Less traffic reports, but more investigations

It’s been another busy year for the Airway Heights Police Department

According to crime statistics provided by the department, there were 2,931 recorded incidents from January to June this year. This is down from last year’s number of 3,145 from January to May 2014, however it’s up from incidents that happened in the same timeframe in 2013 (2,802).

While overall crime stats are down, the Police Department conducted 599 reports, investigations and arrests, which is an increase over last year’s number of 573.

Traffic incidents continue to decline. From January to June there were at 689 traffic incidents, 73 less than last year’s number of 762. Traffic stops, tickets and driving while license suspended incidents led the category. Non-injury collisions decreased from 30 to 25.

“We are doing less traffic offenses and more non-traffic criminal investigations, which increases our time on calls,” Sgt. Robert Swan wrote in an email.

Police Chief Lee Bennett explained that a non-traffic incident, such as a misdemeanor theft call, could take a minimum of 2 1/2 hours to process.

“The public doesn’t realize that it’s not like on TV where you put someone in jail and that’s the end of it,” Bennett said. “There’s paperwork and booking, and following up with the investigation.”

The northeast portion of the city still counts for most of the criminal activity (54 percent) with 1,558 incidents, which is down 16 from last year’s number of 1,574. The northwest section came in second with 653 incidents. The southeast portion of the city had 518 and southwest had 302. In all portions of the city, the three biggest incidents were code violations, (377), suspicious person/vehicle/circumstances (371) and traffic stops (353)

Incidents where officers responded to Northern Quest Casino dropped from 380 to 262 calls. Similar to 2014, the majority of the incidents were traffic violations, agency assists and warrant arrests. Overall, agency assistance reports were at 383, 64 more than last year.

The Police Department also went through some changes in personnel the last six months. Code enforcement officer Steven Makar retired from the department and officer Curtis Tucker was promoted to his position. The department hired Officer Ericka Rose in May and it is also looking to hire two additional officers this year. In 2016, the department will sign up with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office for their records system.

“It’s still busy as usual,” Bennett said. “Airway Heights is just, and always has been a busy town.”

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].