Daily Report

Downtown sees busy night, Malicious mischief tops incident categories.

Wednesday, January 21, 20264 min read

Good morning, Bellingham!

Tuesday saw a flurry of activity across Bellingham, from downtown disputes to investigations in Happy Valley. Tuesday was the busiest day we’ve seen in over a week, with 44 incidents logged. Bellingham Scan is here to keep you informed.

At a Glance

Bellingham police activity heatmap showing 44 incidents on January 21, 2026

Downtown was the hotspot with 11 incidents, followed by Meridian with 7. These areas consistently require extra vigilance, considering the higher concentration of activity.

Most of the incidents (90%) were non-violent, however, the 4 violent incidents serve as a reminder of the need for safety and conflict resolution.

Notable Location:Downtown

Category Breakdown

Malicious
12
Theft
8
7
Investigation
5
Welfare
5
Vehicular
3
Assault
2
Narcotics
2

Malicious mischief incidents lead the way with 12 reports, ranging from domestic disputes to order violations. These incidents underscore the challenges faced within households and on our streets.

Theft follows with 8 incidents, a reminder to secure your belongings, especially in commercial areas like Meridian's Bellis Fair Parkway where shoplifting was a recurring theme.

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Timeline Analysis

530
12am
3am
6am
9am
12pm
3pm
6pm
9pm
Night
Morning
Afternoon
Peak

The busiest time to report to the police yesterday was 11 AM, with a notable concentration of incidents occurring between 3 PM and 5 PM.

The 3 PM to 5 PM window saw 8 incidents, suggesting increased activity during after-school and commuting hours. Awareness during these times is key, especially in busy areas.

Intel Briefs

Downtown After Dark: Be Aware

The 100 block of E Holly St saw two assault and fight cases late last night. Exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings when out in the downtown core after dark.

Keep Vehicles Secure

With multiple theft incidents reported across Meridian and Columbia, residents are reminded to lock their vehicles and avoid leaving valuables in plain sight. Simple precautions can deter opportunistic theft.

I-5 Collision

I-5 North was backed up for several hours yesterday following a head-on collision near Ferndale. This stretch of highway frequently sees tragic accidents, opt for alternate routes during rush hour for safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's in the "Other" category?

The "Other" category includes 7 incidents that don't fit into our main categories. Here's the breakdown:

WARRANT ARREST4
PROPERTY - FOUND/RECOVERED2
SERVICE OF PAPERS1
Where does this data come from?

All incident data is sourced directly from the official Bellingham Police Department Daily Activity Log. We aggregate and analyze this public information to provide community insights. Our data is updated daily and reflects only what the department publicly reports.