Burien, WA: Latest Crime News & Police Updates - [2024-2025]
Is Burien, Washington, becoming a hotspot for criminal activity? Recent reports and investigations suggest a concerning increase in various types of incidents, demanding a closer look at the measures being taken to ensure the safety and security of its residents.
The Burien Police Department and the King County Sheriff's Office are actively involved in addressing a range of incidents. The Burien Police Department is responsible for ensuring the safety of residents through crime prevention and enforcement of the municipal code. The annual public safety report contains information on the service efforts and accomplishments of the Burien Police Department to support its mission, goals, and objectives. A recent incident involved the Burien Police Department/King County Sheriffs Office Special Emphasis Team, who arrested two suspected drug traffickers in a narcotics investigation that culminated on March 19, 2025. This operation highlights the ongoing efforts to combat drug-related crime within the city.
However, the efforts of law enforcement haven't been without tragic consequences. One incident involved a King County Sheriff's deputy who shot and killed a man armed with an assault rifle in Burien. Such events underscore the dangers faced by law enforcement officers and the community, bringing to the forefront the critical need for careful and thorough investigations to ascertain the full details of each instance. Furthermore, investigations are currently underway after someone was shot multiple times in Burien. Deputies and a King County Medic One ambulance were reported to have swarmed the scene at S 150th.
The prevalence of these types of incidents are being captured by online crime maps and various reporting systems. Recent data and alerts are available to the public through the Spotcrime crime map, which shows crime incident data down to the neighborhood level, including reports and trends. Residents can explore the recent crime in Burien, WA. The Burien Police Department makes use of a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system for all of its response information. Police incidents populate the map when the response is closed, giving the public a good understanding of police activity. The map will give you a sense of the calls that the police department is actively responding to and the overall police response in the city.
The publics engagement is important. If you saw a lot of police activity in Buriens Gregory Heights neighborhood on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, heres what we know: The incident happened near SW 160th Street & 16th Ave SW around 4 a.m. and the police responded to a report of a man running on Tuesday. Other incidents include the search involving Seattle police and King County deputies, including a helicopter, which took place in a Burien neighborhood. In another case, police chased a stolen car after officers with the Burien Police Department responded to a call around 5:30 a.m.
The city has also been affected by incidents emanating from nearby areas. A carjacking that began in Seattle ended with a dramatic crash in Burien early Friday, December 6, 2024, around 1:30 a.m., as Seattle police pursued armed carjacking suspects to 4th Ave SW and SW. Further, the Auburn Police arrested a Burien man on felony sex crime charges involving a minor.
Beyond criminal activity, the city is dealing with additional types of concerns, such as the case of a missing teen with autism who may be in Burien. The city council convened on Monday, April 21, 2025, to tackle several significant issues impacting the citys future. Dominating the discussion was a sobering presentation on Buriens financial forecast, which predicts potential budget shortfalls beginning as early as 2027 if current trends continue. These financial challenges underscore the need for careful resource management and strategic planning.
Additionally, the citys approach to certain types of incidents is governed by specific ordinances. Buriens verified response ordinance went into effect in October 2004. Under Burien's ordinance, police will only respond to mechanical alarms: Upon verification by a third party that a crime or emergency requires police response, and that has or is occurring at the alarm location. This is an attempt to better allocate resources.
Other incidents include a search for four men who robbed a gas station in Burien at gunpoint early Wednesday morning. King County Sheriffs Office (KCSO) Sgt. also responded to a domestic disturbance that prompted a large police presence across from Seatac Airport. KIRO 7 spoke with the King County Sheriffs Office, who confirmed that the incident was an ongoing and active situation. These instances clearly demonstrate the wide range of incidents the police department must deal with on any given day.
Outside of public safety issues, the city is also dealing with other matters. Ever since Shop with a Cop 2023, Boogie has been our unofficial city police horse. He has missed the city for some time but rumor has it he will be joining Burien PD at a booth on October 24, 2024 for the Burien Farmers Market from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m."
Burien is dealing with these local issues. The citys residents must stay aware of these types of issues as well as the impact to daily life and how to be safe.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Crime Reports | Available via crime reports map. The Spotcrime map offers detailed neighborhood crime data. |
| Police Department | Burien Police Department is responsible for ensuring the safety of residents. The annual public safety report provides information on the department's work. |
| Recent Incidents | Includes arrests of suspected drug traffickers (March 19, 2025), shooting of an armed man by a deputy, and investigations into shootings. |
| Emergency Response | Involves King County Sheriff's deputies and Medic One ambulance services, as well as police chases following reports of criminal activity. |
| Community Involvement | Events such as "Shop with a Cop" and the presence of community figures like "Boogie" the police horse at community events. |
| City Council Issues | The Burien City Council is addressing issues, including financial forecasts indicating potential budget shortfalls. |
| Ordinances in Effect | The city of Buriens verified response ordinance was enacted in October of 2004. |
Burien Police Department - Official Website
