CRIME REPORT

2022

Seattle Police Department

Release Date: February 2023
Website: www.seattle.gov/police
Follow Us
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS _________________________________________________ 3
CRIME _______________________________________________________________ 4
Overview ________________________________________________________________ 4
Rates ___________________________________________________________________ 5
Seasonality _______________________________________________________________ 6
Violent Crime _____________________________________________________________ 6
Gun Violence _____________________________________________________________ 8
Property Crime ___________________________________________________________ 12

BIAS _______________________________________________________________ 14
ARRESTS ____________________________________________________________ 15
COMPUTER-AIDED DISPATCHED EVENTS ___________________________________ 17
Response Time ___________________________________________________________ 18
Repeat Locations _________________________________________________________ 19

COMMUNITY SURVEYS ________________________________________________ 20

Seattle University Public Safety Survey __________________________________________ 20
Zencity Survey ___________________________________________________________ 20

Dashboard Links
Arrest Dashboard
Bias Dashboard
CAD Dashboard
Crime Dashboard
MCPP Dashboard
Trust & Safety Dashboard
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Seattle Police Department (SPD) would like to acknowledge the victims, families and
communities impacted by the events contained within this report. The SPD recognizes that these data
represent much more than facts and figures and shares this information and analysis to promote
transparency, community dialogue, and the critical partnerships needed to address public safety.

The following report contains dynamic data, which are impacted by delayed reporting, classification
changes and investigative updates. The SPD does its best to ensure that these data are statistically
stable, to yield the most accurate results. For the most up-to-date data, please visit our interactive
dashboards via the SPD website, which are updated on a reoccurring basis.

We would like to thank the various members of the SPD that contributed to this report, including the
Communications Center, Officers in the field, Data Center, Investigators, and the analytic teams, for
their prowess and committed diligence to the data and the lives they impact.

Sincerely,
SPD Data-Driven Team
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CRIME

Overview
Overall citywide crime increased by four percent (1,834) compared to 2021. The percentages may
appear lower but reported crime for 2021 was at an all-time high. 2022 totals have now exceeded
that with 49,577 reported violent and property crimes. Aggravated Assault and Motor Vehicle Theft
were significantly high in 2022 when compared to a five-year weighted average.

Citywide Crime Comparison Table

OFFENSE CATEGORY OFFENSE 2022 2021 AMT CHANGE % CHANGE
VIOLENT HOMICIDE 52 42 10 24%
RAPE 281 270 11 4%
ROBBERY 1,760 1,755 5 0%
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT 3,498 3,326 172 5%
VIOLENT TOTAL 5,591 5,393 198 4%
PROPERTY ARSON 181 224 -43 -19%
BURGLARY 8,657 9,826 -1,169 -12%
LARCENY-THEFT 28,228 26,976 1,252 5%
MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT 6,920 5,324 1,596 30%
PROPERTY TOTAL 43,986 42,350 1,636 4%
GRAND TOTAL 49,577 47,743 1,834 4%

“Crime increased by four percent in 2022 compared to 2021.”

Violent and Property Crime by Year

(2008-2022)
60,000
49,577
47,743
50,000 44,730 44,019
41,945 42,925 42,880 42,275 43,236
39,082 40,651
36,621 36,956 35,791 36,115
40,000
Total Crime

30,000

20,000

10,000

0
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Year
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Rates
Crime rates are calculated based upon the Office of Financial Management (OFM) population totals
for the City of Seattle. Rates confer an advantage over totals because they represent the number of
crime incidents relative to population size. While crime rates are not a proxy for understanding how
likely any given person is to be a victim of a crime, they allow statements to be made about how
much crime takes place within the city's population.

The violent crime rate for the City of Seattle increased from 729 per 100,000 in 2021 to 736 per
100,000 in 2022. Property crime rates increased slightly from 5,730 to 5,784 per 100,000 for 2022.

“The violent crime rate reached a 15-year high in 2022.”

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Seasonality
The fourth quarter of 2022 yeilded a downward trend compared to previous quarters and the prior
year. Notable reductions were observed in Aggravated Assualt and Larceny-Theft.

Citywide Crime by Month

“Crime decreased during the fourth quarter of 2022.”

Violent Crime
Violent Crime increased by four percent (198). Increases came from Homicides (up 24%) and
Aggravated Assaults (up five percent).
• Homicide totals were at 52 in 2022, which is the second highest total recorded after
2020 (53).
• Aggravated Assault totals continue to be the highest reported in the last 10 years.
Shootings and shots fired events live within this category.

SPD conducted 60 new homicide investigations in 2022. Fifty-two of those incidents met the Federal
Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) definition of
Criminal Homicide, which includes Murder and Nonnegligent Manslaughter and Negligent
Manslaughter. Other types of investigations include officer-involved shootings (OIS), justifiable
homicide, and delayed deaths where the act of violence occurred in a prior year. For more
information visit SPD Use of Force Reporting and Investigation Manual.
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FBI NIBRS-based Criminal Homicide Summary (N=52)

There were 52 homicide incidents with 55 victims in 2022. Of those, 73% (38) died from gun violence,
13% (7) from knives, six percent (3) by blunt force, four percent (2) unknown at time of the report,
two percent (1) by body force, and two percent (1) with a vehicle.

Forty-five percent (25) of victims were White, 35% (19) were Black or African American, 13% (7) were
Asian/Pacific Islander, four percent (2) were American Indian/Alaska Native, and four percent (2)
were Unknown at time of the report. There was a 127% (14) increase in White victims and a 27% (7)
decrease in Black or African American victims in 2022 when compared to 2021.

Thirty-seven percent
(17) of victims were
in the 25-34 age
group followed by
22% (10) in the 35-49
age group. The 20-24
age group saw a 55%
(5) reduction
compared to 2021
totals. In 2022,
homicides with a
homeless nexus
increased by 11
incidents compared
to 2021. Homicides
with a domestic
violence nexus
increased by four
incidents compared
to 2021.
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Gun Violence1
Shooting and Shots Fired events were at an all-
time high in 2022. 2021 was the previous all-time
high on record, followed by 2020.

In 2022, there were 739 verified criminal

shootings and shots fired citywide. This represents
“Gun violence reached
a 11-year high in 2022.”
a 19% (119) increase compared to 2021, a 69%
(303) increase compared to 2020 and 125% (410)
increase compared to pre-pandemic totals in 2019.

In 2022, there were 39 fatal shootings and 157 non-fatal shootings. This represents a 13% (22)
increase in overall shootings (fatal and non-fatal) compared to 2021, a 62% (75) increase compared to
2020, and a 104% (100) increase compared to 2019. There was a 22% (97) increase in evidentiary
shots fired (without injury) compared to 2021, a 72% (228) increase compared to 2020, and a 133%
(310) increase compared to 2019, based on ballistic evidence and eyewitness testimony.

1 Shootings and Shots fired events include non-injury firearm-related incidents (Shots Fired) and Shootings which are firearm-related
incidents that resulted in injury or death at the time of the incident. Self-inflicted and Officer-involved shootings are not included. Counts
are based on distinct count of Report and do not represent the number of victims.
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Shootings & Shots Fired by Neighborhood

In ascending order, the three neighborhoods with the overall largest shootings and shots fired
increases compared to the previous year, are Chinatown/International District (West),
Brighton/Dunlap (South), and Northgate (North).

Citywide Shootings and Shots Fired by Density

“Gun violence was more concentrated in 2022 compared to 2021.”

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Shootings & Shots Fired Victim Demographics

In 2022, there were 196 shootings with 219 victims identified at the time of the event. This is a five
percent (10) increase in victims from 2021, a 43% (66) increase from 2020 and a 101% (110) increase
from 2019 victim totals.

The bar graph below shows the total victims by race. In 2022, 42% (93) of shooting victims were Black
or African American which was a 15% reduction (16) compared to 2021, 37% (82) were White, which
had the biggest increase over last year at 67% (33), 11% (23) had no race listed at the time of
reporting, nine percent (19) were Asian/Pacific Islander, and one percent (2) were American Indian or
Alaska Native.

The population pyramid below the bar graph shows the distribution of shooting victims by age group
and sex. Female victims represented 10% (21) of the total victims while males were 90% (198) of the
total victims identified at the time of the event. Sixty-two percent (63) of victims were in the 25-34
age group, followed by 31% (61) in the 35-49 age group, which had a 42% (18) increase over 2021.
The 20-24 age group made up 12% (20) of victims and had a 49% (22) decrease over 2021.
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Shootings and Shots Fired Investigation Findings

Sixteen percent of overall shootings and shots fired events contained a homeless nexus. In addition,
16% of shootings and shots fired events involved uncooperative subjects. The percent of nightlife-
related shootings and shots fired nearly doubled in 2022 compared to 2021. There were 3,883 total
casing recovered in 2022, an increase of 1,033 recovered casings compared to 2021.

Firearms Taken into Custody

A total of 1,349 firearms were taken into custody by SPD in 2022. Firearms taken into custody are not
all related to criminal activity and may also include surrenders, forfeitures, found property and can be
temporarily or permanently in custody. Of the 1,349 firearms in SPD possession, five percent (66)
were identified as privately-made, un-serialized firearms.

Firearms Taken into SPD Custody

(2010-2022)
1600
1,408
1,349
1400 1,280
1,235
1,127
1200 1,053
928 945
Total Firearms

1000 839
824 791 793
800 664

600

400

200

0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Year

“SPD received its second highest number of firearms on record in 2022.”

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Property Crime
Property Crime increased by four percent (1,636) compared to 2021. Increases were primarily from
Motor Vehicle Theft (30%), which were the highest reported in 15 years. A general increase was
observed across the City, in addition to the noted increase in TikTok-inspired motor vehicle thefts of
Hyundai and Kia.

Top 10 Stolen Vehicle Makes

Rank 2021 2022
1 Honda Ford
2 Ford Honda
3 Toyota Toyota
4 Chevrolet Chevrolet
5 Subaru Hyundai
6 Nissan Kia
7 Dodge Subaru
8 GMC GMC
9 Mazda Nissan
10 Volkswagen Dodge

Reported Motor Vehicle Thefts by Year

8,000

7,000

6,000
Total MVT Reports

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Year

“Hyundai & Kia joined the top 10 most stolen vehicle makes in 2022.”
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Northgate, Roosevelt/Ravenna, Queen Anne and Capitol Hill had the highest neighborhood
concentrations for motor vehicle theft in 2022. While Northgate, Ballard North, Queen Anne, Capitol
Hill, Central Area/Squire Park and North Beacon Hill experienced the largest neighborhood increases
from the prior year. Sixty-nine percent of stolen vehicles were recovered in the city.

“Approximately 70% of “Motor vehicle theft

stolen vehicles were reached a 15-year high
recovered within the city in 2022.”
limits in 2022.”

Motor Vehicle Theft by Neighborhood

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BIAS
To enforce the federal, state, and local malicious harassment laws, SPD’s Bias Crimes Coordinator
tracks bias-based incidents/crime throughout the city.

Citywide Bias Category Table

BIAS 2022 2021 AMT CHANGE % CHANGE
HATE CRIME 121 140 -19 -14%
BIAS INCIDENT 304 369 -65 -18%
CRIME WITH BIAS ELEMENTS 455 435 20 5%
GRAND TOTAL 880 944 -64 -7%

• The total reported bias incidents/crime decreased by 7% (64) in 2022 compared to 2021.
• Bias incidents decreased by 18% (65) and hate crimes decreased by 14% (19) compared to
2021.

“Total bias incidents/crimes decreased by seven percent in 2022.”

Specific Bias Category

There was a significant decrease in certain bias categories in 2022. Specifically, there was a 25% (11)
decrease in bias crimes involving religion, a 17% (110) decrease in bias crimes involving
race/ethnicity/ancestry group, and a 6% (2) decrease in bias crimes involving gender identity
compared to 2021. However, bias crimes involving homelessness in 2022 increased 229% (16) over
2021.

“Bias incidents/crimes
involving homelessness
increased 229% in 2022.”
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ARRESTS
An arrest occurs when an individual is physically restrained by law enforcement, based on probable
cause that a crime has been committed. Arrest reports are person-based reports and can include
other crimes from prior dates and locations, e.g., warrants. Not all arrests result in a detention or
booking. For more information, please visit the SPD Arrest Manual.

• A total of 10,596 arrest reports were written in 2022, a 15% (1,421) increase over 2021.
• Community-generated calls resulted in 7,493 arrests in 2022, a six percent (434) increase
compared to 2021.
• Officer-generated calls resulted in 3,033 arrests, a 46% (961) increase from 2021.

“Arrest reports resulting from officer-generated

calls for service increased 46% in 2022.”
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Arrestees

• A total of 7,753 distinct individuals were arrested in 2022, an 18% (1,174) increase over 2021.
• Among the total distinct arrestees, 21% (1,630) were arrested at least twice in 2022.

“Twenty-one percent of arrestees were

arrested more than once in 2022.”
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COMPUTER-AIDED DISPATCHED EVENTS

The top community-generated computer-
aided dispatch (CAD) events in 2022 were
classified as General Disturbances,
Suspicious Circumstances and Traffic-
related. The top officer-generated CAD
events in 2022 were Premise Checks,
Traffic and Directed Patrol.

2022 CAD Events by Final Clearance Type

Community-generated vs. Officer-generated

• SPD handled 341,178 CAD events at all priority levels in 2022; a one percent (4,720) increase from
2021.
• Twenty-five percent (85,545) of calls were officer-generated; 75% (255,633) were community-
generated.
• There was a six percent (5,158) increase from 2021 in officer-generated events, while community-
generated calls remained at the same level compared to 2021.
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Community-generated vs. Officer-generated CAD Events by Year

“Three-quarters of police responses were reactionary in 2022.”

Response Time
• There was no significant change in priority one response time in 2022 compared to 2021.
• The 2022 median response time for dispatched CAD events, was 7.2 minutes, with an average
response time 10.3 minutes.
• The histogram below shows the 2022 distribution for priority one response times. Based on the
skewness of the data, the median is relied on as a more representative measure than the mean
(average); similar to that of household median income.
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• In 2022, officers responded to 49% (21,829) of priority one CAD events within 7 minutes, a 3%
increase compared to 2021.

“Priority one response time was approximately seven minutes in 2022.”

Repeat Locations
The top three dispatched locations in 2022 were shopping plazas containing retail businesses.
Number four and five were an apartment complex and tow lot, respectively.

Address Place Name Events

3820 RAINIER AV S Rainier Valley Square 681
302 NE NORTHGATE WY Northgate Mall 643
2600 SW BARTON ST Westwood Village 518
308 4 AV S Addison Apartments 496
12220 Aurora AV N Lincoln Towing 448

“The top five dispatched locations accounted for nearly

3,000 police responses alone in 2022.”
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COMMUNITY SURVEYS

Seattle University Public Safety Survey

Seattle University, in partnership with SPD, conducted its eighth annual public safety survey from
October 15 through November 30, 2022. The survey collects data at the neighborhood level using
SPD’s Micro-Community Policing Plan (MCPP) defined neighborhoods. At the citywide level, Seattle
University identified the following top public safety concerns among 10,331 survey respondents:

Seattle – Citywide (2022 N=10,331)

2022 Top Public Safety Concerns

1 – Property Crime
2 – Police Capacity
3 – Homelessness
4 – Traffic Safety
5 – Community & Public Safety Capacity

The full report of 2022 survey findings will be released by

Seattle University in 2023. Visit Micro-Community
Policing Plans for more information on the partnership
and past reports.

“Property crime and homelessness were in the top three cited public
safety concerns among both community surveys in 2022.”

Zencity Survey
The Blockwise survey by Zencity measures community members’ sense of safety and trust in police
and identifies top safety concerns. Residents are surveyed through ads on various digital platforms. In
total, the survey collected data from 9,450 respondents in 2022.
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To garner perceptions of trust and safety, the survey asks residents the following questions:
• When it comes to the threat of crime, how safe do you feel in your neighborhood? Please
indicate on a scale of 0 (not safe at all) to 10 (completely safe).
• How much do you agree with this statement? The police in my neighborhood treat local
residents with respect.
• How much do you agree with this statement? The police in my neighborhood listen to and
take into account the concerns of local residents.

In May 2022, citywide perception of safety reached its high and perception of trust reached its low
for the year, although there was minimal variation in trust and safety scores throughout the year.

To understand residents’ top safety concerns, the survey asks, “What is the number one issue or
problem on your block or in your neighborhood that you would like the police to deal with? Please be
specific.” From the open-ended responses, residents’ top safety concerns for 2022 were Theft,
Burglary, and Break-ins (23%), Homelessness (21%), and Drugs (17%).

Blockwise survey results are published monthly on the Trust & Safety Dashboard.
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