"We think it's a win-win for everyone," Pasco Police Chief Denis Austin said.

Local law enforcement has a new plan to tackle high profile crimes like hostage situations, standoffs, drug rings in the Tri-Cities. It's a brand new SWAT team will crack down on risky situations to keep you safe.

They haven't worked together like this since the 90s. But now all local law enforcement are forming a regional SWAT team.

The Benton County Sheriff said this new team will help police and deputies keep our community safe despite money issues.

Officers average a dozen calls for SWAT in Benton County a year.

The team will suit up officers from Benton County, Richland, Kennewick and Pasco.

"Consolidating one team, if you want to call it that, will get a bigger bang for your buck, but to also help the ever-increasing needs that we have," Benton County Sheriff Larry Taylor said.

The group has already been training together for a couple of years. The team should be a go in a couple weeks.

LOCAL CRIME STATISTICS

But don't let the tanks, kevlar and assault rifles fool you. Police and Sheriffs announced Thursday, the Tri Cities is still one of the safest communities in the nation.

Here are the combined numbers for local agencies:

Overall crime is down seven percent.

Non- violent crimes like burglary, theft, and arson are down.

But violent crimes spiked by five percent. That includes rape, robbery and assault.

Police point to the "crime rate" to show how safe your family is. This shows the likelihood of being a victim of a crime. Last year, the crime rate was 30 per 1,000 people.

That's way lower than the state average of 43.

JUGGALOS GIVE RICHLAND POLICE TROUBLE

The numbers are even better in Richland where crime is nearly half the national average.

But the city's still got people causing trouble.

Just recently, Richland Police said they're dealing with a group of vandals who call themselves Juggalos. They're fans of the music group Insane Clown Posse.

We've distorted their pictures so as not to give them any notoriety for their bad deeds.

Action News shows you what they're up to.