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Mount Lake Terrace police report shows steady crime totals, rise in violent assaults and staffing squeeze
Summary
Chief identified in the transcript as 'Pete Comm' presented the police department’s year‑end report: 2025 saw about 782 arrests, a continued downward trend in vehicle thefts, a notable year‑over‑year rise in violent assaults (domestic violence cited), 24 use‑of‑force incidents, and ongoing staffing pressures (28 budgeted commissioned officers; roughly 26–26.5 filled).
Police leadership presented the department’s year‑end report to the Mount Lake Terrace City Council on April 9, highlighting trends, staffing and community programs.
Chief (identified in the transcript as "Pete Comm") and commanders summarized 2025 public‑safety activity: officers made roughly 782 arrests and issued about 242 citations, property‑crime burglary counts remained steady, vehicle thefts continued a downward trend, and violent‑crime data showed a year‑over‑year increase largely driven by assaults, particularly domestic‑violence incidents. The department reported 24 use‑of‑force incidents in 2025 (down from 27 in 2024) and said most individual officer reports involved low‑level physical control techniques.
Presenters emphasized several ongoing programs: accreditation through WASPC, an embedded social‑worker partnership (two days/week of on‑site coverage), an aerial unmanned system (drone) program, upgraded body and vehicle camera systems (Axon), a Victim‑centered domestic‑violence coordinator, community outreach such as self‑defense classes and CERT, and detective training for Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC/IAC) investigations. The department showed video of a PIT (pursuit intervention technique) used in a 2025 pursuit that ended with minimal damage and no injuries.
Council members asked about vehicle‑pursuit outcomes (one collision into a post was reported), whether veteran‑targeted vouchers (VASH) were being used, and staffing impacts from budget proposals. Staff said the department is budgeted for 28 commissioned officers but had approximately 26–26.5 filled positions at the time of the report; council members expressed concern that further staffing reductions would lower service levels and response capacity.
Presenters told the council the department investigates Internet and child‑exploitation tips via affiliation with the Seattle‑led ICAC task force and processes sizeable public‑records and evidence volumes. The session concluded with council praise for training, community engagement, and recruitment efforts, and continued discussion about emergency planning around events and light‑rail impacts.
The report was informational; council did not take formal action during the police presentation.
