Today Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), chair of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, released the following statement after gun violence at Seattle Center claimed the lives of three people during the Bite of Seattle annual food festival. “Last night’s shooting at the Seattle Center was a profound tragedy, and my thoughts are with the victims, their families, and loved ones. In the face of this...
Robert Kettle
Posts from Councilmember Kettle
Councilmember Kettle calls for realignment of city budget
Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7) shared the following observations, following a letter he sent to Mayor Katie B. Wilson on Monday, July 20. As the City Council gears up for the upcoming fall budget process, the City of Seattle is facing a projected $175 million budget deficit next year. There’s a narrative that West Coast blue cities are incapable of being well run. We must push back on that narrative, starting with prudence around our budget, spending, and taxes. Every day, we must fulfill our charter...
Public Safety Chair Kettle urges Mayor to reconsider post-FIFA community safety camera shutoff
Today, Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), chair of the Public Safety Committee, released the following statement with respect to Mayor Katie B. Wilson’s announcement Tuesday that she has “turned off” cameras in the Stadium District and halted the previously approved expansion of the Real Time Crime Center program. “As local elected officials, we all take an oath to the Charter...
Councilmember Kettle proposes transit measure alternative with sharpened focus on service needs and affordability
Reduces sticker shock while also investing critical transit needs Today, Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7) announced that he’s introducing an affordable alternative to the Seattle Transit Measure renewal, CB 121226, proposed by the mayor and currently being considered by the City Council. The mayor’s proposal would increase the sales tax by 0.15% to 0.3%, while Councilmember Kettle’s amendment would increase...
Councilmember Kettle calls for a regional approach to address the homelessness crisis
Today, Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7) released the following statement after Mayor Katie B. Wilson announced King County and the City of Seattle’s joint plan for the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA). “We have a regional homelessness problem on our local streets of Seattle,” said Councilmember Kettle. “We need, in turn, a regional approach to address the homelessness crisis that we face. To abandon the regional approach now would place...
Councilmember Kettle commends Mayor’s decision to activate stadium CCTV cameras
Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7) issued this statement following Mayor Katie B. Wilson’s announcement Friday that she will turn on closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed near the City’s stadiums. The decision comes ahead of Seattle’s FIFA World Cup events which are scheduled to begin on June 15. “I commend Mayor Wilson on her decision to turn on the Stadium District...
Councilmember Kettle criticizes CCTV camera ‘pause’ as unjustified, demands rollout before World Cup
Councilmember Bob Kettle issued the following statement related to a letter sent by his office to Mayor Katie B. Wilson calling on her to turn on the City’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras. The letter notes that the mayor’s decision to “pause” the rollout of the cameras is inconsistent with the City ordinances that created the program.
Councilmember Kettle calls out Sound Transit: ‘Seattle needs the transit we were promised’
Councilmember Bob Kettle voiced strong support for the Ballard light rail project and urged Sound Transit board members to find a solution to build it.
Councilmember Kettle calls for a comprehensive shelter plan and additional study
Ahead of today’s City Council meeting, Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), called for a robust process to guide high acuity shelter capacity expansion in response to Mayor Katie Wilson’s proposed transitional encampment bill (CB 121195).
Public Safety Chair Kettle on value of Real Time Crime Center in recent assault arrests
Urges city officials to maintain public safety investments Today Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), who serves as chair of the Public Safety Committee, issued the following statement in response to last week’s arrest of a suspect accused of randomly beating a 77-year old man in downtown. Seattle Police detectives used footage obtained by the City’s Closed-Circuit Television cameras to identify...
Public Safety Chair Kettle statement on Yesler Terrace shooting
‘Effective intervention requires deep engagement with the communities most impacted’ Today Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), who serves as chair of the Public Safety Committee, released the following statement on yesterday’s shooting at the Yesler Terrace Community Center. Shots were fired after a press conference occurred with Mayor Wilson in attendance. According to Seattle Police, no one was injured and...
Councilmember Kettle on results of King County Regional Homelessness Authority audit
Today Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), who serves as chair of the Public Safety Committee, issued the following statement on the released findings of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCHRA) forensic audit. The evaluation was commissioned by the City of Seattle and King County and conducted by Clark Nuber P.S. It examines the agency’s operations between the period of...