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Kent police: 2024 homicides fell to 11; department cites staffing, technology and new units
Summary
Kent Police Chief Padilla reported 11 homicides in 2024, an 81% clearance rate and plans to add sergeants, deploy fleet cameras with ALPRs, expand a crime-reduction unit and bring a new records system online.
Chief Padilla of the Kent Police Department reported to the City Council on Jan. 21 that the department recorded 11 homicides in 2024, down from 16 in 2023, and that detectives have solved nine of this year’s cases — an 81% clearance rate.
The chief told the council those figures represent a 31% year-over-year decline and are well above the national homicide clearance average he cited. “If you commit a violent crime in Kent, we have really good tools that at our disposal to try and solve the case and bring you to justice,” Chief Padilla said, noting investments the council approved in video and analytic technology.
The report included a case breakdown: one homicide related to domestic violence; two that began as fights or assaults; three tied to drug trafficking; one robbery with alleged gang ties; two that began as bar fights and escalated to shootings; and one road-rage-related shooting. Chief Padilla said eight of the homicides involved firearms and two were physical…
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