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Auburn mayor highlights police hiring, cameras and new forensics gear as safety priorities
Summary
Mayor Nancy Backus told the State of the City audience Auburn is expanding the police force, deploying license-plate cameras and buying forensic equipment after a year with lower overall crime but persistent juvenile violence.
Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus said the city is expanding its public-safety capacity and investing in technology and crime-solving tools as it works to address residents' safety concerns.
“Many of you in Auburn right now feel unsafe,” Mayor Nancy Backus said, noting the city prioritized officer hiring and other measures after reports of graffiti, theft and violent crime. She said the Council approved 10 new commissioned officer positions this year's budget, bringing the total to 128 commissioned officers.
The mayor said Auburn installed 20 license-plate recognition cameras in 2024 and is looking to expand that network. She credited the cameras with helping to locate stolen vehicles and identify suspects who entered the city in vehicles flagged in regional systems.
Mayor Backus also said the city received a grant from the state attorney general’s office “in excess of $200,000” to buy NIBIN equipment that matches shell casings from crime scenes to other shootings and build evidence across jurisdictions. She described the tool as part of broader regional coordination with neighboring cities and King County.
Police staffing and technology were framed alongside prevention and community programs. Backus cited declines in calls for service — “nearly 10%” overall and larger drops in some categories — but emphasized juvenile violence remained a concern, pointing to three juvenile-involved homicides in the prior year.
The mayor said the city is combining enforcement, new programs and partnerships, including community court and peer-support efforts, to reduce repeat involvement and keep people connected to services.
The address did not include a timetable for filling the 10 open officer positions or a detailed procurement schedule for camera expansion. The city attorney and police department were named as partners in regional efforts but specific policy changes for juvenile prosecution were described as ongoing discussions with state lawmakers and county partners.
