Seattle police use data to fight violence as mayor plans for more officers on the street
SEATTLE -- Seattle’s police chief talked Wednesday about the concern of violence in the city and how her department plans to stop it.
This comes as Mayor Ed Murray wants to add hundreds of more officers to patrol the streets.
Chief Kathleen O’ Toole said the department is using data to pinpoint ways to deal with violence, while the mayor is talking about ways to increase public safety.
“Crime has gone up citywide, especially burglaries, non-residential and residential, as well as car prowls and car break-ins,” said Pat Murakami, with the South Seattle Crime Prevention Council.
Around Seattle, the issue of crime is on many people’s minds.
Murakami says she’s in favor of a plan that will deal with the problem.
“So we haven’t had a net gain in officers and yet the population of Seattle has gone up significantly,” added Murakami.
On Wednesday, at Seattle Police Headquarters, O’ Toole said the department is noting where all the calls of violence are coming from, so that they can focus their resources in those neighborhoods.
Their hope is to cut down on crime in areas that have seen more of it -- like the Rainier Valley.
Police use the real-time crime center to study the calls that come in.
“To determine who the prolific offenders are, where the hot spots are in the city -- and we’re also trying to identify repeat victims to help them and prevent future crimes,” said O’ Toole.
Detectives are studying how the criminal works so they can try and stay ahead of them.
“The car prowler today is your burglary (criminal) tomorrow, your auto thief the next day and they’re the same guy or gal pawning that property,” said Lt. Mike Magee, with Seattle Police.
One way to help fight crime is by adding more officers on the street.
This week, Murray said he wants 200 more officers working the streets by 2019.
He also wants to improve the 911 call center, which has seen a higher call volume over the past six years.
The mayor’s plan would cost $37 million per year; to help pay for the plan, business and occupation taxes would go up.
The mayor is also looking at using money already in the general fund to pay for most of the plan.