Crime Reduction Programs and Tips

On July 12, 2022, Chief of Police Avery L. Moore presented TPD’s Violent Crime Reduction Plan to the Tacoma City Council:

• View the Violent Crime Reduction Plan document
• View Chief Moore’s slide presentation to the City Council
• Watch the Facebook video of Chief Moore’s July 12, 2022 presentation

Additional Progress Reports to Council:

• November 7, 2023 – Violent Crime Reduction Plan – Year 1 Results presentation
• May 16, 2023 – Violent Crime Reduction Plan – Period 2 Results & Next Steps presentation
• February 14, 2023 – Violent Crime Reduction Plan – Period 2 presentation
• November 1, 2022 – Violent Crime Reduction Plan – Period 1 Results presentation

You can view the videos of the above Council Study Session presentations by going to the TV Tacoma Media Coverage web page.

The goal of TPD’s Burglary Reduction Initiative (BRI) is to reduce residential and commercial burglaries in the City of Tacoma. To be effective, the reduction requires:

• Coordinated crime prevention and awareness programs
• Police enforcement
• Prosecution

How Burglaries Affect People

The citizens and businesses of the City of Tacoma are the victims of more than 2,600 burglaries each year. One out of every 77 persons suffers from this emotionally and economically devastating crime. Research shows that the harmful effects are reversible.

Coming Together

Combined efforts by police, prosecutors, citizens and businesses can greatly reduce these crimes in a designated area. Results will not be seen overnight. To see the full benefits of the BRI it will take

• Sustained perseverance
• Energetic collaboration between all areas of the Department
• Intensified cooperation between surrounding jurisdictions
• Zealous commitment of prosecutors

Residential Burglary Prevention – Tips and Strategies

Vehicle Break-Ins: How to Protect Yourself and Others

Limit the amount of personal information you keep in your vehicle, to protect yourself from other related crimes such as identity theft or fraud. Theft from a vehicle, or vehicle prowl, is a crime of opportunity. Don’t give anyone the opportunity to make you a victim. Here are three easy, common sense ways to protect yourself:

• Always try to park in safe, well-lit, fully visible areas.
• Shut all car windows and doors (including your sunroof if you have one), lock your car, and take your keys.
• Remove, or hide from view, anything a thief may find attractive in your vehicle. Do this before you arrive at your parking spot, if possible.

Items Most Commonly Stolen from a Vehicle

• Clothing
• DVDs
• Electronics
• Garage door openers
• Gym bags
• Headphones
• Liquor
• Money
• Packages
• Purses
• Shoes
• Shopping bags
• Sporting equipment
• Sunglasses
• Toys
• Wallets

10 Tips for Vehicle Break-In Prevention

The Safe Place initiative is a partnership and a commitment to fight hate in our community. TPD has joined more than 275 law enforcement agencies to work with businesses, schools and social organizations.

The Tacoma Police Department commits to responding to, investigating and addressing all hate crimes, including crimes committed because of:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Ancestry
• National origin
• Gender
• Sexual orientation
• Gender expression or identity
• Mental, physical, or sensory disabilities
• Homelessness
• Marital status
• Political ideology
• Age
• Parental status

How the Safe Place Initiative Works

The Safe Place Initiative is ZERO COST to the business, school or organization. As with any emergency, your staff should use care and caution when providing the victims of crime safe shelter, while being mindful of the safety of your patrons, co-workers and compliance with existing company policies. There is no extra liability to your business or organization as we are not asking you to do anything you would not already do.

Make the Commitment to Help Stop Hate Crimes

As a business, school or social organization you can help stop hate crimes and bullying by committing to:

• Calling 911 immediately, if a victim of any crime (especially a hate crime) enters your premises.
• Allowing the victim to remain on your premise until police arrive.
• Calling back 911 and providing a physical description of the victim and/or suspect(s), direction of travel and any injuries that you may have observed if the victim leaves prior to police arrival.

How to Get Involved

To learn more about joining the Safe Place and submitting an application, contact:

• Officer Custis: KCustis@tacoma.gov or (253) 302-1184
• Officer Ford: MFord@tacoma.gov or (253) 405-6103

Once your application is processed by TPD’s Safe Place Coordinator, we will mail you your decal. Place your decal in the main public entrance of your building, easily visible to anyone walking past.

Type of Decal Requested

Only one decal, per request, per location. If your premise has multiple entrances and/or locations, please note this with the TPD Safe Place Coordinator.

• Report Hate Crimes – English
• Report Hate Crimes – Spanish
• Report Hate Crimes – Traditional Chinese
• Report Student Bullying – English
• Report Hate Crimes – Korean
• Report Hate Crimes – Somali
• Report Hate Crimes – Vietnamese

Safe Place Initiative is a trademark of the Seattle Police Department and the logo is being used with permission from the Seattle Police Department.