This afternoon full council confirmed the appointments of two people to the Board of Park Commisioners that we in my committee had the pleasure of talking to in committee last week: Diana S Kincaid and Tom Tierney. Diana is a returning board member, who has been on the board since May 2009, and serving as Park [...]
Month: April 2013
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Councilmember Bruce Harrell responds to the retirement of Chief Diaz
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/8/2013
Councilmember Bruce Harrell responds to the retirement of Chief Diaz
SEATTLE -- City Councilmember Bruce Harrell, Chair of the Council’s Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee, issued the following statement today in response to today’s announcement that Chief Diaz will retire:
"I thank John for his years of dedicated service. John was a hard-working officer, protecting and serving the people of Seattle for three decades. He served with honor and distinction, and I wish him the best in retirement.
"I urge the Mayor to immediately begin the process of identifying the next police chief through a national search and to allow for a thorough public review and Council consideration. I would like to see decisiveness and a sense of urgency to establish a clear chain of command to establish effective public safety. It is critical we have a leader that will communicate effectively with the public. The public should not tolerate randomness, arbitrariness or the dragging of feet. The public expects openness, transparency and collaboration in this hiring process that will serve as a basis to provide public confidence in its leadership.
"I look forward to working with Interim Chief Jim Pugel to implement body cameras on our police officers to enhance police accountability and public safety, execute a strong proactive policing plan by setting public safety enforcement and performance objectives and advancing the long-lasting positive changes in the police department as part of the Department of Justice Settlement Agreement."
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Councilmember Tim Burgess responds to the retirement of Chief Diaz
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/8/2013
Councilmember Tim Burgess
Councilmember Tim Burgess responds to the retirement of Chief Diaz
Seattle -- City Councilmember Tim Burgess issued the following statement today in response to today's announcement that Chief Diaz will retire:
"I thank Chief Diaz for his 33 years of dedicated service to the people of Seattle. The life of a police officer is rarely an easy one and John has served this city faithfully.
"This is a critical time for our police department. New leadership is necessary for implementing the reforms that will lead us to where we should be focused: more effective and evidence-based policing, preventing crime rather than just responding to it after it has occurred and improved police-community relations.
"Chief Diaz's retirement gives us an opportunity to move forward with new leadership. The chief of police is one of the most important positions in city government."
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Response to the Announced Retirement of Chief Diaz
I thank Chief Diaz for his 33 years of dedicated service to the people of Seattle. The life of a police officer is rarely an easy one and John has served this city faithfully. This is a critical time for...
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Statement on Bellevue Police Department action in Columbia City from Councilmembers Sally J. Clark and Bruce Harrell
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/8/2013
Council President Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Statement on Bellevue Police Department action in Columbia City
from Councilmembers Sally J. Clark and Bruce Harrell
Seattle -- Seattle City Councilmembers Sally J. Clark and Bruce Harrell issued the following statement on the Bellevue Police Department’s attempted warrant service and shooting in Columbia City:
“Two weeks ago the Bellevue Police Department attempted to serve a warrant in Columbia City. That action went terribly wrong to our minds. The result was the arguably unnecessary loss of life of the suspect, destruction of private property and the blooming of deep anger and suspicion from the neighborhood about police operations and law enforcement’s regard for the community.
We appreciate Bellevue Police Department Chief Linda Pillo’s request that the Seattle Police Department handle the officer-involved shooting investigation. A complete account must explain why the Bellevue PD choose to carry out the warrant service in the way they did and what steps were taken to ensure service of the warrant would result in the lowest risk of violence for both the suspect and the surrounding families.
Serving a warrant on an alleged violent offender can be dangerous and without question requires preparation. Officers must take steps to be safe. However, neighborhoods, whether in Bellevue or South Seattle, should be assured best practices are followed to ensure safety for all. Neighbors around 42nd and Hudson and throughout South Seattle deserve a full explanation of what happened March 22."
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Summer Art in the Park 2013
Did you know that Seattle’s Department of Parks & Recreation contributes to Seattle's ranking as a top U.S. arts destination?
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GREENWOOD/PHINNEY RIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN REZONE APPROVED
On Monday, April 1, the City Council unanimously approved Council Bill 117723, a rezone of the area west of Greenwood as recommended by the neighborhood plan stewardship group. The rezone applies Neighborhood Commercial (NC) zoning to the area between Greenwood and NW 3rd Avenue south of NW 87th Street and north of the alley between [...]
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City Hall Open House April 6
Seattle City Hall will be open on Saturday, April 6 for an Open House, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can visit the Mayor’s Office on the 7th floor, and Councilmember offices on the 2nd floor. There will be adoptable animals, food trucks, and performances (acrobatics at 11a, and the Massive Monkees at noon). [...]
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Seattle City Council Introduction and Referral Calendar April 8, 2013
Seattle City Council Introduction and Referral Calendar April 8, 2013 BY BURGESS 1. C.B. 117752 AN ORDINANCE appropriating money to pay certain audited claims and ordering the payment thereof. Committee referral: Full Council BY CLARK 2. C.B. 117753 AN ORDINANCE relating to historic preservation, imposing controls upon the Fashioncraft Building, a landmark designated by the [...]
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Pedestrian Safety, How Safe Are We?
Here’s an interesting article in the New York Times concerning “Pedestrian Safety” Let me know what you think.