BI council to learn about crime increase Feb. 28

Crime continues to rise on Bainbridge Island, the City Council will learn at Tuesday’s meeting.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at City Hall and on Zoom.

The quarterly police report shows crime has been up every quarter of the past year. It shows the highest crime rate against people and the second-highest involving property since 2018. Police have received more calls than last year, but fewer than in previous years.

Traffic stops, citations, collisions and impaired driving numbers are much lower than in pre-COVID years. Arrests of adults have been on a study decline, but juvenile arrests have jumped dramatically in the past year. There have been only nine instances of use of force and one injury, a minor head laceration. Out of 10,046 calls for service, only .09% involved use of force, and there have been just 13 complaints.

Also at the Feb. 28 meeting, the council will discuss pitching in up to $20,000 of $56,000 needed to build a Suquamish tribe welcome pole near the beginning of the Sound to Olympics trailhead in Winslow. Members will also consider setting up a committee to come up with a name for the new police-court facility. The council hopes to select a name by late June.

The council also will be educated on the city’s code of conduct and ethics program. It began in 2006, and applies to city government, including all elected officials and committees. Its purpose is to promote high standards of conduct and optimal operation of government. Qualities include being courteous, honest and fair; displaying respect, integrity, equality and fairness; being transparent; and working for the public good and trust. The ethics committee consists of seven community volunteers.

The council also plans to expand the city definition of bicycles to include electric bikes. It plans to pass a proclamation naming March American Red Cross Month. And on the consent agenda is almost $93,500 to survey and evaluate critical areas for the Wyatt Avenue-Eagle Harbor nonmotorized project.