By Dennis Box-The Courier-Herald

The Bonney Lake Police Department released its 2007 statistics and the numbers showed some encouraging signs in the battle against crime.

Most of the major crime categories dropped in the past year, but officers cited a few more alcohol- or drug-impaired drivers.

The department added two officers last year and promoted Dana Hubbard from acting lieutenant to assistant chief. In 2007 two more officers will be added, bringing the department force to 38.

The department will also be adding a K-9 narcotics dog this year.

Chief Mike Mitchell said there is a downward trend nationwide in major crime, “but we've surpassed the trend. We've focused on being proactive and helping people feel safe in their homes.”

Mitchell said one of the reasons for the success is Officer Laura Miller, the department's crime analyst.

Miller collects and analyzes data on crime activity, which allows officers to focus on an area and time of day to watch for criminal activity.

“Vehicle thefts are down dramatically because through crime analysis we could target certain areas and times,” Mitchell said. “We sent out detectives and officers and we were able to stop a crime ring.”

Mitchell said credit goes to the City Council and mayor for funding the crime analyst position.

“The Bonney Lake Police Department and the chief have done excellent work with the community and the businesses to help them understand the type of crime they are facing,” Mayor Neil Johnson said. “The department is paying attention and they work well with their police partners around the area.”

The “total crime” category, which includes both violent and property crimes, was down 16.3 percent from 2006. The total for 2006 was 775 incidents and 649 for 2007.

Under the “violent crime” category, there were five rapes reported in 2006 and three in 2007.

There was one reported armed robbery each year and four strong-arm robberies in 2006 and three in 2007.

Aggravated assaults totaled 24 in 2007 and 33 in 2006. Simple assaults bumped up with 149 in 2007 to 145 in 2006.

Arson dropped by two with five in 2007 and seven in 2006.

There was a 19 percent drop in auto theft from 57 in 2006 to 46 in 2007.

Residential burglaries dropped 18 percent from 64 in 2006 to 52 in 2007. Nonresidential burglaries went from 32 to 29, about a 9 percent drop.

Thefts from a vehicle fell nearly 50 percent with 158 in 2006 to 80 last year.

Shoplifting increased from 110 to 114 in 2007. The category for other thefts dropped about 10 percent, 159 in 2006 to 143 last year.

Under traffic citations, driving under the influence bumped up 2 percent from 147 to 150 and traffic infractions increased nearly 4 percent from 4,826 to 5,013.

Adult misdemeanor and felony arrests dropped 3 percent from 883 to 858 and juvenile arrests fell 10 percent from 153 to 138.

Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@courierherald.com.