Submitted by San Juan County.
During last week’s Council meeting, Sheriff Eric Peter reviewed San Juan County crime statistics from 2024. Throughout the presentation, Peter outlined duties performed by the Sheriff’s Office, including calls received by dispatch, traffic stops, infractions/citations issued, overdose calls, arrests and more. View the full presentation at https://sanjuancowa.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3329/media.
Total County-wide general statistics:
Throughout 2024, the Sheriff’s Office, local emergency medical services and Fire Districts received 19,782 calls, with the Sheriff’s Office fielding 8,319 calls for service. Across all islands, the Office made 298 arrests, 1,045 traffic stops and issued 298 infractions/citations.
San Juan Island 2024 statistics:
On San Juan Island, the Sheriff’s Office received 4,255 calls for service and made 49 arrests in the County (not Town), eight of which were charged with felony offenses and 45 were charged with misdemeanor offenses. There were 509 traffic offense incidents and 24 DUI arrests outside of Town limits. One hundred and thirty-one people from San Juan Island were booked into jail.
Town of Friday Harbor 2024 statistics:
In Friday Harbor, the Sheriff’s Office made 95 arrests, 15 of which were charged with felony offenses and 85 were charged with misdemeanor offenses. There were nine DUI arrests and 61 accidents, including 30 non-injury causing incidents, 28 hit and runs, three injury-causing accidents and 16 walk-in reports.
Orcas Island 2024 statistics:
On Orcas Island, the Sheriff’s Office received 2,547 calls for service and made 74 arrests, 13 of which were charged with felony offenses and 67 were charged with misdemeanor offenses. There were 337 traffic offense incidents and 12 DUI arrests. Fifty-four people from Orcas Island were booked into jail.
Lopez Island 2024 statistics:
On Lopez Island, the Sheriff’s Office received 1,352 calls for service and made 32 arrests, five of which were charged with felony offenses and 28 were charged with misdemeanor offenses. There were 418 traffic stops and three DUI arrests. Twenty people from Lopez Island were booked into jail.
General San Juan County Sheriff’s Office statistics:
In 2023, the Sheriff’s Office reported three total uses of force out of the 8,319 calls for service and 298 arrests.
According to RCW 10.120.010 (7), “Physical force” means any act reasonably likely to cause physical pain or injury or any other act exerted upon a person’s body to compel, control, constrain or restrain the person’s movement.
“Physical force” does not include pat-downs, incidental touching, verbal commands or compliant handcuffing where there is no physical pain or injury.
Peter anticipates reviewing multiple years of Sheriff’s Office data at future Council meetings.
