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Public Safety Chair Kettle: Setting the record straight on misconceptions about technology used by Seattle Police Department for crime prevention

Ahead of Tuesday’s Public Safety Committee meeting Councilmember and committee Chair Bob Kettle (District 7) released this statement following recent news coverage about technology used by the Seattle Police Department (SPD) for purposes of community safety and crime prevention. These issues relate specifically to Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology, SPD’s Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) public...

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Rivera bill prohibits ALL City employees from sharing sensitive information for use in civil immigration enforcement

Council approves bill 8-0 The City Council today voted 8-0 to approve a bill sponsored by Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) that prohibits City employees from sharing non-publicly available personal information for use in the enforcement of civil immigration laws, unless required by law or court order. The legislation codifies the state’s Keep Washington Working...

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Councilmember Rinck and regional leaders take action to prevent new immigration detention centers in King County

Emergency legislation to be heard by full Council February 24 Today Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Position 8), in partnership with King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, Port of Seattle Commissioner Toshiko Hasegawa, and SeaTac Deputy Mayor Senayet Negusse announced support for emergency legislation in response to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) potential moves...

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Seattle City Council approves legislation to begin funding voter-approved social housing 

The Seattle City Council unanimously approved legislation today, co-sponsored by Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6) and Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9), to fulfill the will of Seattle voters and begin funding the Seattle Social Housing Developer. Seattle voters approved Proposition 1A in February 2025, with more than 63 percent voting in favor, to help combat...

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Rivera introduces bill prohibiting City employees from sharing sensitive data with immigration enforcement

Legislation to be heard in Public Safety Committee Tuesday Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) has introduced a new bill (CB 121158) that amends Seattle’s Municipal Code to explicitly prohibit City employees from sharing non-public information for use in the enforcement of civil immigration laws, in the absence of a judicial warrant, and strikes old code...

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Councilmember Juarez statement on federal immigration enforcement activity in Seattle 

Councilmember Debora Juarez (District 5) released the following statement after Mayor Katie Wilson’s announcement to address federal immigration enforcement in Seattle. Councilmember Juarez’s statement also comes after recent activity in her district by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.  “Our country is no stranger to crimes against humanity. Now ICE in the 21st century is continuing this deplorable, inhumane practice. There is no longer time for performative pearl clutching and...

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Councilmember Rivera commends Mayor’s initial steps to prepare for potential increase of ICE enforcement

Today, Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4), issued the following statement supporting Mayor Katie Wilson’s proactive measures to prepare the city for the possibility of increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity. “The Federal Administration is not only acting with brutality, but I believe it is also acting outside constitutional law. When our own government operates...

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Councilmember Saka praises Mayor’s actions on ICE activity in Seattle

Today, Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1), released the following statement in support of the Mayor Katie Wilson’s announced actions to protect Seattle community members from the ongoing escalation of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity nationwide.  “I want to commend Mayor Wilson for her announcement today and for the direct actions she’s taking to protect...

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Councilmember Lin statement on the killing of a second Minneapolis resident by federal immigration agents

City Councilmember Eddie Lin (District 2) released the following statement after the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by federal immigration agents on Saturday, Jan. 24 — less than three weeks after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shot and killed Renee Good, also in Minneapolis. “I am absolutely devastated by the actions of...

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Councilmember Foster calls for transparency and accountability following release of disturbing police officer remarks at Cal Anderson Park protest

Today Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9) issued the following statement regarding recently released footage that includes disturbing comments from a Seattle Police officer. The incident took place last May during a counterprotest at Cal Anderson Park.  “I am disturbed by the newly released body-worn camera footage related to the May 2025 protest response at Cal...