WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. – Crime is on the rise in rural parts of Whatcom County and the Sheriff’s Office says it’s part of a bigger problem.
In a press release, the Sheriff’s Office stated that staffing challenges and pandemic-related issues have forced officials to make changes in various areas.
Delays in training and hiring have led to backlogs in getting new deputies out in the field.
As a result, other deputies in specialized positions have been called back to cover basic patrols.
The Whatcom County Jail is also reeling from these changes.
COVID-19, paired with a lack of correctional staff, led to the jail implementing booking restrictions.
Those restrictions often allowed low-risk offenders back into the community, many of which ended up reoffending.
The Sheriff’s Office also noted that since the enactment of statewide police reform legislation, the rate of crime has gone up, especially in unincorporated parts of Whatcom County.
Between the first and second halves of 2021, rates of arson, robberies and vehicle theft saw the highest spike in rural areas.
Officials added that throughout the entire county, violent crimes such as assaulting law enforcement officers have gone up significantly.
A link to a full list of crime data compiled by the Sheriff’s Office can be found here.