As the final Public Safety Committee meeting of 2025 concluded today, Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), the Committee’s chair, offered reflections on the City’s coordinated work over the past two years.

In 2023, Seattle voters sent a clear message to City Hall: public safety needs to be a priority.

Nearly two years later, I’m proud to say we’ve worked hard towards achieving a safe base – a stable, foundational level of public safety that allows our city to thrive. The job is not yet done, and there’s more to do.

We’ve seen improvements across the board: police hiring is going up, with a net increase of 94 officers so far this year, showing a renewed interest in serving our city. Perhaps most importantly, crime statistics are showing a welcome decrease, with 36% fewer homicides, 23% fewer car thefts, and 19% fewer burglaries this year compared to last.

However, there’s a narrative that our efforts are somehow in vain and any real improvements in public safety can be explained away by national trends. Don’t buy it.

The collaborative spirit in City government on public safety has been a consistent key to achieving these real results. The timing also proves this isn’t a coincidence. 

Moving forward, it’s essential that we maintain this approach and look to work with the Wilson administration. The work isn’t over, and continued vigilance and collaboration are crucial to ensure Seattle continues its path to being a safe and thriving city for everyone.

Councilmember Kettle’s full statement can be found on the Seattle City Council Blog.   

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