Bonner County’s crime figures improved markedly in 2025, with law enforcement agencies reporting a 16.14% decrease in total offenses compared to the prior year, according to data released by the Idaho State Police.
The county recorded 747 total offenses last year—the lowest tally in five years—along with 512 arrests, also a five-year low. The improvement pushed the county’s crime rate down to 23.54 crimes per 1,000 residents, a meaningful drop from 28.07 per 1,000 in 2024.
Bonner County was among 36 Idaho counties that experienced crime reductions over the same period. The statewide data, compiled from reports submitted by local law enforcement agencies, reflects crime trends across the state’s 44 counties.
Broad Reductions Across Crime Categories
Several categories of criminal activity saw particularly sharp declines. Counterfeiting offenses fell 60%, dropping from 10 per 1,000 residents to 4 per 1,000. Destruction-related crimes declined 5.47%, burglary fell 4.29%, and sexual matter crimes decreased 4%. The report also documented major reductions in robbery, stolen property, fraud, kidnapping, and drug-related incidents, though specific percentages for those categories were not detailed in the ISP release.
The crime data compiled by the Idaho State Police draws from four local law enforcement agencies: the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office, Sandpoint Police Department, Ponderay Police Department, and Priest River Police Department. While the overall county trend was positive, individual departments showed varying results—Sandpoint Police and Priest River Police each reported higher arrest and offense numbers in 2025 compared to 2024, even as the countywide aggregate declined.
Statewide Public Safety Perspective
Governor Brad Little commented on the statewide crime report, noting that “Idaho continues to be one of the safest places to live, work, and raise a family, and the latest crime report is another testament to our commitment to public safety.” The governor’s office releases comprehensive crime analysis annually through the Idaho State Police.
The five-year low in both offenses and arrests suggests that law enforcement coordination and community engagement efforts across Bonner County are contributing to reduced criminal activity. The 16.14% year-over-year improvement represents one of the more substantial single-year declines recorded in recent data.
The Idaho State Police continues to collect and analyze crime data from all Idaho law enforcement agencies to track statewide trends and inform public safety policy and resource allocation decisions.
What Comes Next
The ISP will release updated crime data annually, providing ongoing insight into criminal activity trends across Bonner County and the broader state. Local law enforcement agencies in Sandpoint, Ponderay, Priest River, and the Sheriff’s Office will continue to report their respective crime statistics for inclusion in statewide compilations.