The art covered plywood panels covering the shuttered businesses of Pike/Pine and Capitol Hill have been a symbol of Seattle’s artistic resilience in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. But the coverings are there for a reason.

Seattle Police statistics for March show the neighborhood was hit by a rash of burglaries with 36% more reported across the East Precinct than last year. And, of course, most of those — around three out of four — involved commercial properties and businesses.

But not all hope is lost and society has not yet, gone fully Mad Max. With “stay home” restrictions in place, total crime was actually down across Seattle and on Capitol Hill and the Central District.

Included in that softening is one obvious outcome: Residential burglaries have dropped.

The difficulties for home burglars has actually been so strong that Seattle’s total burglary tally even counting a citywide surge in commercial break-ins was basically at the same level as last year with 755 reported.

In a very frustrating turn of events, it looks like someone decided to help themselves to our loose magic boosters by way of some rebar through the door last night. pic.twitter.com/35rm02FSm7 — Phoenix Comics (@Phoenix_Comics) April 17, 2020

Also a peculiar positive, theft was down hugely — there are few businesses open to steal from. Reported robberies and assaults were also down across the city and in the East Precinct.

Other crime headaches won’t go away. East Precinct auto theft remained at typical levels for March but dropped across Seattle.

As for the burglaries, SPD reports it took two suspects into custody Sunday wanted in connection with nearly 200 cases:

Around 2:30 PM on Sunday, officers were patrolling near East Olive Way and Bellevue Avenue when they spotted several people in a blue Mini Cooper parked in a lot. When officers approached, the car’s occupants scattered. Officers found crowbars and other burglary tools sitting in the car, and quickly discovered the vehicle had been reported stolen. With the help of a witness, were able to identify the car’s driver and a passenger and found them a few blocks away.

Police say the 21-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man admitted to over 100 burglaries in the East Precinct, and over 80 elsewhere in the city. They were booked into the King County Jail for auto theft and burglary.

East Precinct burglary reports — 2020 East Precinct auto theft reports East Precinct robbery reports East theft reports

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