The City of Federal Way announced today that preliminary crime data for the first six months of 2026 shows overall crime has decreased by 21% compared to the same period in 2025, continuing a strong multi-year trend of improving public safety throughout the city.

Several major crime categories experienced significant reductions during the first half of 2026, including:

• Murder – down 43% 
• Robbery – down 21% 
• Residential Burglary – down 51% 
• Commercial Burglary – down 47% 
• Motor Vehicle Theft – down 54% 

Other notable decreases include:

• Shots Fired incidents are down 22% compared to the first six months of last year.

These year-to-date reductions are part of a larger, long-term decline in crime across Federal Way. Between 2023 and 2025, several major crime categories experienced dramatic decreases:

• Motor Vehicle Theft declined from 2,305 incidents in 2023 to 471 in 2025 — a reduction of approximately 80%. 
• Robbery dropped from 238 incidents to 70 — a 71% reduction. 
• Burglary fell from 622 incidents to 250 — a 60% reduction. 
• Aggravated Assault decreased from 343 incidents to 228 — a 34% reduction. 

These sustained reductions reflect the City's ongoing investments in proactive policing, focused crime-reduction strategies, technology and strong partnerships across the community.

"Public safety is the top priority for the City of Federal Way," said Mayor Jim Ferrell. "I applaud the dedication and professionalism of our police officers and department leadership for continually improving our efforts to keep our residents and business community safe. We also appreciate the partnership of our residents, businesses, community organizations and all of our public safety stakeholders. Working together, we are making Federal Way a safer community for everyone."

The encouraging 2026 crime reductions build on a sustained downward trend over the past several years.

In the coming weeks, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) is expected to release its annual Crime in Washington report. According to the preliminary report, Federal Way experienced a 27% reduction in overall crime from 2024 to 2025. That followed a 10.8% reduction in overall crime from 2023 to 2024, demonstrating continued progress in reducing crime citywide.

With overall crime currently down 21% through the first six months of 2026, Federal Way is on pace to achieve a third consecutive year of double-digit reductions in crime, should current trends continue through the remainder of the year.

City leaders attribute these continued reductions to the Federal Way Police Department's data-driven policing strategies, targeted enforcement, strong partnerships with the community and criminal justice partners, and continued investments in public safety resources.

“While there is always more work to do, these results demonstrate that our commitment to public safety, combined with the collaborative efforts of our officers and community partners is producing measurable results,” Mayor Ferrell said. “We remain committed to making Federal Way safer."

Media Contact:
Ben Miller
Communications Manager, Mayor's Office
City of Federal Way
(253) 835-2411
ben.miller@federalwaywa.gov

OR

Bill Vadino
Policy Advisor, Mayor's Office
City of Federal Way
(206) 304-9195
bill.vadino@federalwaywa.gov