Tacoma, Washington

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Site LE Agency
Tacoma Police Department

Site Researcher
Dr. Jessica Huff, UNO School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Site Focus
Violent Crime, Gun Crime

SPI Strategy
Problem-Oriented Policing strategy implementation, Data analysis

Site Cohort
2023

Site Profile
55th largest city in the U.S. with a population of more than 216,000

Project Overview

Tacoma’s violent crime has increased dramatically since early 2021. As of March 2022, the average monthly incidence of violent crimes had increased by about 73% from 2021. The number of violent offenses involving a firearm have also substantially increased since 2021. In an effort to understand and respond to this, the Tacoma Police Department (TPD) has partnered with the University of Texas San Antonio to develop the “Tacoma Police Department Violent Crime Reduction Plan”. This plan is proposed to span from 2022 to 2025, and will include three evidence-based phases: (1) increasing police visibility at crime hot spots and prioritizing deterrence, (2) creating a location-based problem-oriented policing approach, and (3) leading a focused deterrence strategy that focuses on repeat and high-risk offenders.

Data Highlights:

  • Tacoma is home to more than 216,000 citizens and policed by approximately 330 officers
  • Violent street crimes in Tacoma were 73% higher in 2022 than in 2021
  • 69% increase in violent offenses involving a firearm from 2021 to 2022

Methods and Findings