Today Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1), chair of the Transportation, Waterfront and Seattle Center Committee, proposed the groundwork for first-of-its-kind traffic safety legislation — the Seattle SAFER (Safe Accountable Flexible Equitable Responsive) Streets Act. Chair Saka’s proposed package will feature three complementary pieces of legislation designed to strengthen traffic safety and accelerate progress toward Seattle’s ambitious Vision Zero goal of...
Press Releases
The latest press releases from Seattle City Councilmembers.
Councilmember Rivera brings Council resolution to implement new gun violence intervention strategy
National Network for Safe Communities is nationally recognized for results in reducing gun violence Today Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) ) introduced a resolution that will declare the Seattle City Council’s commitment to implement an evidence-based, comprehensive gun violence reduction strategy. Councilmember Rivera’s proposal comes after a string of high-profile gun violence incidents, including last month’s mass shooting at Seattle...
Councilmember Lin leads investment of Community Fund for Northern District 2
On Tuesday, the City Council passed the mid-year supplemental budget including an amendment from Councilmember Lin that invests $500,000 in a Northern District 2 community fund. The City Council directed these funds to the Human Services Department (HSD) to provide two neighborhood outreach positions focused on North Beacon Hill and North Rainier. “North Beacon Hill and North Rainier cannot wait...
Public Safety Chair Kettle shares his experience of the night of the Seattle Center shooting
Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7) released the following statement on his constructed timeline the night of the July 26 mass shooting at Seattle Center. The timeline was discussed earlier today at the Public Safety Committee. “After receiving a call about the mass shooting from Deputy Mayor Brian Surratt, I immediately went to Seattle Center. I did so, given my role...
Councilmember Kettle Bite of Seattle Timeline
(Approximately 6 p.m. – preliminary reports of gunfire to SPD) 6:10 p.m. – Multiple notifications from the community (6:29 p.m. – First X/Twitter post from SPD investigating shooting at Seattle Center) 6:38 p.m. – First of series of texts to CMBK office staff 7:05 p.m. – Deputy Mayor (DM) Surratt call 7:09 p.m. – Councilmember (CM) Strauss call 7:18 p.m....
Public Safety Chair Kettle calls for systematic review of Seattle Center shooting incident
On Monday, Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7) delivered a letter to Mayor Katie B. Wilson, calling on her office to collaborate on a procedural review of the handling of last month’s Seattle Center mass shooting, including potential lessons learned. “The tragedy that recently unfolded during the Bite of Seattle at Seattle Center on July 26 has underscored the need for...
Councilmember Strauss announces legislation to create pathways to housing for people living in their vehicles
Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6) announced six new pieces of legislation today, called the Vehicle Resident Assistance Program (VRAP), aimed at creating pathways to shelter and housing for people who live in their vehicles. “One out of every four people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in our region is living in their vehicle. Right now, the City of Seattle does...
Councilmember Rivera thanks Seattle voters for strong Library Levy renewal support
Today Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4), chair of the Libraries, Education and Neighborhoods Committee who helped oversee the levy renewal process, thanked Seattle voters for overwhelmingly approving the ballot measure. Initial results showed voter support at over 70%. The $480 million Library Levy will fund a number of critical services for the Seattle Public Library’s 27 branches over the next...
Councilmember Foster champions successful youth homelessness prevention program for Seattle
City, philanthropy, and community partners unite to keep young people safely housed Today Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9) announced a proven public-private partnership that will bring Washington state’s nationally recognized Homelessness Prevention and Diversion Fund (HPDF) to Seattle, helping young people remain safely housed and preventing youth homelessness. Enabled through the City’s 2026 Mid-Year Supplemental Budget, the partnership leverages City investment and philanthropic funding from the Washington Acceleration Fund, which is matching the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) investment at least dollar-for-dollar. The partnership brings together HSD, United...
Sound Transit announces timeline for building light rail to Ballard
Sound Transit announced today that the Ballard Light Rail Extension could begin service to Market Street in Ballard by 2042 if it is able to close the project’s funding gap by 2033. “As a board and an agency, we are united in our commitment to deliver the full Ballard Light Rail Extension and all voter-approved ST3 projects,” said King County Executive Girmay Zahilay (Sound Transit Board Member). “The information provided by...
City Councilmembers react to Police Chief Barnes’ departure, voice major concerns
Today Council President Joy Hollingsworth (District 3), Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6), Councilmember Debora Juarez (District 5), Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7, Public Safety Chair), released this statement following an official announcement from Mayor Katie B. Wilson that Police Chief Shon Barnes has resigned. “Our city faces profound public safety challenges, from youth gun violence destroying lives to drug markets and human trafficking plaguing our neighborhoods. After the Seattle Center shooting, our focus should be on the lives lost and how we can address gun violence...
Councilmembers respond to reported dismissal of Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes
Councilmembers released the following statements regarding unofficial reports that Mayor Katie Wilson has dismissed Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes.