Crime falls in Washington's smaller cities

Following a national trend, violent crime and property crime plummeted last year in many Washington state cities with less than 100,000 population, according to figures released Monday by the FBI.

Cities such as Everett, Federal Way, Kirkland and Shoreline saw a decrease in arrests in several major-crime categories, according to the FBI.

Nationwide, violent crime declined in 2007 for the first time in three years, according to the preliminary FBI report.

Everett Police Chief Jim Scharf attributed the drop to aggressive prosecutions that have resulted in criminals going to prison for longer terms.

"It's a combination of things," Scharf said.

An estimated 1.4 million violent crimes were reported across the country last year, about a 0.7 percent drop from 2006.

The number of burglaries, car thefts, arsons and other property crimes also dropped, by 1.4 percent.

It marked the fifth year of property-crime decreases in the U.S., the FBI said.

Justice Department spokesman Peter Carr said the data are the result of crackdowns on gangs, drug dealers and gun crimes, and used the drop to call on Congress for $200 million in additional funding to continue such efforts.

The city of Kent experienced a significant drop in property crime, but aggravated assaults slightly increased in 2007 compared with 2006.

Kent Police Chief Steve Strachan said the police force is working hard to decrease violent crime this year. Strachan credits the drop in Kent property crime to citizens calling police with tips and playing an active role in neighborhood groups.

"Citizens are aware and calling us, which is a game-changer for us," he said.

In 2007, Kent investigated 4,873 reports of property crimes. Officers investigated 6,252 cases the year before.

Kirkland saw violent crimes drop from 91 in 2006 to 67 last year. Homicides also plummeted from six in 2006 to zero last year.

Four of the city's 2006 homicides involved the slayings of a young mother, her two sons and her sister. Connor Schierman has been charged in those slayings.

The figures released Monday by the FBI detailed crimes reported in large and small U.S. cities with populations under 100,000. In June, the FBI released a preliminary report, detailing statistics only for the nation's largest cities, including Seattle, Bellevue and Tacoma.

In Seattle, police investigated 24 homicides and 90 rapes in 2007, compared with 30 homicides and 129 rapes in 2006.

Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske has said crime is at a 40-year low.

Information from The Associated Press is included in this report.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com