Drug arrests up 402 in Federal Way, while others dropped

The Federal Way Police Department has reported a staggering 402% increase in drug arrests, contrasting with a broader trend of declining crime rates in the city. Mayor Jim Ferrell attributes this spike to recent legislative changes, particularly Initiative 2113, which reinstated police officers' ability to engage in vehicular pursuits. Overall crime in Federal Way has decreased by more than 11% year-over-year, with notable drops in violent crimes such as murder (down 50%) and robbery (down 42%). Ferrell emphasizes that individuals involved in drug use are often in crisis and may commit other crimes, highlighting the importance of addressing drug-related issues for community safety. He explained that past laws required police to issue two warnings before pursuing drug offenses, effectively leading to a de facto legalization of drugs.

With the changes in legislation, the Federal Way Police Department can now hold offenders accountable, contributing to the dramatic increase in drug arrests. Ferrell remains optimistic about the downward trend in crime rates, hoping to see continued improvements across various categories. The statistics underscore a complex relationship between drug enforcement and overall crime trends in the city.