Harrell Pushes to Expand Recently Passed Surveillance Camera Pilot Program
Mayor Bruce Harrell is proposing to expand his three-month-old surveillance pilot program by installing more police cameras and funneling data from hundreds of traffic management cameras into the Seattle Police Department’s real-time crime center. The move has draw criticism from civil liberties groups.
Washington Cities Question Use of License Plate Readers Citing Federal Overreach
A recent University of Washington report on data security issues with automatic license plate readers has been creating waves among law enforcement agencies using the technology, including Lynnwood, Redmond, and Stanwood. Other cities remain committed, despite the risks.
Seattle Council Seeks to Ban People Charged with Drug Crimes from Swaths of City
Hoping to disrupt the drug trade and prostitution, centrist councilmembers are resurrecting regressive exclusion zone policies that have failed repeatedly in the past.
Seattle Council Targets Nuisance Properties, Graffiti, and Safety-Themed Sales Tax Bump
Last Tuesday, the Seattle City Council voted 7-1 to pass changes to the city’s 16-year-old nuisance property ordinance that will expand the powers of the Seattle Police Department (SPD) to declare a business or residence a “chronic nuisance.” As Council ramps up criminalization and weighs funding more addiction treatment services, do their plans add up to a cohesive strategy?
Chair Mosqueda Announces ‘Delicately’ Balanced City Budget Package
Council actions rearrange Mayor’s budget proposal based on short term coverage from JumpStart tax.
Seattle’s budget season is moving into its final stages as Budget...
Harrell’s Expanded Surveillance Program Clears Hurdle in Seattle Council
Despite public outcry and limited outreach, Seattle City Council’s public safety committee greenlit Mayor Harrell's pilot program installing 24/7 surveillance cameras in three neighborhoods and purchasing real-time crime center software and staff. The legislation moves to a full council vote on October 8.
Harrell’s Dual-Responder Proposal Would Fail to Civilianize Crisis Response
Seattle's road to a non-police alternative to address its behavioral health crisis has been a long, convoluted one.
This month the new Community Assisted Response...
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.