The Daily of the University of Washington

Seattle ranks eighth among America's safest cities


Last year marked a safe year for Seattle — and consequently the UW — and put Seattle in the top 10 safest cities in America, according to a recent report from the FBI.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske announced that 2006 crime statistics compiled by the FBI ranked Seattle eighth out of 23 major metropolitan cities in America.

With total serious crimes in 2006 down by 8.2 percent from 2005, last year the Seattle Police Department (SPD) also reached a benchmark set in 1972.

According to the 2006 year-end crime statistics, the serious crime rate in 2006 — at 75.5 crimes per 1,000 — is the lowest it has been since 1972, when it was 70.6 crimes per 1,000.

Other areas of improvement by the SPD were seen in the reduction of auto thefts by 14.8 percent and larcenies by 12 percent when compared to 2005 data.

"For 2007, based upon our success in recent years, we'll continue to do what we've done," SPD spokesman Jeff Kappel said. "We will take proactive, progressive approaches to crimes."

Preliminary data released by the FBI also showed the SPD's success in solving crimes.

When compared to similarly-sized cities, the SPD met or exceeded national benchmarks in all categories but auto theft and larceny.

Closer to home, while UW students are technically protected by Seattle police, the UW Police Department (UWPD) is mainly responsible for student safety.

The UWPD first stepped into the campus spotlight this academic year following the report of a "peeping tom" in the women's bathroom at McCarty Hall.

"We have shown pictures to some victims and we are almost certain we have the individual," said Assistant Chief Ray Wittmier. "But we haven't apprehended the suspect because the victims weren't 100 percent sure at the selection."

According to Wittmier, the suspect is a repeat offender known to campus police and is also being investigated for independent theft charges.

Keeping UW crime statistics online dating back to 2003, numbers show a steady increase from 2003-2005 for larceny and burglary.

In contrast, serious crimes such as aggravated and sexual assault remained constant and incrementally low during the three-year period.

Despite being responsible only for the UW, Wittmier — a veteran of 28 years — still remembers one of the most horrific cases he ever dealt with that occurred in 1991.

"In a double homicide, an ex-boyfriend in California found out his former girlfriend was attending UW," he said. "The boyfriend found her with a male friend on campus and shot them both."

Notwithstanding extreme cases of violence that have occurred on campus in the past, UW freshman Rachel Johnston said she feels completely safe as she commutes around campus by foot.

"When I walk home from Odegaard late at night," she said, "it's comforting to know that the campus feels safe enough for everyone to be out even during after dark."

Reach reporter Nathan Lee at news@thedaily.washington.edu.


0 Comments


Post a comment

Name:


(None, None | Unverified Name)
Login to verify your name

Email:


Required, but not shown.

Comment: