Crime on the Eastside last year remained virtually unchanged from 1999, according to the report, which covers numerous violent crimes and property crimes statewide. Property crimes, including arson, burglary and theft, generally declined on the Eastside, while violent crimes, like assault, robbery and rape increased slightly. Despite the increase in violent crimes in Bellevue, a police spokeswoman was quick to point out the city has not seen a murder since 1998. For a city our size it is pretty amazing,'' Marcia Harnden said. Cable attributed Redmond's overall decline in crime in part to a partnership with the Department of Corrections.
Officers work with parole officers to track people under supervised release or probation.
The city of Sammamish, which contracts with the King County Sheriff's Office, saw a significant jump in violent and property crimes. The increase can be attributed to the city's incorporation, sheriff's spokesman John Urquhart said. According to statistics compiled by the FBI from more than 17,000 police departments, violent crime increased 0.1 percent nationally. However, murders decreased about 1.1 percent. The Western United States showed the most significant jump in violent crime, up 1.2 percent.