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LOCAL NEWS
Crime rate stats revealed by city SUNNYSIDE (Monday 3--8-99)---"It may not make exciting headlines, but crime is on the decline in Sunnyside," said a news release by City Councilman Chad Werkhoven.   He pointed out that the overall number of crimes is down 40%. Meanwhile population reportedly has increased 26% over the same 1994-98 period.   Statistics revealed by the city last night tend to bear him out.   Figures are upsy-downsy with a spike in 1994.   According to the figures overall major crimes tallied at 977 in 1988; 1156 in 1989, 1246 in 1990, 1180 in 1991, 1431 in 1992, 1636 in 1993, 2024 in 1994, 1413 in 1995, 1102 in 1996, 1319 in 1997, and 1205 in 1998.   Of these police "cleared"--solved with arrests and/or perpetrator identification--about 35% according to Sunnyside Police chief Wallace Anderson. This compares with a 22% national clearance rate.   Murders totaled 1 in 1988; 1 in 1990, 1 in 1994, 1 in 1995, 2 in 1996, 2 in 1997. There were none in other years of the decade.   Rapes numbered 0 in 1988, with 7 in 1989, 5 in 1990, 4 in 1991, 14 in 1992, 11 in 1994, 10 in 1994, 6 in 1995, 9 in 1996, 9 in 1997, and 14 in 1998. So rape is creeping up on people.   Robberies tallied at 5 in 1988, 6 in 1989, 6 in 1990, 2 in 1991, 8 in 1992, 11 in 1993, 14 in 1994, 6 in 1995, 11 in 1996, 10 in 1997, and 10 in 1998.   Assaults totaled 13 in 1988, 14 in 1989, 45 in 1990, 97 in 1991, 109 in 1992, 101 in 1993, 93 in 1994, 109 in 1995, 95 in 1996, 36 in 1997, and 20 in 1998.   Arsons totaled 0 in 1988, 7 in 1989, 9 in 1990, 9 in 1991, 0 in 1992, 5 in 1993, 10 in 1994, 3 in 1995, 7 in 1996, 8 in 1997, and 11 in 1998.   Burglaries, overwhelmingly committed by young persons, tallied 153 in 1988, 209 in 1989, 242 in 1990, 213 in 1991, 198 in 1992, 175 in 1993, 285 in 1994, 243 in 1995, 192 in 1996, 197 in 1997, and 227 in 1998.   Thefts, always popular, numbered 742 in 1988; 879 in 1989; 905 in 1990; 800 in 1991; 1,021 in 1992; 1,235 in 1993; 1,494 in 1994; 982 in 1995; 709 in 1996; 980 in 1997; and 830 in 1998.   Motor vehicle thefts included 30 in 1988; 22 in 1989; 33 in 1990; 55 in 1991; 81 in 1992; 98 in 1993; 117 in 1994; 63 in 1995; 80 in 1996; 77 in 1997; and 93 in 1998.