Staff Biography
Amy Sundberg
ReporterAmy Sundberg is the publisher of Notes from the Emerald City, a weekly newsletter on Seattle politics and policy with a particular focus on public safety, police accountability, and the criminal legal system. She also writes science fiction, fantasy, and horror novels. She is particularly fond of Seattle’s parks, where she can often be found walking her little dog.
Recent Articles
Seattle Police Want to Add StarChase Car Tracking to Technology Arsenal
StarChase consists of GPS tracker launchers attached to police patrol cars that can deploy a GPS tracking tag onto another vehicle. The Seattle Police Department contends that acquiring this technology will help apprehend criminals without dangerous high-speed chases, but critics argue StarChase’s efficacy is low and deployment would expand the scope of warrantless surveillance.
Washington State Budget Compromise Leaves Many Hoping for More
The final state budget approved by the legislature left many lawmakers disappointed, and eager to start to work on ways to restore painful cuts and reform the state's broken tax code.
Ex-SPD Employee Jamie Tompkins Alleges City Allowed “Sexually Hostile Work Environment”
Evidence that led to the ouster of former SPD Chief Adrian Diaz is now coming into question, and Jamie Tompkins, the department's former Chief-of-Staff is pushing to negotiate a $3 million settlement from the city.
Ferguson’s Continued Focus on Austerity Places King County in Jeopardy
King County Council members are sounding the alarm after Governor Bob Ferguson’s opposition to lifting the property tax cap threw their future budget into chaos. Ferguson’s opposition to new revenue options is also jeopardizing the state budget and could force deep service cuts and potentially a special session to hammer out details.
Auditor Criticizes Seattle’s Approach to Gun Violence, Deputy Mayor Fires Back
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell pushed back against an auditor report calling for more coordination around gun violence prevention and criticizing SPD’s haphazard approach to investigations. Deputy Mayor Tiffani Washington said she felt disrespected by the audit process being reinitiated by Council President Sara Nelson and that the issue was already under control.