KENNEWICK, Wash. – The Kennewick Police Department released its 2024 annual crime analysis report, revealing changes in crime statistics over the past year.
The report showed a 1% increase in total crime but highlighted a nearly 30% rise in drug offenses.
Commander Isaac Merkl explained a recent development that has helped police address drug-related issues.
“We did change the Kennewick municipal code to allow us to arrest for public use and possession,” Commander Merkl said.
The Criminal Apprehensions Team reported collecting more than 100 grams of meth and over 1,200 fentanyl pills in 2024. Meanwhile, violent crime saw a 16% decrease, with just under 400 total reports.
“We’re constantly using each one of the units inside the department to try to find ways to affect that violent crime,” Commander Merkl said. “That’s not something the community should have to deal with, which is why we’re very proactive in the fact that we want to hold people accountable.”
Merkl noted that officers are vigilant about monitoring crime trends every week.
“We do have our crime-fighting strategy meeting that happens every week to help us look at the last seven days and 21 days and see what those statistics are doing. So when you see this yearly report, we’re actually looking at those every week to see where those statistics are at and how we can focus our efforts,” Commander Merkl said.
For more details on the Kennewick Police Department’s initiatives and the full crime report, visit its website.
