MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — The Mountlake Terrace Police Department has compiled crime statistics for 2004, showing relatively small increases in calls for service, and a 10 percent reduction in reported crime.

According to Police Chief Scott Smith, police responded to 14,102 calls for service and wrote 3,418 case reports.

Violent crime rates (homicide, robbery, rape and aggravated assault) stayed consistent, with robbery and aggravated assault showing greater increases.

However, major violent and non-violent crime decreased by 130 incidents, Smith said.

“The vast majority of them were a result of a decrease in the non-violent property crime of larceny (theft),” he said.

Of the total major crimes, 35 percent were cleared, which continues to be above the national average, he said.

Burglaries were up slightly, as were arsons. Domestic violence assaults are down by nearly 14 percent. However, all other misdemeanor assaults are up by 37.5 percent, Smith said.

“The detectives’ unit continues to have an excellent clearance rate of nearly 73.5 percent, which equates to 233 cases out of 317 assigned,” he said.

The number of auto thefts has declined in 2004 from the previous year.

“Auto theft continues to plague the entire state and it is always good news when we see a decrease – or at least no increase – for the year,” Smith said.

Also, the traffic accident rate continues to decline with a 34.8 percent reduction, the highest percentage in reduction for the last 5 years.