SNOHOMISH — By the numbers, thefts ticked upward overall during topsy-turvy 2020.
Police Chief Rob Palmer will present crime trends and more at an online town hall Tuesday, March 9 that starts at 6 p.m.
The meeting opens with discussing Snohomish’s contract for law enforcement services. A new five-year deal with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office is coming up.
To attend the meeting, go to www.tinyurl.com/SnoPDmeeting to launch Zoom or call 253-215-8782 and enter meeting number 846 2389 3490 to listen by phone.
A portion of the meeting walks through crime data and material from the Police Department’s recently released 2020 annual report.
There were 12 robberies around Snohomish, a recent high. Commercial burglaries rose to 48, while home burglaries dropped to 22 during 2020. Activity in the Snohomish Station shopping center represents about half of the city’s theft calls, Palmer said earlier this year.
Vehicle thefts crept back to almost 40 stolen cars after a big dip in 2019, and vehicle prowls are up, too.
Vehicle crashes went down by about 25% as people drove less, and there were 38 DUIs logged, down from almost 50 in 2019.
The Police Department’s community outreach officer Rich Niebusch is back from an outside assignment. The veteran officer’s dual roles are to assist homeless and in-crisis individuals and serve as a resource to neighborhoods and other groups.
He’ll give time during the March 9 town hall to speak to how the department is assisting with homelessness, addiction support, and social services.
The report notes that arrests by race generally are in line with Snohomish’s racial makeup.
This year, the department plans to update its speed enforcement equipment in its patrol vehicles, hold more public engagement events and to use data to its advantage for crime-fighting.
The May 31 appearance of armed individuals taking posts along First Street particularly fractured peace in town. The fallout saw Snohomish change police chiefs.
Palmer details the events of May 31, 2020 and the days after in the report. The narrative concludes that “while no property damage occurred, as it did in many other cities and towns, and violence was minimal, the incidents have created fear that continues to resonate with many in our community. Our sense of security has been shaken and racial tensions have been brought out into the open. It is hoped that this fear will dissipate as time goes on, and that the opening of a franker dialogue about race and inequality will lead to real and necessary changes for the better.”
The report can be read at www.tinyurl.com/SnoPDreport
Send questions for town hall
The city hopes people will send questions and comments about the law enforcement contract ahead of time for the town hall. You can send questions by email to city finance manager Debbie Burton at burton@snohomishwa.gov or send mail to City of Snohomish, P.O. Box 1589, Snohomish, WA 98291-1589. You can also drop off material into the city’s Utility Drop Box at City Hall, 116 Union Ave.
