Crime is on the rise in Clallam County, but just barely.
The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs released 2006 crime data for most law enforcement agencies in the state.
The crime rate in Port Angeles increased due to a spike in assaults that police officials hope is an aberration.
The crime rate in the unincorporated county rose as a result of more reported thefts and burglaries.
In Sequim and in Forks, which account for less than 20 percent of serious crimes, the crime rates decreased.
Police officials said the county is still very safe, and point to nearby counties and cities with much higher crime rates.
The data released last week are part of the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting program.
Only felony crimes involving people or property are reported. Drug crimes and misdemeanors are not included in the data.
According to the report, 38 major crimes were reported in 2006 for every 1,000 Clallam County residents.
In 2005, the crime rate was 37.8 crimes per 1,000 people.
The highest recorded crime rate in Clallam County was in 1995, when 39.2 crimes were reported per 1,000 residents.
