Chief talks about crime

Compared with 2023, the number of arrests and police citations increased last year in the City of Shelton, while reported burglaries and sexual assaults decreased. Homicides decreased from three in 2023 to zero in 2024.

Those are among the numbers Shelton Police Chief Chris Kostad presented in his department’s annual report for 2024 at a Shelton City Council study session March 25 in the Shelton Civic Center.

The department in 2024 has 17 commissioned officers and two civilian employees. Three of the officers are new.

During the year, officers made 645 arrests, up from 520 in 2023. They issued 637 citations, up from 364 the previous year. The number of reports written were almost identical: 1,654 in 2023 and 1,669 in 2024.

Crimes against people in 2024 included 13 for rape, none for statutory rape, one for sodomy, 13 for fondling, none for incest, one for unlawful imprisonment and 53 for violation of a no-contact order. There were 15 arrests for aggravated assaults and 62 for simple assault. Three people were arrested for pornography, eight for weapons and 27 for drugs/narcotics/paraphernalia.

The investigations for burglaries dropped from 30 to 21 and sexual assaults from 44 to 26. Investigations for fraud/forgery increased from 22 to 40. Detectives responded to one arson in each year.

During the year, officers used force 21 times, six of them against females and 15 against male. Intoxication or drugs was an aggravating factor in eight of the incidents and mental health in two incidents.

Residents filed three complaints saying they were dissatisfied with handling of a call, investigation or report, one with the officer’s demeanor, courtesy, rudeness or conduct. Two complaints were not sustained, one was sustained and one was incomplete because the complainant did not respond or would not provide enough information.

Last year, officers were involved in five pursuits, up from one in 2023. One was for assault and four for reckless driving. All five pursuits met department policy, according to the report.

The K-9 German shepherds Lex and Valor will retire this year. In 2024, they were deployed 35 times. Lex will continue to live with Sgt. Diaz and Valor with Sgt. Downs.

On Dec. 14, the Shelton Police Department partnered with Walmart, the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington State Patrol, Squaxin Tribal Police and Central Mason Fire to provide a Christmas shopping opportunity for 28 children. Each child was given $175 to shop with, and the kids mostly bought presents for members of their families.

During 2024, the department received $148,873 in donations.

The department’s budget in 2014 was $4,127,310, about $250,000 under budget, Kostad said. That’s mostly due to being understaffed and cuts in overtime, he said.