EDITORIAL: CDA police drive down crime in 2025

As 2025 winds down, we want to give a shoutout to the Coeur d’Alene Police Department. Why? Because crime is down. Again. 

Since Lee White came on board as police chief more than a decade ago, crime has steadily declined in Kootenai County’s largest city, and that trend held again this year. 

A look at the city’s monthly crime report reveals what citizens like to see: Fewer crimes, which means a safer place to live.

Under Part 1 Crimes, which includes aggravated assault, burglaries and theft, the number of cases through November totaled 444, down 28% from the same 11-month period in 2024. If you go back to 2014, when White came on board, Part 1 Crimes are down 77%. That's a staggering decline. 

Part 2 Crimes, which includes assaults, drugs, DUIs, vandalism, fraud and child abuse, cases are down 9% this year compared to last.

Warrant arrests this year in Coeur d’Alene through November total 398, down nearly 20% from the same time frame last year. 

Police also review crime statistics regularly to identify hot spots they should focus on. Response plans are in place to address specific situations. 

All this has happened while the city’s population has increased from about 47,000 in 2014 to 57,000

To sum up, there are way more people but way less crime. 

How does that work?

As White has explained numerous times over the years, that has been made possible by what he calls “intelligence-led policing.”  

It’s responding to crimes, yes, but also taking a more proactive approach.  

When police have time, they leave their patrol cars, talk to residents and develop relationships. Ultimately, people feel comfortable telling police if something is going on. “Find felons and throw them in jail.” Police have a strong presence in the city. It's common to see police rigs downtown, in neighborhoods and on arterials. Such a showing deters criminals. It makes them think twice about coming to Coeur d'Alene.

“That policing model has worked very, very well,” White said.  

It explains why calls for service in Coeur d’Alene are up 13%, from 53,993 in January through November. People are not indifferent to crime, as they are in some places. They are not willing to stand by and watch it happen. They are calling because they trust the police and believe they will respond and take action to address the situation that led to the call. 

We know police have a difficult job, facing situations daily where they don’t know who or what they could be dealing with. Yet the approximately 100 officers of Coeur d’Alene’s police department have excelled. 

That is why we are disappointed that White is leaving in January, having announced his retirement earlier this year. White has done precisely what he was asked to do: Lead the police department, which has a budget of about $21 million, and set it on a course to connect with the community and drive down crime. 

The relationship between police and the people they protect is strong. Well done to Lee White and Coeur d'Alene police. We are confident they will keep up the good work.