||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||
During this week’s Council meeting, Sheriff Eric Peter reviewed San Juan County crime statistics from 2024. Throughout the presentation, Sheriff 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 here: https://sanjuancowa.portal.
Total County-wide Statistics
Throughout 2024, the Sheriff’s Office, local EMS, 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. 131 people from San Juan Island were booked in jail.
Town of FH 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 9 DUI arrests and 61 accidents including 30 non-injury causing incidents, 28 hit and runs, 3 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. 54 people from Orcas Island were booked in jail.
Lopez Island 2024 Statistics
On Lopez Island, the Sheriff’s Office received 1,352 calls for service and made 32 arrests, 5 of which were charged with felony offenses and 28 were charged with misdemeanor offenses. There were 418 traffic stops and 3 DUI arrests. 20 people from Lopez Island were booked in jail.
General San Juan County Sheriff’s Office Statistics
In 2023, the Sheriff’s Office reported 3 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.
Sheriff Peter anticipates reviewing multiple years of Sheriff’s Office data at future Council meetings.
View the full presentation here: https://sanjuancowa.portal.
About San Juan County’s Sheriff’s Office
San Juan County’s Sheriff’s Office is committed to protecting the lives, property, and rights of all residents and visitors, as well as to maintain order and reduce crime through education, prevention, and enforcement of the law. The Sheriff’s Office is located at 96 Second Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Sheriff’s Office, visit https://www.sanjuancountywa.
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Unfortunately, there was one alleged crime at a major Orcas Island cooperative that the Sheriff refused to investigate — the misappropriation of co-op funds for personal gain.