Seattle Police Report Dramatic Drop in Citizen Contacts

Seattle police enforcement of lower-level crimes, traffic offenses and infractions dropped dramatically in recent years as officers displayed less willingness to actively seek out illegal activity, according to a department report released Wednesday.

Photo: Seattle PD via FacebookPhoto: Seattle PD via Facebook

Seattle police enforcement of lower-level crimes, traffic offenses and infractions dropped dramatically in recent years as officers displayed less willingness to actively seek out illegal activity, according to a department report released Wednesday.

The Seattle Times says the reasons remain unclear, but the steep decline came during a period of intense scrutiny of the department over use of force, a federal consent decree requiring sweeping reforms and shifts in prosecution and enforcement standards.

About the Author