CRIME TRACKER: Tri-Cities safer now than 20 years ago
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TRI-CITIES, Wash. -- It's actually much safer in the Tri-Cities than in the early 1990s.
The images of shootings, assaults, and robberies are unforgettable. Lately, there's been a spike of violent crime in the Tri-Cities, but longtime homeowners will tell you they still feel safe.
"It's a great place and I think it's sad that it gets a negative reputation," says Pasco resident Michelle Saueressig.
Even though violent crime is up over last year, KEPR Action News discovered it's still down from two decades ago.
In 1991, there were ten violent crimes for every thousand people in Pasco, but last year, that number was down to three crimes per thousand. Additionally, Kennewick, West Richland, and Walla Walla also saw a decrease in the violent crime rate.
Why the reason for the drop? Police tell Action News criminals are changing their tactics.
Twenty years ago there was no internet. While violent crime is down in the Tri-Cities, criminals are now using modern technology to commit their crimes instead of violence.
"You get a lot less penalty if you commit a crime using a computer rather than a pistol," says Capt. Mike Cobb, Richland Police.
Criminals are also facing much stiffer penalties than 20 years, keeping society's most dangerous inmates behind bars longer.
"The only thing you can do is isolate (criminals) to keep society safe as possible," Capt. Cobb tells KEPR.
The numbers are even more impressive when you consider that many police agencies in the Tri-Cities had more manpower 20 years ago than today.
The images of shootings, assaults, and robberies are unforgettable. Lately, there's been a spike of violent crime in the Tri-Cities, but longtime homeowners will tell you they still feel safe.
"It's a great place and I think it's sad that it gets a negative reputation," says Pasco resident Michelle Saueressig.
Even though violent crime is up over last year, KEPR Action News discovered it's still down from two decades ago.
In 1991, there were ten violent crimes for every thousand people in Pasco, but last year, that number was down to three crimes per thousand. Additionally, Kennewick, West Richland, and Walla Walla also saw a decrease in the violent crime rate.
Why the reason for the drop? Police tell Action News criminals are changing their tactics.
Twenty years ago there was no internet. While violent crime is down in the Tri-Cities, criminals are now using modern technology to commit their crimes instead of violence.
"You get a lot less penalty if you commit a crime using a computer rather than a pistol," says Capt. Mike Cobb, Richland Police.
Criminals are also facing much stiffer penalties than 20 years, keeping society's most dangerous inmates behind bars longer.
"The only thing you can do is isolate (criminals) to keep society safe as possible," Capt. Cobb tells KEPR.
The numbers are even more impressive when you consider that many police agencies in the Tri-Cities had more manpower 20 years ago than today.
