Covington reports rise in drug arrests, declines in property crime and auto theft in 2024

A staff member for the City of Covington (role/title not specified) told the meeting that drug arrests rose 86% in 2024 while several categories of property crime declined.

“In 2024, we made great strides in our commitment to the well-being and safety of Covington residents. With the change in state drug laws, our drug arrests were up 86% this past year,” the staff member said. The staff member added that property crime decreased 8% in 2024 for a total decline of about 20% over the past three years, and auto theft fell 21%.

The staff member said the city has worked with retailers on theft-prevention strategies, including CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design), and encouraged reporting to aid investigations. “With an increase in reporting by 26%, we've been able to make an arrest or criminal referral in 36% of retail theft reports,” the staff member said, noting that the city’s rate is at least double that of other King County contract cities.

City staff credited improved cooperation between police and retailers for a rise in organized-retail-crime investigations. The staff member said a new detective assembled 12 organized-retail-crime cases in 2024, up from two in 2023. Commercial burglaries were reported down 56%.

On prosecution, the staff member said the city has prosecuted nearly 96% of cases handled at the city level, and said King County prosecutes roughly 52% of Covington cases the city refers. “We will continue to advocate with King County, encouraging them to prosecute more of our felony cases,” the staff member added.

The remarks presented progress metrics and enforcement priorities; no formal motions or votes were recorded on the topic during the meeting.