Tag: Public Safety

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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...

Seattle Waterfront.
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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...

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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....

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Councilmember Rob Saka proposes amendments exploring new transportation options in South Lake Union and additional transit security

Today Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1) announced that he’s introducing transit-focused amendments to the 2025-26 Budget package for consideration heading into final stages of the adoption process. With respect to the South Lake Union Streetcar transition amendment: “As Transportation Committee Chair, I’m deeply concerned that residents aren’t getting what they paid for when it comes...

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Councilmember Rob Saka Funds Women in Policing Initiative

Includes one professional staff to coordinate the ‘30×30’ Initiative Today, as part of the Council’s balancing package, Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1) adds one additional Seattle Police Department staff to advance a department-wide effort to meet the goal of having 30% women on the police force by 2030. The program, known as the 30×30, is...

Police officer driving.
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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...

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Councilmember Morales’ Statement on the passage of SODA/SOAP legislation

Councilmember Tammy J. Morales (District 2) made the following remarks regarding the passage of CB 120835 (SODA) and CB 120836 (SOAP) at the meeting of the City Council this afternoon: “The City of Seattle had both SODA and SOAP zones for over 20 years and research has proven these orders did not reduce drug use...