BELLINGHAM, WA. – A newly released independent report ordered by Whatcom County shows overall crime rates here have been declining since 2015.

The report was conducted by research teams from Washington State University who spent months analyzing crime and legal data from 2015 to mid-2023.

The findings show the overall crime rate dropped by 27% since 2015 with the biggest declines coming from thefts and burglaries which dropped 42 and 43 percent respectively.

The data is based on reported crime, not just arrests or convictions, and shows other types of crimes like motor vehicle theft and homicide rates remaining relatively stable.

The report also details the statistics concerning our local jail and shows that book-and-release practices have increased, shifting the jail composition toward people accused of more serious crimes.

County officials say they will be using the report as part of their ongoing effort to improve the legal system and reduce jail populations.