FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/22/2013
Council President Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Tim Burgess
Councilmember Richard Conlin
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Councilmember Nick Licata
Cou...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/11/2013
Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell
Councilmember Harrell seeks applications for
the Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities
Seattle -- Councilmember Bruce Harrell announced today the City is seeking candidates for three vacant positions on the Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities.
The Commission is a 16-member body that advises the Mayor, City Council and City departments on issues that affect people with disabilities. The Commission works to increase understanding within the disability community as well as between the disability community and the nondisabled community. The Commission monitors and provides expertise on issues that affect people with disabilities in Transportation, Housing, Employment and Public Accommodations.
Councilmember Harrell strongly encourages veterans with disabilities to apply. The most recent data shows that veterans make up 9.4% of the population for people with disabilities in the United States. As of May 2012, 45% of the 1.6 million veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were seeking compensation for service-related injuries with these numbers currently on the rise. This is more than double the estimate of 21% who filed claims after the Gulf War in the early 1990s.
"The representation of our veterans with disabilities on the Commission is absolutely essential to greater communication between the City and the communities we serve. Their representation will work to facilitate a greater understanding of the issues that affect veterans with disabilities and create a more inclusive Seattle while creating policy decisions," said Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology committee.
Interested candidates should deliver a resume and cover letter by April 30th to Councilmember Bruce Harrell by email (bruce.harrell@seattle.gov), by fax (206-684-8587; provide cover memo with Attn: Bruce Harrell) or by mail to:
Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Seattle City Council
P.O. Box 34025
Seattle, WA 98124-4025
Appointment to the Commission is subject to confirmation by the City Council. Commissioners serve two-year terms, although may be appointed to fill the remainder of an existing term.
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."
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."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/1/2013
Councilmember Richard Conlin
Council President Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Seven remaining Councilmembers announce candidacy for Mayor
Will run as collective
Seattle -- The seven Councilmembers who are not already in the race for Mayor today announced that they will pioneer a new model for Seattle governance by running for Mayor as a collective. The seven will appear on the ballot as a single name, "O'Bagcloddenconrasita," reflecting their collegial approach to the position.
"Experience teaches us that seven heads are better than one," said the group speaking in unison. "Seven of nine is an excellent model for decision-making," they commented, making the obligatory geeky Star Trek allusion.
"This way the people of Seattle will know that there will always be a Mayor on the job," O'Bagcloddenconrasita added. "By taking shifts, we can cover the Mayor's office 24-7. And the Mayor can lobby in Olympia, cut a ribbon in West Seattle, and hold a town meeting in Ballard, all at the same time."
Commenting on the legality of the proposed candidacy, City Attorney Pete Holmes was sanguine about the outcome of any possible court challenge. "Nothing in the City Charter prevents innovative approaches to governance," Holmes added. "Furthermore, this will make it much easier to get a Mayoral signature on City documents."
The group noted that the departure of seven Councilmembers simultaneously would make it difficult to do business and fill the seven vacancies on the Council, since there would not be a quorum remaining. However, the group agreed that this could easily be resolved by the use of serial resignations spaced one week apart between the election and taking office on January 1. That way, each week eight Councilmembers could conduct business and appoint someone to the vacant seat. By the end of December, seven new Councilmembers would be seated and join Mayor O'Bagcloddenconrasita in governing the City.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3/7/2013
Council President Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell
Seattle City Council to hear from Department of Justice Monitor Merrick Bobb
Seattle - Seattle City Council will host Merrick Bobb and members of the Monitoring team at Council Briefing on Monday, March 11. Bobb is the court-appointed independent monitor for the Department of Justice (DOJ) Settlement Agreement and will provide an update and briefing on the Monitoring Plan.
"The Council looks forward to hearing Merrick Bobb's thoughts and plans to help our Police Department implement the changes required under the Settlement Agreement. We are encouraged that a Monitoring Plan will soon be approved by the Court and look forward to a focused approach on specific outcomes," said Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Public Safety committee.
The Monitoring Plan for the first year was submitted on March 5 and the Department of Justice filed its "Notice of Approval of the Monitoring Plan for the First Year" with the U.S. District Court on March 6. This is a critical checkpoint in Seattle's DOJ Settlement Agreement. The proposed Monitoring Plan establishes expectations and guidance for the City and DOJ on how the Monitor will assess compliance with the Settlement Agreement.
Monitoring Plan as submitted to U.S. Federal District Judge Hon. James Robart on March 5.
WHAT: Council Briefing
WHEN: Monday, March 11, 2013, at 9 a.m.
WHERE: Council Chambers, second floor
Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, Seattle 98104
WHO: Council President Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Tim Burgess
Councilmember Richard Conlin
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Merrick Bobb (Department of Justice Monitoring Team)
Chris Moulton (Department of Justice Monitoring Team)
Nick Armstrong (Department of Justice Monitoring Team)
Peter Ehrlichman (Department of Justice Monitoring Team)
Ronald Ward (Department of Justice Monitoring Team)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3/12/2013
Councilmember Bruce A Harrell
Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell's statement
on ruling by U.S. District Judge Robart
SEATTLE - The Monitoring Plan for the first year was submitted by the federal monitor, Merrick Bobb, on March 5 and the Department of Justice filed its "Notice of Approval of the Monitoring Plan for the First Year" with the U.S. District Court on March 6. This afternoon, U.S. District Judge James Robart approved the Monitoring Plan.
Today, Councilmember Bruce Harrell, Chair of the Council’s Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee, released the following statement regarding the ruling by U.S. District Judge James Robart on the Monitoring Plan:
"This marks another significant step in moving forward together to implement the necessary long-lasting positive changes in the Police Department. As we have witnessed in the last few weeks, the Settlement Agreement process is complex. In speaking with the dedicated and hard-working police officers at the Seattle Police Department, I have no doubt we are moving in a positive direction to improve public trust and providing the highest level of service in a constitutional manner. The Monitoring Plan is a roadmap that sets clear metrics on achieving this outcome. As we move forward, we will hit speed bumps and at those times, we must all remind ourselves to put the City first in order to improve public trust and avoid any delays in implementation of the plan. The key will be openness, transparency, and collaboration."
On Wednesday, March 13, at 5:30 pm, the Public Safety Committee will take action on the appointments to the Community Police Commission. The Community Police Commission will be presented to the public and the meeting will start with a public hearing. The Community Police Commission is a critical element of the Settlement Agreement to impartially review and make recommendations on policies related to use of force and biased policing.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3/13/2013
Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Seattle City Councilmember Harrell seeks Commissioner applications
for the Seattle Immigrant and Refugee Commission
SEATTLE - Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell today annou...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3/18/2013
Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell
Councilmember Nick Licata
Seattle -- The Seattle City Council today unanimously passed legislation to require City departments to obtain Council approval prior to acquiring certain surveillance equipment. Council Bill 117730 additionally requires Council review and approval of department protocols for operating the surveillance equipment and managing the data collected by it.
Through an open and transparent discussion, the Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology committee listened to the public's concerns regarding the use of surveillance equipment and acted to ensure strong legislative protocols are in place to protect the public's privacy and civil liberties.
Council Bill 117730 creates a decision framework for City departments to acquire surveillance equipment. Before acquiring any surveillance equipment, City departments must obtain approval from the City Council. The department must also propose operational protocols that address how the equipment will be used and protocols that address logistics around data retention, storage, and access. If the Council approves a department's request to obtain the surveillance equipment, the department cannot use the equipment until Council adopts operational protocols by ordinance.
"With this inclusive legislation, the Council is proactively setting up a framework to ensure the public is involved regarding the use of surveillance equipment," said Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology committee. "The City establishes public trust by earning it through openness and transparency in its decision making."
"For me, the question is should a free society allow personal activities that occur in public to come under 24/7 surveillance? I think that this legislation strikes a balance that provides for safety without compromising the principles of our democracy," said Councilmember Nick Licata.
Departments that currently have surveillance equipment in place must propose operational and data management protocols for Council review and approval no later than 30 days after the effective date of Council Bill 117730.
The information required for the operational and data management protocols include:
1. A clear statement describing the purpose and use of the proposed surveillance equipment.
2. The type of surveillance equipment to be acquired and used.
3. The intended specific location of such surveillance equipment if affixed to a building or other structure.
4. How and when a department proposes to use the surveillance equipment, such as whether the equipment will be operated continuously or used only under specific circumstances.
5. How the department's use of the equipment will be regulated to protect privacy and limit the risk of potential abuse.
6. A description of how and when data will be collected and retained and who will have access to any data captured by the surveillance equipment.
7. The extent to which activity will be monitored in real time as data is being captured and the extent to which monitoring of historically recorded information will occur.
8. A description of the nature and extent of public outreach conducted in each community in which the department intends to use the surveillance equipment.
9. The time period for which any data collected by surveillance equipment will be retained.
10. The methods for storing recorded information, including how the data is to be labeled or indexed. Such methods must allow for the department personnel and the City Auditor's Office to readily search and locate specific data that is collected and determine with certainty that data was properly deleted, consistent with applicable law.
11. How the data may be accessed, including who will be responsible for authorizing access, who will be allowed to request access, and acceptable reasons for requesting access.
12. A viewer's log or other comparable method to track viewings of any data captured or collected by the surveillance equipment, including the date, time, the individuals involved, and the reason(s) for viewing the records.
13. A description of the individuals who have authority to obtain copies of the records and how the existence and location of copies will be tracked.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3/8/2013
Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell
Seattle's Community Police Commission appointees are presented to the public
Seattle's Community Police Commission appointees are presented to the public
Seattle - Councilmember Br...