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 new City Council adopted 14...
Robert Kettle
Blog Posts from Councilmember Kettle
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 build on the work that...
Council’s Public Safety and Transportation chairs call for more transit security funding
Today Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), chair of the Public Safety Committee, and Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1), chair of the Transportation Committee, released the following joint statement in response to the early morning fatal stabbing of King County Metro bus driver Shawn Yim. “First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of Shawn Yim. Today’s...
Seattle Councilmember and Public Safety Chair Bob Kettle’s statement on termination of former police chief
Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), chair of the Public Safety Committee, released the following statement regarding today’s announcement of former Seattle Chief of Police Adrian Diaz being relieved of his duties: “I support Mayor Bruce Harrell’s decision and appreciate the work of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) in reaching its findings in the investigation. This is a difficult situation...
Councilmember Kettle wishes Councilmember Morales ‘fair winds and following seas’ in her next chapter
I want to thank Councilmember Morales for her service to District 2 and the whole of Seattle. I recognize we approach issues from different perspectives but her collaboration and co-sponsorship on our Vacant Building Abatement legislation is particularly appreciated. It’s an example of working together to provide for a safer Seattle from dangerous buildings that can also contribute to the blight...
City council approves police recruitment bonuses and technology for crime prevention tools
Bills part of the council’s coordinated focus on improving public safety Today the Seattle City Council overwhelmingly approved legislation, sponsored by Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9), to further accelerate police hiring by offering competitive bonuses to attract the new police recruits from across the country. The full Council also passed Councilmember Bob Kettle’s (District 7) sponsored legislation that clears...
Law targeting drug-related criminal activity passes City Council
Legislation marks another major accomplishment for council’s public safety work Today the Seattle City Council adopted the creation of Stay Out of Drug Areas (SODA) which authorize the courts to prohibit a defendant from entering a designated areas in the city if they commit a drug-related criminal offense in that zone. Introduced in partnership with City Attorney Ann Davison, the...
Seattle City Councilmember Kettle’s Mid-Year Update
At a public safety forum this past spring, moderator Enrique Cerna started his conversation with Mayor Harrell by stating how he was struck while watching a news report on two recent shootings in the Central District. A resident in the report said, “I hate to say this but it’s just another day here in the Central District.” Cerna said the...
Council approves expansion of license plate reading technology for police vehicles
Tool aimed at improving public safety, preventing crimes, and helping investigations SEATTLE – The Seattle City Council passed legislation today that will expand automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology to the entire Seattle Police Department’s fleet. This technology is an important tool to help address crime across the city, both in-progress activity and investigations after-the-fact. To address privacy concerns, the...
Council Passes Legislation to Demolish Dangerous, Vacant Buildings
The emergency legislation will take effect immediately after being signed by the Mayor SEATTLE – The Seattle City Council unanimously passed legislation today that would allow the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) to swiftly order the demolition or remediation of unsafe vacant buildings that pose risks to public safety. The bill was sponsored by Councilmembers Bob Kettle (District 7, Downtown to...
An open letter to all Seattleites: Our first 100 days
The most consequential moment of Mayor Bruce Harrell’s recent public safety forum was at the beginning. As moderator Enrique Cerna started his conversation with Mayor Harrell, he mentioned how he was struck while watching a news report on two recent shootings in the Central District. A resident in the report said, “I hate to say this but it’s just another...
Councilmember Kettle Visits MOHAI, Attends Fire Station 31 Groundbreaking
Last Friday, February 2nd, Councilmember Kettle and his staff visited the Museum of History and Industry. This was the first in-district “field trip” for the Councilmember, and while he was there, he was greeted by the Executive Director Leonard Garfield, Director of Education Sondra Snyder, Ben Straley, Mike Stanley, and Maureen Frisch. The MOHAI is one of the most...