Violent crimes and property crimes are down slightly in Clallam and Jefferson counties since last year, though vehicle thefts have increased across the North Olympic Peninsula, according to mid-year crime statistics.

A report released last week by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs shows the Peninsula’s crime rate has remained fairly steady from the first half of 2001 compared to the first half of this year.

The report reflects figures submitted voluntarily by the Clallam and Jefferson county sheriff’s departments, and the police departments of Port Angeles, Forks, Sequim and Port Townsend.

Records show 1,071 violent and property crimes were reported by the agencies in Clallam County in the first half of this year. Those include 427 crimes in Port Angeles, 156 crimes in Sequim, 78 crimes in Forks and 410 in outlying areas.

Totals in Jefferson County for the first half of this year are 359 reported crimes, including 140 in Port Townsend and 219 in outlying areas.

Vehicle thefts, an increasing problem across the state, increased in all jurisdictions except Jefferson County, where figures show a decline from 11 thefts in 2001 to four thefts in 2002.

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