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Police: Crime down in 10 of 12 categories in 2024, but minor offenses rose
Summary
Chief McCoy told the Washington City Council that crime decreased in 10 of 12 categories in 2024 compared with 2023, while part-two (minor) offenses and certain arrests tied to retail calls increased; the report required no action and had no financial impact.
Chief McCoy presented the Washington Police Department’s 2023–24 crime comparison to the City Council on Jan. 21, saying that crime fell in 10 of 12 categories in 2024 but that part-two (minor) offenses rose.
"In 10 of the 12 categories crime was down in 2024," Chief McCoy summarized. He said Washington experienced an increase in part-two offenses — "Washington had 803 more in 2024 than in 2023" — and attributed a large portion of that increase to calls from a local Walmart tied to drug-related incidents. The chief also said arrests in one referenced category rose to 257 in 2024 from 55 in 2023.
Chief McCoy described other metrics: officer-initiated activities increased by 260 contacts, and the investigations unit (led by Sergeant Steve Smith and Detective Steve Hinin) conducted 108 investigations across offense types. The most frequent investigations were sex offenses (38 incidents), financial crimes (31), felony theft (21) and burglaries (11). The department investigated five deaths and pursued several cases with Homeland Security, resulting in federal charges for some individuals.
Council members asked clarifying questions about water/ice-rescue equipment and body-camera considerations during aquatic rescues; Chief McCoy said police and fire personnel are trained for ice and water rescue and that police vehicles are equipped with ice-rescue gear, but he did not describe fire department camera policies for water rescues.
The chief told the council there was no financial impact and no action required from the body based on the report.
