Today, Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) released the following statement on the 6-0 vote to approve legislation establishing new safety regulations for nightlife lounges operating after 2 a.m. Over the past decade, there have been dozens of shootings and homicides that have occurred in connection with these venues. CB 120956 was co-sponsored by Council...
Category: Public Safety
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City Council passes new safety regulations for after-hours lounges
New regulations developed in collaboration with operators seek to address persistent violence The City Council today voted 6-0 to approve a new amended ordinance relating to regulation of after-hours nightlife lounges that are open between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. In light of a recent double murder at a nightclub in Rainier...
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City Council approves resolution endorsing holistic approach to public safety
Today the City Council adopted a resolution, sponsored by Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1), strengthening Seattle’s commitment to a comprehensive approach to public safety. The resolution expresses appreciation for the community’s first responders, recognizes work done to reform the Seattle Police Department (SPD), endorses accountability measures, calls for diversified responses to 911 calls as offered...
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City unveils new safety regulations proposal for late night lounges
Bill seeks to improve safety of patrons and surrounding neighborhood areas Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), chair of the Public Safety Committee, in close collaboration with City Attorney Ann Davison and Mayor Bruce Harrell, has unveiled a new plan to regulate night lounges that operate after 2 a.m. The proposed ordinance would require lounges to...
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Councilmember Saka introduces resolution focused on future of public safety in Seattle
Reiterates support for first responders, acknowledges failure of defund movement and embraces focus on underserved communities Today’s 9:30 a.m. meeting of the Public Safety Committee will feature a discussion of Councilmember Rob Saka’s (District 1) recently introduced Resolution 32167, which recognizes the City’s targeted public safety work over the last year. The resolution is another...
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Council passes updated guidance for crowd management, sets the stage for end of federal consent decree
The City Council voted 6-3 today to approve final legislation on crowd management guidelines for the Seattle Police Department (SPD). The updated guidelines include several amendments intended to provide additional oversight and accountability, including checks on the use of blast balls. “The crowd management guidelines we passed today strike an important balance of giving our...
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Council President Nelson urges continued focus on public safety in 2025 after record number of bills passed in 2024
Noting the high number of public safety-related bills adopted by the Seattle City Council in 2024, today Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) welcomed incoming interim Chief of Police Shon Barnes to Seattle and urged a redoubling of city efforts on Seattle’s ongoing public safety challenges in the new year. In its first year, the...
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Councilmember Kettle welcomes new Police Chief Shon Barnes
Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), chair of the Public Safety Committee, released the following statement on today’s announced appointment of Shon Barnes as Seattle’s Chief of Police. “I extend a warm welcome to Chief Barnes to Seattle and congratulate him on the opportunity to lead one of the finest police departments in the country and...
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Councilmember Rivera’s statement on appointment of Shon Barnes as Police Chief
Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) today released the following statement on Mayor Bruce Harrell’s appointment of Shon Barnes as Seattle’s next Chief of Police: “While I have not had an opportunity to meet Chief Barnes yet, it sounds like he is very experienced and well-respected in his field. I look forward to building a collaborative...
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Councilmember Maritza Rivera’s statement on fatal stabbing of a King County Metro bus driver in Seattle
Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) released a statement on the stabbing that occurred in the University District: “Today’s fatal stabbing of King County Metro bus driver Shawn Yim is a horrible tragedy, and I want to convey my deepest condolences to his family, and all his co-workers. Our public servants should never be subjected to...