In 1997 and '98, there were 49 each year.

Rapes increased to 174 last year from 152 in 2002, breaking a five-year trend of decline.

On the positive side, robberies have been decreasing steadily, from more than 2,200 in 1995 to about 1,500 in 2003. Assaults also have generally been decreasing, from more than 11,500 in 1995 to about 8,200 in 2003. However, the number of assaults rose slightly in 2003 from the 2002 total.

Other statistical highlights:

• The area with the most cars reported stolen — 284 — was south of downtown.

• Statistically, the most dangerous area in Seattle is the small strip of downtown next to the waterfront. There were five homicides, 130 robberies in the area.

Michael Ko: 206-515-5653 or mko@seattletimes.com

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