Crime down in Everett in 2023, new report says

EVERETT — Murder, sex crimes and other violent offenses were down in 2023 in Snohomish County, according to an annual report released Tuesday by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.

The organization reported an overall decrease in violent and property crime across the state last year. This follows a steady rise in reports the past several years. Offenses like hate crimes and vehicle thefts, however, were up statewide.

The 590-page report compiled data from over 200 law enforcement agencies, including many in Snohomish County.

The state saw 376 murders in 2023, a 5.8% decrease from 2022, the data says. Violent crime decreased by 5.5%, according to the data. In 2022, the state had the highest number of murders since 1980, at 394.

In Everett, police reported a 1.5% decrease in overall crime in 2023.

“While it’s always great to see crime data trending down, the reality is we are still seeing a significant number of serious offenses and nuisance crimes occurring in our community,” city spokesperson Simone Tarver wrote in an email Tuesday. “These incidents greatly impact our residents and businesses as well as our community’s sense of safety.”

Homicides decreased slightly in Everett, going from 12 in 2022 to 10 last year. In 2022, Snohomish County recorded 24 murders, double the previous year. For example, Everett saw just four murders in 2021.

Burglaries, defined by state law as unlawfully entering a building with a weapon or assaulting a person, decreased by nearly 10%, according to the data. Robberies, in which a person uses force to take personal property from another, rose by about 2% in Everett.

Motor vehicle theft in Everett increased by 23% in 2023, with 1,268 reported incidents.

Rapes dropped 15%, while other sex crimes like fondling decreased by 37%, according to the report.

Simple assaults, typically a gross misdemeanor, increased almost 3%. Aggravated assault, a felony that could cause severe bodily harm or death, decreased by about 12%.

Meanwhile in unincorporated Snohomish County, the sheriff’s office reported a 3.2% decrease in overall crime. A spokesperson from the sheriff’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Deputies reported homicides doubled in 2023, increasing from 3 to 6, however.

The report noted a dramatic drop in property crime, with burglaries decreasing by over 20% and robberies by 24%. Motor vehicle theft, however, increased dramatically by 28.6%.

Rapes fell 30% from 2022, according to the report.

Assaults increased, with simple assaults up by 21.3% and aggravated assault by 3.4%.

Hate crimes statewide rose 6% last year. The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office reported nine hate crimes, including three against people with disabilities. That was up from five in 2022. Everett police reported 16 incidents, including seven against members of the LGBTQ+ community. Unlike much of the state, this was down from the previous year.

Hate crimes were down statewide in 2022, with an 8.2% decrease from 2021.

Cities like Marysville, Arlington and Lynnwood saw rises in crime overall.

Maya Tizon: 425-339-3434; maya.tizon@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @mayatizon.