After a particularly violent August weekend, Seattle, Interim Police Chief Adrian Diaz addressed the city’s violence. In a statement made to reporters, he said the gun violence in Seattle is unacceptable and that people need to put down their guns. That weekend alone, Seattle police responded to six shootings and two deaths. 

Overall in Seattle, there have been more than 100 shootings this year alone compared to 2020. Since 2019, there have been more than 150 more crimes and over 2,000 shell casings recovered at the scene of those crimes. Since 2021 began, Seattle police have removed more than 700 guns from city streets - 100 were removed in August alone. 

“We continue to see more victims being shot each year,” said Diaz. “We’re better than this.”

Diaz stated that the loss of many police officers in the last year hasn’t helped deter criminal activity and violence. As the city grapples with the crime wave, officers have been busy responding to 911 calls instead of engaging in the community. 

Violent Crime on the Rise in Seattle

Violent crimes in Seattle and throughout Washington are on the rise, and no one knows why. In 2020, Washington state set a record high for homicides. That year alone, more than 300 people were killed in homicides across the state. It jumped an astonishing 45 percent that year in spite of the pandemic. 

While violent crimes rose across the country, this was the largest recorded homicide increase in United States history. But why?

Criminologists have theories. One is that the stresses of the pandemic contributed to having more criminals with guns on the streets. That coupled with fewer police officers on the streets led to a record-high number of murders. 

In Seattle, homicides increased 68 percent - a 26-year-high. Some individuals want to blame the “defund the police” campaigns that sprung up in 2020. However, this is not completely accurate. Murder rates actually tripled in politically red parts of the state that didn’t “defund the police.” Some of those cities included Renton, Kent, and Spokane.

Criminology experts wonder how much of the rise in gun violence is from the police withdrawing from communities, and how much is it from communities withdrawing from the police. Data shows that calls to the Seattle Police Department dropped significantly in 2020. Seattle's residents just simply aren’t involving the police as much as before. 

Getting Arrested in Seattle is Serious

Officers and prosecutors are stretched thin during the pandemic and crime waves. As such, getting arrested in Seattle is serious and can have lifelong consequences. Even if you are innocent, you may find yourself caught in the criminal justice system. During this time, you need a strong legal advocate on your side to fight for your rights. 

A criminal defense attorney can help ensure that police and prosecutors do not overstep and violate your rights during the criminal justice process. You have a right to a lawyer, and it is absolutely necessary to contact one before speaking to law enforcement. Without an attorney on your side, you may pay steep consequences that could affect your entire future. 

Contact Our Seattle Criminal Defense Lawyers Today

Our Seattle criminal defense attorneys are here to help you after you’ve been arrested and charged. We can protect your rights and build a solid case to protect your future. The experienced criminal defense lawyers at Lewis & Laws, PLLC, have defended clients in Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, Kirkland, and throughout the state of Washington. Contact us today at 206.209.0608 or fill out our confidential contact form. Call us today!