Ups and downs in Tri-Cities crime
TRI-CITIES, Wash. -- A violent weekend adds to a worrying trend in the Tri-Cities. Action News is always tracking the crime in your neighborhood and this time it could be more serious than you think.
A wide spread increase in serious crimes around the Tri-Cities has families worried.
Public defender, Eric Hsu explains "Drive by shootings, stabbings, assaults, those are on the rise, I can see that."
Just last night, there were two drive-by shootings in Kennewick, just a half hour a part.
One neighbor comments, "That's really scary."
Ryan Prentice lives off of Kennewick Ave. and is worried about her neighborhood.
"Because my children play outside everyday since the weather's been nice."
Police say spikes in crimes like this often come with the warm weather, but Public defenders say this trend has been a long time in the making.
Take a look at this graph. Our area has gone from a little over 40 arrests for class A felonies in December to almost 80 last month. Class A felonies are for crimes like shootings, stabbings, and assaults.
Ryan doesn't have to see the numbers to make her own observations.
"I think this year's been worse than 2011. Once 2012 hit, it's been pretty bad with crimes."
There is one trend going downward.. And it's the court that affects the majority of us.
"in both counties, so far this year, district court cases have been going down." "A lot of traffic, DUIs, driving while having a suspended license, minor theft."
How can we stop this trend? Neighborhood crime watches have proved to be very successful in the Tri-Cities in lowering serious crimes and police encourage your neighborhood to start one.
More arrests could also mean more reports, helping police get these criminals off the street. Police still don't have any suspects in last night's drive-by shootings. At this point, they do not believe it was gang related.
A wide spread increase in serious crimes around the Tri-Cities has families worried.
Public defender, Eric Hsu explains "Drive by shootings, stabbings, assaults, those are on the rise, I can see that."
Just last night, there were two drive-by shootings in Kennewick, just a half hour a part.
One neighbor comments, "That's really scary."
Ryan Prentice lives off of Kennewick Ave. and is worried about her neighborhood.
"Because my children play outside everyday since the weather's been nice."
Police say spikes in crimes like this often come with the warm weather, but Public defenders say this trend has been a long time in the making.
Take a look at this graph. Our area has gone from a little over 40 arrests for class A felonies in December to almost 80 last month. Class A felonies are for crimes like shootings, stabbings, and assaults.
Ryan doesn't have to see the numbers to make her own observations.
"I think this year's been worse than 2011. Once 2012 hit, it's been pretty bad with crimes."
There is one trend going downward.. And it's the court that affects the majority of us.
"in both counties, so far this year, district court cases have been going down." "A lot of traffic, DUIs, driving while having a suspended license, minor theft."
How can we stop this trend? Neighborhood crime watches have proved to be very successful in the Tri-Cities in lowering serious crimes and police encourage your neighborhood to start one.
More arrests could also mean more reports, helping police get these criminals off the street. Police still don't have any suspects in last night's drive-by shootings. At this point, they do not believe it was gang related.
