The city of Bellevue experienced a significant drop in overall reported crime and property crimes according to the Bellevue Police Department’s year-end report for 2025.
Bellevue Police reported overall crimes for the city declined 27% (5,698 crimes) when compared to 2024 (7,828 crimes). Additionally, property crimes (robbery, theft, vandalism, burglary, etc.) dropped by an unprecedented 33% (4,412 crimes) for 2025 compared to the previous calendar year (6,546 crimes).
The department used data collected by the BPD Crime Analysis Unit to provide officers the ability to implement targeted and focused anti-crime strategies, based on what Chief Wendell Shirley calls the P.I.E philosophy: Prevention, Intervention, Enforcement, to help reduce property crimes in 2025. The “Stop the Lift” holiday campaign is an example where a partnership between local businesses and Bellevue Police led to 157 arrests for shoplifting crimes during the 2025 holiday season.
Property thefts continued to be the most reported crime in Bellevue for 2025, with shoplifting, theft (other), and theft from a motor vehicle being the top three. Additional data published by the BPD Crime Analysis Unit can be found by clicking here.
“Bellevue continues to be a safe place to live, work, and visit because of this department’s dedication and commitment to keep the community safe and the strong partnerships we share with our residents and local businesses,” said Wendell Shirley, Bellevue Police Chief. “This collaboration will continue into 2026, as the department will listen to community concerns, such as traffic enforcement, and hold individuals accountable for their actions.”
As crime in Bellevue declined in 2025, the Bellevue Police Department also addressed the growing concerns of reckless driving and street racing incidents occurring across the city. Overall, officers issued about 63% more traffic tickets in 2025 (5,473 tickets) when compared to 2024 data (3,530 tickets). About 44% of the tickets issued addressed speeding and 6% of tickets were due to drivers using a vehicle with a modified exhaust.
The department took this success from 2025 and applied it for a more robust approach to curb reckless driving, street racing, and modified exhaust incidents for 2026 by announcing the “Eastside Safe Streets Task Force.” Issaquah, Kirkland, and Redmond police departments joined forces with Bellevue Police for a coordinated effort to combine resources to patrol neighborhoods most likely to attract reckless driving incidents and events that encourage street racing in the city.
Last year was a safe and successful year for the city. However, the Bellevue Police Department always urges community members to “see something, say something” by calling 911 if they witness a crime happening across Bellevue.
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