EPD 2024 Report Shows Crime Reduction, Mental Health Growth

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  Ellensburg Police Department (EPD) reported a 67% decrease in juvenile crime in 2024“During 2024, juvenile crime decreased by 67%, crimes of violence decrease 75% and the total individuals decreased by 56%, but we experienced a juvenile gang related murder.”
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  The decrease in juvenile crime was compared to the previous yearNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  Violent juvenile crime dropped 75% in 2024“During 2024, juvenile crime decreased by 67%, crimes of violence decrease 75% and the total individuals decreased by 56%, but we experienced a juvenile gang related murder.”
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  The department's 2024 Annual Report was presented to the City Council on March 3, 2025“2024 Annual Report Council Presentation Chief Ken Wade March 3, 2025 Introduction 2024 in review.”
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  The report noted a 191% increase in mental health referrals since 2015“In 2015, the Ellensburg Police Department made 171 mental health referrals. During calendar year 2024 that number has increased to 497, a 191% increase over 10 years and it is continuing to grow.”
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  Mental health referrals rose from 171 to 497 in 2024“In 2015, the Ellensburg Police Department made 171 mental health referrals. During calendar year 2024 that number has increased to 497, a 191% increase over 10 years and it is continuing to grow.”
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  The department recorded a 35% decrease in suicidal calls from 2018's peak of 148“In 2018, the highest year, the department responded to 148 suicidal calls. During 2024, we were down to 96 calls, a 35% decrease.”
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  Suicidal calls decreased to 96 in 2024“In 2018, the highest year, the department responded to 148 suicidal calls. During 2024, we were down to 96 calls, a 35% decrease.”
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  There was a 70% reduction in suicide attempts from 47 in 2015“Calls involving a suicide attempt, where officers found evidence that an actual effort to commit suicide occurred, decreased dramatically in 2024, with only 14 calls, a 70% reduction from 2015, where we experienced our highest year, responding to 47 suicide attempts.”
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  Suicide attempts decreased to 14 in 2024“Calls involving a suicide attempt, where officers found evidence that an actual effort to commit suicide occurred, decreased dramatically in 2024, with only 14 calls, a 70% reduction from 2015, where we experienced our highest year, responding to 47 suicide attempts.”
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  EPD's 2024 report highlighted new programs like the Community Health & Safety Experience (CHASE) Program“Community Health & Safety Experience (CHASE) Program – Program to improve policing in the future, in partnership with CWU. This program will expose participants to the reality of todays policing through exposure to homelessness, mental health, substance abuse and our various partners. Through this program CWU students who qualify can receive work experience credits. This program is also open to non-student participants interested in a career in the criminal justice field.”
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  The CHASE Program partners with Central Washington University“Community Health & Safety Experience (CHASE) Program – Program to improve policing in the future, in partnership with CWU. This program will expose participants to the reality of todays policing through exposure to homelessness, mental health, substance abuse and our various partners.”
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  The CHASE Program provides work experience for students in criminal justice“Through this program CWU students who qualify can receive work experience credits. This program is also open to non-student participants interested in a career in the criminal justice field.”
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  The Crime Reduction Program Summary includes initiatives like the Graffiti Abatement Program“Graffiti Abatement Program – Program to remove graffiti in partnership with Morning Rotary.”
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  The Crime Reduction Program Summary includes initiatives like the High-Density Residential Project“High-Density Residential Project – Project to better understand the complexity of apartment living to reduce non-law enforcement calls for service giving control back to the management.”