Will you chip in to support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation today? Yes, I want to support My Edmonds News!
As a follow up to resident comments about increasing crime in our HWY 99 adjacent neighborhoods in my October Letter to the editor: Edmonds through the eyes of visitors – My Edmonds News, I asked for crime data and was given the “Crime in Washington 2024” report just released by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC). That was in October, but it took a break in council business for me to get to this intended “share.”
Notes: 1) 2025 has happened since these statistics. 2) While statistics do not lie, they do not tell the whole story (for example, was the assault related to domestic violence or random act of violence, was the rape by someone in the home or by an unknown suspect, was there an uptick of reporting on the same level of criminal behavior due to increased education or an uptick in trust in the system?)
But with all of that said, here are the Edmonds statistics (from page 444 of the report):
First the positive statistical trends.
Arson, murder, motor vehicle theft, stolen property offenses and kidnapping were all down by 25% or more in 2024 compared to 2023 (from 2 to 1, from 2 to 1, from 113 to 67, from 39 to 29, and from 7 to 4, respectively).
On the flip side, there were increases of 25% or more in the following categories:
There was a section on hate crimes in the report as well (page 93). I am sorry to say that among nearby cities of similar size, Edmonds had the most (8) compared to 5 in Shoreline, 3 in Lynnwood, and 1 in Mountlake Terrace. To the credit of the Edmonds Police Department, these incidents are taken very seriously (our reported incidents in 2025, for example, will include a hate crime at City Park even though the victim would not press charges).
But the fact remains that we are not living up to the aspirations that the 2017 City Council put forward in Resolution 1381 (Declaring the City of Edmonds to be an equitable, safe, and inviting community for everyone who lives in, works in and visits Edmonds). And we need to face that reality and do better. As we see news reports of horrific, hate-motivated violence around the world, we must ask ourselves whether we are doing enough to build a culture of inclusion and support here, where our smile, friendly hello, invitation and advocacy for our neighbors make a direct impact.
This conversation about public safety will be continued at the upcoming Edmonds Civic Roundtable event on Monday, Jan. 5 at the Edmonds Waterfront Center, 6:30-8 p.m. The featured speaker is Police Chief Loi Dawkins. If you haven’t met her yet, or if you have questions about the information here or other policing matters, please attend. The event is free but advance registration is appreciated; go to Edmonds Civic Roundtable | Edmonds City | Edmonds, WA, USA
I look forward to working with the community, the Mayor, and my colleagues on council to make Edmonds a safer, happier and healthier community in 2026. Happy New Year!
Vivian Olson is a Edmonds City Councilmember. This column represents her own views.
Thank you, Vivian. I appreciate your excellent report and positive attitude!
Vivian, this comes across as an attempt to justify an increase in spend. Read this Time article, ‘you can’t run a city on a police and fire department alone’.
https://time.com/6097414/wildfires-firefighters-spending/
EPD currently represents 40% of the general fund expenditures.
How do you reconcile, EPD’s union presidents comments, suggesting spending cuts of up to 10 – 15 positions? – see his comments in article below.
We’re an educated constituent, we can support EPD, and also realize more police spend doesn’t equate to fewer crimes. We need to see more innovative solutions coming from EPD, city council, really county, state, federal criminal justice system.
Have you asked, what percentage of these crimes are committed by repeat offenders? Or how many require long term mental health intervention?
Here’s another view – SnoCo 911 – EPD call volume.
2019 – 2024 – 17% decrease in call volume
https://sno911.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Sno911_Annual-Report_2024.pdf
https://myedmondsnews.com/2024/12/edmonds-police-officers-association-well-take-more-budget-cuts-to-maintain-our-department/
Folks, buckle up – this looks like another attempt to squeeze an already burdened community. You’ll notice many of our electeds pushing for spend, report a high personal wealth in PDC filings.
Again EPD is great, but no more blank checks.
The original LTE (referenced herein) was a light-hearted piece that thanked residents, community partners, and staff for their contributions to making Edmonds delightful.
The comment thread in that LTE went in another direction– to concerns.
Council has received criticism from the public that “we are speaking into a void”. This LTE is a direct follow-up to the concerns in that first LTE comment thread about crime getting worse, communicating the statistics. This LTE lets the commenters know that I looked into it and shares the numbers with the public and full council.
Ah. Okay, appreciate the follow up / clarification!
Vivian, thank you for sharing this information. I look forward to reading what the 2025 info is as soon as it’s available.
Vivian, thank you for being involved and trying to reach the public in an honest way. Facts all of it. You are a good council member, an informed CC member and citizen for Edmonds. There will always be those who disagree. We do need a good police force, and any cuts aren’t good in my opinion. But I also know the city can only afford so much right now. Yes, police some do cost a lot of money but I think this is nationwide. I think we should use our WSP more on 99. They told me once that they have offered but for some reason weren’t wanted here? This was a few years ago when I called and spoke to a commander. So, I don’t know all helping together from CC to Citizens to police enforcement of laws is essential in my opinion. Resident and homeowner in Edmonds for 34 years and almost 40 in WA state. I’ve seen a lot, I’ve worked in Social Services and I’ve seen those changes too. Hang in there Vivian and you too Nick. I love involved citizens L R and right down the middle (that’s me) I Thank all of the involved citizens in Edmonds even if I may not agree with the subject de jour.