Part of growing up is about experimenting, pushing boundaries and seeking independence. These behaviors can be seen as disruptive or problematic by some people, making it feel like teens are causing trouble all the time.
Issaquah Police Department (IPD) does not get a lot of calls regarding teens, according to Chief Paula Schwan. However, when they do get calls, they are usually for very minor situations. She says the majority of calls do not involve actual crimes (unless standard teenage shenanigans count).
Schwan says most juvenile-related calls center around noise complaints and minor disruptive behavior. There seems to be a worry that juveniles are shoplifting all the time. However, that is not being reflected in IPD’s calls. In fact, shoplifting and theft-related suspects tend to be adults in their 20–30s. A significant number of individuals arrested for these crimes were not even residents of Issaquah!
“For juveniles, we tend to see noise complaints the most in Issaquah Highlands, followed by other miscellaneous behavior like ‘ding dong ditching’ and other generally disruptive activities that are not serious nor violent crimes,” Schwan says.
In these cases, she explains that officers must observe first to see if they can confirm the behavior. They may request the juveniles lower their voices or find alternative places for their activities if nobody is at risk of being hurt.
On the rare occasion that there is a reported theft or other similar activity, officers are not legally allowed to speak to the juveniles without an attorney present. Schwan says this is a newer law passed in Washington state within the past few years. However, this does not mean that no action is taken.
Officers will still try to get the individual’s name and information before calling their legal guardians. If the juveniles refuse to share information or run off, officers cannot chase them unless there is probable cause to arrest them. If evidence of a felony or domestic violence is found via other means (victim statements, video evidence, etc.), the juveniles will be arrested and booked into the King County Youth Center.
If you ever are concerned about teen activity in the community, you can always call 911 or the non-emergency line to get advice. Schwan added that officers will come and request the youth to stop engaging in their disruptive behavior.
“Just because you have called police does not mean anyone is automatically in trouble,” she says. “Our officers are peacekeepers first, and the majority of our officers have children of their own, so they completely understand the complexities of these circumstances.”
It’s crucial for all of us in Issaquah Highlands to support and guide our youth, while also holding them accountable for their actions. By building strong connections with them and showing humility, Schwan says we can deter crime and empower the younger generation.
Let’s remember that they’re still learning how to navigate society, so it’s important to be patient and give them the confidence they need to grow.
By the Numbers: Crime Trends
Top Offenses in Issaquah Highlands from January to May 2023
Overall, crime rates in Issaquah—and the Issaquah Highlands community—are relatively low. Issaquah Highlands holds approximately 30% of the city’s total population yet represents only 19% of the 920 total crimes in Issaquah from January to May 2023.
Regardless of location, over 70% of all crimes are considered property crimes. Crimes against property include bribery, burglary, blackmail, fraud, theft and larceny, robbery, vandalism and more.
Over the past five months, data from Issaquah Police Department shows that 78 cases of larceny and theft offences occurred in Issaquah Highlands, which accounts for only 20% of cases across Issaquah. Shoplifters were responsible for 41 of these incidents, while car prowls accounted for an additional 17 cases.
In Issaquah Highlands, there were also 22 assault offences (35% of all Issaquah cases), 18 vandalism cases (24%), 14 trespass incidents (12%), 12 motor vehicle thefts (18%) and 10 reports of fraud (16%).
