Byram says 2020 crime stats influenced by pandemic

By Terry Murry on Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – COVID-19 has played a role in crime statistics for the Pendleton Police Department. Chief Chuck Byram talked about some of the stats he’s noticed as a guest on Tuesday’s KUMA Coffee Hour.

One area that dropped dramatically is a 33 percent decline of traffic crashes, and Byram said that’s probably due to fewer vehicles on the road.

“That took up less of our officers’ time because those traffic accidents can take up to an hour each call,” he said.

It’s a good thing that the officers had more time, because Byram said they responded to an increase in commercial burglaries. He believes that is due to the fact that the pandemic caused many businesses to close, making them more vulnerable to burglary.

The chief also said he’s seeing an uptick in calls for domestic violence.

“The causational factors there are money, being cooped up in quarters, and alcohol and/or drugs on top of it,” he said. “You speak to anybody that owns a liquor store or runs a beer emporium and they’re going to say that they had a great year.”