FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — Five car prowlers targeted a shopping center, apartment complex, city facility, and churches in a Federal Way crime spree over the weekend, according to Chief Andy Hwang.
At least 69 cars were damaged in the crime spree that happened Saturday night and early Sunday morning. Officers had descriptions of the suspects and their vehicle and spotted them before noon on Sunday.
"Five individuals were sitting in a vehicle at a McDonald's parking lot at [348th Street] and Pacific Highway,” said Chief Hwang, who added that as soon as they saw the officer they took off.
"Per the current state law, even though they had cost thousands of dollars in damage, and a lot of devastated victims over this incident, we had to let them go. We couldn't chase them,” said Chief Hwang.
It pushed the police chief to send a public message about how the state's pursuit law changed in 2021. Lawmakers increased the threshold for evidence required for a police pursuit, and property crimes like what happened over the weekend do not qualify.
In 2023 lawmakers lowered the threshold for police to pursue a suspect from probable cause to reasonable suspicion for limited crimes. The limited crimes include violent offense, sex offense, or an escape; or DUI, vehicular assault, and domestic violence assault in the first, second, third, or fourth-degree offense.
An initiative will appear on the November ballot that would give police the authority to engage in a pursuit when there is reasonable suspicion someone has violated the law.
"It's crystal clear now the impact that it is having,” said Chief Hwang of the current law. "We had in excess of 46,000 vehicles stolen in 2022. Per capita, we are number one in the nation."
"I think the word is out that if you want to commit a crime in the state, do it in a stolen car because you can't be pursued,” said Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell.
Mayor Ferrell said he has asked lawmakers for help, but it has not happened.
In a letter to Chief Hwang, State Senator Claire Wilson, who represents Federal Way, referred to pursuits as a dangerous risk, noting that, "many people are alive today who would have died if our former standards had not been changed.
In a statement, the Washington Coalition for Police Accountability said, “state law reserves pursuits for the most serious offenses against persons because pursuits are a very dangerous tactic with significant collateral damage.”
The statement went on to say, “we don't dismiss the public's frustration but believe that pursuits should not take place for crimes like window smashing.”
"There are compromises that can be made. But one thing we cannot compromise on is common sense and public safety,” said Mayor Ferrell.
"This is playing out every day. We have vehicles eluding from us, just running from us on a daily basis. This is lawlessness,” said Chief Hwang. “We need to change the law. This is unacceptable."
Rep. Jamila Taylor, who also represents Federal Way, released the following statement on Thursday night:
“Building a community that is safe and secure for all is within reach for all of our Washington cities. Washingtonians deserve to have their property protected while being confident that they are afforded physical safety as well. We know that police pursuits are dangerous, not just for law enforcement officers involved, but also for other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Human life is invaluable, which is why I am committed to working with my colleagues and open to further conversations with my community, include law enforcement, on solutions and additional resources focused on improving community safety that will help us feel secure in our homes and in our cities.”