By: Kyle Kuhn

Though the year is barely half over, Ellensburg Police Department Capt. Dan Hansberry sees no reason why the crime rate would be on the rise for 2014. The Department’s annual report hasn’t been released (and won’t be until the end of the year) but Hansberry noted some positives.

“We’re not seeing a trend of the crime rate going up,” Hansberry said.

There have been some recent violent crimes which may have led people to think that the crime rate would be above where it was last year. Though the recent crimes have been drawing attention from the community, Hansberry made the point that in smaller communities violent crimes tend to attract more attention. Crimes like homicide and grand theft auto don’t happen that often in Ellensburg (based on the Ellensburg Police Department annual report.)

The EPD’s annual report shows that the crime total in Ellensburg has been dropping over the past decade. The “violent crime” total stays about the same each year. When you compare the violent crime total, to the total calls put out, that’s when you realize how safe this town really is. Violent crimes play a very small role in Ellensburg’s criminal activity.

Having to deal with homicide is all too common for police in large cities. In Ellensburg, homicide is usually a single digit statistic. The EPD takes pride in their jobs and the feeling of safety they provide to the citizens. Having to get used to seeing death and violence on the local news is something you’ll never have to do while living in the city of Ellensburg.