Ellensburg Police Department (EPD) reported a 67% decrease in juvenile crime during 2024 compared to the previous year, with violent juvenile crime dropping 75%, according to the department's March 3, 2025, annual report to the City Council. The report also noted a 191% increase in mental health referrals from 171 in 2015 to 497 in 2024, though there was a 35% decrease in suicidal calls and a 70% reduction in confirmed suicide attempts. Drug enforcement increased 48% in 2024, with no opioid overdose deaths reported compared to nine in 2023. EPD also reported 16,018 incident reports filed (5% fewer than 2023) and 3,131 traffic stops conducted. The department promoted several officers and welcomed new hires, including Officer John Hindmarch.
EPD 2024 Report Shows Crime Trends, Staff Changes
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📄 Source: Local Government — https://www.ci.ellensburg.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/23346/2024-Annual-Rpt-Council-Presentation
Source receipts16 of 19 claims supported · 84%
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- ✓Ellensburg Police Department reported a 67% decrease in juvenile crime during 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.”
- ⚠The decrease in juvenile crime was compared to the previous yearNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
- ✓Violent juvenile crime dropped 75%“• 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.”
- ⚠The department's report was published on March 3, 2025No usable supporting receipt — unverified.
- ⚠The report was submitted to the City CouncilNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
- ✓The report noted a 191% increase in mental health referrals“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.”
- ✓Mental health referrals were 171 in 2015“In 2015, the Ellensburg Police Department made 171 mental health referrals.”
- ✓Mental health referrals were 497 in 2024“During calendar year 2024 that number has increased to 497, a 191% increase over 10 years and it is continuing to grow.”
- ✓There was a 35% decrease in suicidal calls“• In 2018, the highest year, the department responded to 148 suicidal calls. During 2024, we were down to 96 calls, a 35% decrease.”
- ✓There was a 70% reduction in confirmed suicide attempts“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.”
- ✓Drug enforcement increased 48% in 2024“• We had a 48% increase in drug enforcement • Officers responded to 16 non-fatal drug overdoses with the youngest being 17 months-old.”
- ✓No opioid overdose deaths were reported in 2024“During 2024, there was not a single reported controlled substance overdose death.”
- ✓Nine opioid overdose deaths were reported in 2023“In 2023 we had 9.”
- ✓EPD reported 16,018 incident reports filed“16,018 incident reports filed (5% decrease from 2023).”
- ✓Incident reports filed were 5% fewer than in 2023“• 16,018 incident reports filed (5% decrease from 2023).”
- ✓EPD conducted 3,131 traffic stops“3,131 traffic stops were conducted.”
- ✓EPD promoted several officers“Kliff Caillier promoted to Sergeant. Ryan Potter promoted to Corporal, then Sergeant. Christian Alviar promoted to Corporal.”
- ✓EPD welcomed new hires“Officer John Hindmarch joined the department.”
- ✓Officer John Hindmarch was among the new hires“Officer John Hindmarch joined the department.”
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