What Happened in Bellingham on Thursday, March 19th, 2026
Yesterday in Bellingham, police responded to 38 incidents, down 16% from 45 the day before. 1 violent crime was reported, and officers made 9 arrests.
The most common incident type was Administrative, accounting for 18 of 38 reports (47% of total). The most active neighborhood was Downtown with 10 incidents.
Overall activity was 11% above the 30-day average of 34 incidents per day.
Incident Categories
Yesterday, Bellingham reported incidents across 8 categories. Administrative led with 18 incidents (47% of total), followed by Disorder with 7 and Drugs & Alcohol with 3.
Administrative alone accounted for more incidents than the next 3 categories combined, which totaled 13.
Trending: Drugs & Alcohol is up 175% over the past 7 days (11 incidents this week vs 4 the prior week).
Incident Category Breakdown
What's in “Administrative”?
Overview
Violent Crime
1 violent crime was reported in Bellingham yesterday, accounting for 3% of all incidents. This is unchanged from the prior day.
The most common violent offense was ARSON - RECKLESS BURNING with 1 of 1 incidents. Of 1 violent incidents, 0 resulted in an arrest — a 0% arrest rate.
| Time | Offense | Neighborhood | Block |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:42 | ARSON - RECKLESS BURNINGViolent | York | 1400 Block of N Forest St |
Arrests
Bellingham police made 9 arrests yesterday, involving 9 individuals.
Arrests accounted for 24% of all incidents. Of the 9 arrests, 5 were Administrative, 1 was Harassment & Threats, and 1 was Theft & Burglary. This is down 25% from the 12 arrests the prior day.
| Time | Offense | Category | Neighborhood |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02:57 | WARRANT ARREST | Administrative | Meridian |
| 08:22 | WARRANT ARREST | Administrative | York |
| 10:58 | WARRANT ARREST | Administrative | Sunnyland |
| 16:34 | VIOLATION OF A COURT ORDER | Harassment & Threats | Lettered Streets |
| 16:38 | THEFT | Theft & Burglary | Meridian |
| 21:23 | WARRANT ARREST | Administrative | Downtown |
| 23:33 | DRUG - NARCOTICS VIOLATIONS | Drugs & Alcohol | Meridian |
| 23:38 | DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE | Traffic & Vehicles | Downtown |
| 23:56 | WARRANT ARREST | Administrative | Downtown |
Neighborhood Activity
Yesterday, incidents were reported across 14 neighborhoods in Bellingham. Downtown had the highest activity with 10 incidents, followed by Meridian with 7 and Lettered Streets with 5.
Downtown accounted for 26% of all incidents — a quarter or more of the city's activity in a single neighborhood.
2 specific locations have appeared in the top 10 most active blocks for 4 or more of the last 7 days, including 500 Block of Grand Ave (6 of 7 days).
Explore all neighborhoods and their trends in Bellingham Neighborhood Safety. →
Hourly Breakdown
Activity in Bellingham yesterday peaked between 12 PM – 1 PM with 4 incidents during that hour. The quietest period was 12am with no incidents reported.
Overnight (12–6 AM) saw 2 incidents, morning (6 AM–12 PM) had 12, afternoon (12–6 PM) had 13, and evening (6 PM–12 AM) had 11. Afternoon was the busiest period overall.
Thursdays in Bellingham typically average 33 incidents. Yesterday's total of 38 is 5 above that 8-week average (16% higher).
How Does This Compare?
The 7-day rolling average is 38.9 incidents per day, above the 30-day average of 34.3 — suggesting a busier-than-normal stretch.
Key Patterns
This Week Is Pacing Higher Than Last
Through Thursday (4 days), this week has recorded 152 incidents — 25% more than the 122 reported at the same point last week. If the pace holds, the week could finish well above last week’s total.
Downtown: Most Active for 6 Straight Days
Downtown has been the most active neighborhood for 6 consecutive days. Today it logged 10 incidents (26% of the city total).
Drugs & Alcohol Up 175% This Week
Drugs & Alcohol incidents have risen sharply: 11 in the past 7 days compared to 4 the prior 7 days — a 175% increase. Today alone saw 3 drugs & alcohol incidents.
Full Incident Log
This log contains all 38 incidents reported to the Bellingham Police Department on Thursday, March 19th, 2026. Published Friday, March 20th, 2026.
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What Happened in Bellingham on Thursday, March 19th, 2026
Yesterday in Bellingham, police responded to 38 incidents, down 16% from 45 the day before. 1 violent crime was reported, and officers made 9 arrests.
The most common incident type was Administrative, accounting for 18 of 38 reports (47% of total). The most active neighborhood was Downtown with 10 incidents.
Overall activity was 11% above the 30-day average of 34 incidents per day.
Incident Categories
Yesterday, Bellingham reported incidents across 8 categories. Administrative led with 18 incidents (47% of total), followed by Disorder with 7 and Drugs & Alcohol with 3.
Administrative alone accounted for more incidents than the next 3 categories combined, which totaled 13.
Trending: Drugs & Alcohol is up 175% over the past 7 days (11 incidents this week vs 4 the prior week).
Incident Category Breakdown
What's in “Administrative”?
Overview
Violent Crime
1 violent crime was reported in Bellingham yesterday, accounting for 3% of all incidents. This is unchanged from the prior day.
The most common violent offense was ARSON - RECKLESS BURNING with 1 of 1 incidents. Of 1 violent incidents, 0 resulted in an arrest — a 0% arrest rate.
| Time | Offense | Neighborhood | Block |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:42 | ARSON - RECKLESS BURNINGViolent | York | 1400 Block of N Forest St |
Arrests
Bellingham police made 9 arrests yesterday, involving 9 individuals.
Arrests accounted for 24% of all incidents. Of the 9 arrests, 5 were Administrative, 1 was Harassment & Threats, and 1 was Theft & Burglary. This is down 25% from the 12 arrests the prior day.
| Time | Offense | Category | Neighborhood |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02:57 | WARRANT ARREST | Administrative | Meridian |
| 08:22 | WARRANT ARREST | Administrative | York |
| 10:58 | WARRANT ARREST | Administrative | Sunnyland |
| 16:34 | VIOLATION OF A COURT ORDER | Harassment & Threats | Lettered Streets |
| 16:38 | THEFT | Theft & Burglary | Meridian |
| 21:23 | WARRANT ARREST | Administrative | Downtown |
| 23:33 | DRUG - NARCOTICS VIOLATIONS | Drugs & Alcohol | Meridian |
| 23:38 | DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE | Traffic & Vehicles | Downtown |
| 23:56 | WARRANT ARREST | Administrative | Downtown |
Neighborhood Activity
Yesterday, incidents were reported across 14 neighborhoods in Bellingham. Downtown had the highest activity with 10 incidents, followed by Meridian with 7 and Lettered Streets with 5.
Downtown accounted for 26% of all incidents — a quarter or more of the city's activity in a single neighborhood.
2 specific locations have appeared in the top 10 most active blocks for 4 or more of the last 7 days, including 500 Block of Grand Ave (6 of 7 days).
Explore all neighborhoods and their trends in Bellingham Neighborhood Safety. →
Hourly Breakdown
Activity in Bellingham yesterday peaked between 12 PM – 1 PM with 4 incidents during that hour. The quietest period was 12am with no incidents reported.
Overnight (12–6 AM) saw 2 incidents, morning (6 AM–12 PM) had 12, afternoon (12–6 PM) had 13, and evening (6 PM–12 AM) had 11. Afternoon was the busiest period overall.
Thursdays in Bellingham typically average 33 incidents. Yesterday's total of 38 is 5 above that 8-week average (16% higher).
How Does This Compare?
The 7-day rolling average is 38.9 incidents per day, above the 30-day average of 34.3 — suggesting a busier-than-normal stretch.
Key Patterns
This Week Is Pacing Higher Than Last
Through Thursday (4 days), this week has recorded 152 incidents — 25% more than the 122 reported at the same point last week. If the pace holds, the week could finish well above last week’s total.
Downtown: Most Active for 6 Straight Days
Downtown has been the most active neighborhood for 6 consecutive days. Today it logged 10 incidents (26% of the city total).
Drugs & Alcohol Up 175% This Week
Drugs & Alcohol incidents have risen sharply: 11 in the past 7 days compared to 4 the prior 7 days — a 175% increase. Today alone saw 3 drugs & alcohol incidents.
Full Incident Log
This log contains all 38 incidents reported to the Bellingham Police Department on Thursday, March 19th, 2026. Published Friday, March 20th, 2026.
Get the daily briefing
Free, every morning.