A green graphic with the Lime scootershare and bikeshare logo says

Police and Public Safety

Barnes standard at the lectern with the City seal behind.

Harrell and SPOG Rush Police Contract, Hamstringing Civilian Responders, Accountability Agencies

While the Seattle Police Officers Guild scored a big raise and new benefits, the new labor contract negotiated by Mayor Bruce Harrell will continue to hamper the City’s new civilian crisis response department and its police accountability agencies.
The King County Jail and Administration Building is the backdrop for the press conference.

Seattle Drug Ordinance Fails to Meet Treatment Promises, Report Says

Earlier this month, the King County Department of Public Defense issued a report showing that the City of Seattle has fallen short on offering diversion and treatment to people criminalized by its new 2023 drug ordinance. During the reviewed period, only six prosecutions out of 215, resulted in someone either completing treatment or receiving a court order to that effect, less than 3%.
Harrell stands at a lectern with a grin. His deputy mayors and Burgess wear masks.

Harrell’s Office Buries Records Pertaining to Investigation into Chief of Staff

Mayor Bruce Harrell’s office appears to have deleted or is withholding a contract used to make a crucial legal decision regarding the Mayor’s newly-minted Chief of Staff, Andrew Myerberg. Harrell’s office appears to be violating the terms of the settlement agreement reached with the Seattle Times in 2023 over the widespread deletion of text messages in the Durkan administration.

Seattle School Board Rejects Bringing Police Officer Back to Garfield

Last week, the Seattle School Board rejected a year-long pilot program to install a police officer inside Garfield High School in a 5-2 vote. School board directors cited a chaotic process, community distrust, and a need to finetune the plan.
Barden stands at a lectern at a fire hall with a fire truck, fire chief, mayor, and CARE staff in the background.

Sales Tax Hike Would Fund Civilian Responder Expansion, Barring SPOG Obstruction

Mayor Bruce Harrell has proposed a 0.1% sales tax hike for public safety investments, including doubling the size of the civilian CARE department. However, CARE’s future rests on cooperation from the Seattle Police Officers Guild, which has sought to limit the fledgling agency in the past.
Officials including Bob Kettle and Debora Juarez and SPD top brass stand on the steps of Seattle's US Courthouse with a reporter outstretching an arm holding a mic to interview them

Harrell Pledges Police Contract by Year End – Adding Election Wrinkle

Mayor Bruce Harrell has pledged to complete labor negotiations with the Seattle Police Officers Guild before the end of the year. But facing a tough reelection fight, he might not be around to sign the deal, which challenger Katie Wilson may want to renegotiate anyway.

Seattle School Board Considers Returning Police to Garfield High

Last week, the Seattle School Board was scheduled to vote on a pilot program that would return police to Garfield High School, but delayed the vote to October 8. Critics have argued better ways exist to promote safety, and that a return of police could contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline and disparate outcomes for Black and brown students.

Seattle Council Greenlights Police Surveillance Expansion, Ignoring Community Objections

This week, the Seattle City Council took a controversial 7-2 vote to greatly expand the Seattle Police Department’s surveillance pilot program, as proposed by Mayor Bruce Harrell. Public comment was overwhelmingly against the idea, and progressive candidates also criticized the move.