Common Sense Restored: Police Pursuits Bring Auto Thefts to Record Lows

For the first time since at least 2002 the statewide of vehicular thefts in Washington number has dipped below 1,500 — and it’s not a one-month fluke. April, May, and June of this year all posted historic lows, reversing a four-year crime wave that saw car thefts explode to more than 4,000 per month at its peak.

The turnaround didn’t come from Olympia politicians suddenly changing course — it came from the people. The majority Democrats refused for years to fix a deeply flawed 2021 law that they passed that severely restricted police pursuits. Despite the blatant rise in auto thefts, lawmakers refused to reverse course. In fact, they used bad, dishonest data to silence dissent.

Supporters of the 2021 pursuit restrictions often pointed to a 73% drop in bystander deaths as proof the law worked. But an independent review commissioned by Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine) found that claim was based on flawed, incomplete data and “should be disregarded in its entirety.” Despite this, one of the bill’s champions, Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond), continued using the discredited stats to block a bipartisan fix.

Washingtonians took matters into their own hands. Through the initiative process, Let’s Go Washington organized over 400,000 voters to sign Initiative 2113 to restore local control over pursuits and allow law enforcement officers to use their judgment and training once again. While lawmakers buried their heads in the sand, the people of Washington stood up and said enough is enough. Some lawmakers tried their best to kill this initiative, but the voice of voters rang too loud to ignore, and the initiative became law in 2024.

As Sen. John Braun notes, the results speak for themselves. “Fewer vehicles stolen means fewer people losing their only way to get to work, care for their families, or live their daily lives.”

The contrast is sharp. Before I-2113, restrictions pushed by the Legislature had emboldened criminals and tied the hands of police. There were numerous instances of stolen vehicles used to ram ATMs or rob small businesses. In one horrific case, a stolen truck was involved in a hit-and-run that resulted in the death of a 12-year-old girl – the driver was later apprehended with several stolen vehicles on his property.

In just two years, monthly thefts more than doubled. Counties like King, Pierce, and Snohomish — dominated by lawmakers who opposed fixing the law — became hot spots for stolen cars.

I-2113 broke that cycle. Passed with strong bipartisan support, the measure lifted the statewide pursuit ban in June 2024. Within months, theft numbers plummeted.

But Braun warns this victory could be fragile. The same majority that resisted restoring pursuit laws is now exploring ways to make it harder for citizens to pass initiatives — including the so-called “initiative killer” bill, SB 5832. That bill would have made it harder for Washingtonians to challenge bad policy and force common-sense reforms like I-2113. Fortunately, that bill was scrapped after widespread public outcry.

Lawmakers doing everything in their power to ignore constituents is just another Monday here in Washington. Just a few months ago, these same lawmakers pushed forward with $12.5 billion in new tax hikes even as polling showed Washingtonians overwhelmingly opposed them. It’s a pattern: when progressive leaders in Olympia decide on a policy, no amount of evidence, public testimony, or clear negative impact will dissuade them. They will cling to flawed data, ignore the voices of the people, and push their agenda forward — regardless of the consequences.

Yet, as I-2113 proves, they can be stopped. Washingtonians are not powerless. When we organize, speak up, and take action, we can restore common sense, defend our freedoms, and correct the course of our state. The same democratic tools that reversed a reckless pursuit ban can be used to fight back against destructive policies in every area — from runaway taxes to assaults on public safety. The future of Washington will be written by the people willing to stand up.