Ballard reports 50% increase in home burglaries

Photo courtesy of visitseattle.org



SEATTLE -- Recent crime statistics show that home burglaries in Ballard have more than doubled since last year and the community is meeting next week to discuss how to address the issue.

“There have been 61 forcible entry burglaries in the Ballard area so far this year, more than double the 28 burglaries recorded over the same period in 2012," organizer John Lederer said.

The total number of burglaries reported for the area increased to 126 from 67.

The neighborhood, long viewed as a safe, family-friendly and deeply Scandinavian enclave, has experienced a lot of growth the past few years that includes not only the building of a number of multi-unit housing projects but also a burgeoning business core along Ballard Avenue.

A community meeting to discuss the increase of home burglaries in the neighborhood is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 30 at the Loyal Heights Community Center, 2101 NW 77th St., Room 2 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The meeting will be led by Terrie Johnston, Crime Prevention Coordinator from Seattle Police.

Go here for a document with statistics of crime in Ballard from 2012 and 2013.