If you missed the good news, according to recently released FBI statistics violent crime in the United States dropped the past year. This has been a positive multi-year trend since 2019.
Overall, violent crime declined in the United States by an estimated 3% in 2023 from the year before, according to the FBI report released in September. Murders and non-negligent manslaughter also dropped nearly 12%.
That is the good news if you live outside of the state of Washington.
Here is the bad news for the rest of us:
According to FBI data analyzed by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, (WASPC), rates of violent crime have surged nearly 20% in our state since 2019. Rates of robberies in Washington have increased almost 20% since 2019, while the national rate decreased by 18%.
And it isn’t only violent crime that our communities are experiencing. While car thefts are up 45% nationwide, Washington state residents have seen a 110% increase in car thefts — over double the national average compared to four years ago.
Why is Washington going in the wrong direction? I would point to bad public policy with no accountability in Olympia.
In my short time as a state representative in Olympia, I have fought against legislative Democrats limiting our state to the fewest number of law enforcement officers per capita in the nation; banning police pursuits of criminals; waiving court fees and penalties paid by criminals that help victim services; and decriminalizing the possession of dangerous drugs. Those are just some of the policies passed by the majority that prioritize the rights of criminals over victims and the rest of Washington.
You might think this op-ed is too partisan. However, it is important to note that during this increase in crime, Washington state politics has been monopolized by one political party. House Democrats have been in power of the Washington state House of Representatives since 2002, the past 22 years. Senate Democrats have been in power of the Washington state Senate since 2018, the past seven years. Democrats have been in power of the governor’s office and state agencies since 1985; the past 40 years.
Although public safety may not be directly on the ballot this year, balanced and accountable government is always on the ballot through the people we choose to represent our communities and values. If one party controls everything you can expect the same or worse.
Several bills introduced or passed by House Democrats in 2023-2024 that are likely to return during the 2025-2026 legislative sessions, include:
House Bill 1268 that reduces the sentence for criminals that commit gun, gang and drug crimes around schools, parks and bus stops; House Bill 2001 that allows murders, like the Green River Killer Gary Ridgway, to vote, serve on a jury and hold public office; and House Bill 1169 eliminating crime victim penalties imposed by courts on criminals to help victims recover.
I hope you agree that this is the wrong direction for Washington.
On the other side, House Republicans have introduced bills and amendments to hold criminals accountable, create realistic pathways to rehabilitation, recruit and compensate law enforcement officers, and help make our homes, businesses and neighborhoods safer. We must protect the most vulnerable in our community and prioritize the rights of victims over criminals. Our House Republican plan is outlined at HouseRepublicans.wa.gov.
In the 2020 presidential general election, 16% of voters, over 750,000, failed to vote. In the 2024 presidential primary election, 59% of voters, 2.8 million Washingtonians, failed to vote. Voting is the best way to have your voice and values heard. Be sure to register to vote, update your information and learn more about the election deadlines at sos.wa.gov.
Although you won’t have the issue of crime directly on your ballot like the other four initiatives, the issue of crime is on the ballot through the candidates you elect to address the rise in crime in our state. Voters will have a choice in November to choose the same failed policies of the past four years, or chart a new path where safety is our priority. I encourage you to get involved, stay involved and vote.
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State Rep. Peter Abbarno is a Republican lawmaker who represents the 20th Legislative District. He is an attorney based in Centralia.
