Bruce Harrell sits at a desk signing some orders at City Hall with a dozen supporters looking on.

Centrists Turn to Old Formula: Crime Fears and More Money for Cops

The progressive wing of Seattle politics is having a vigorous debate about the future of the city with plenty of new policy ideas bouncing...
Police gathered in large numbers to ensure houseless were swept and cleared in rapid fashion with no interruption from encampment residents or their allies. (Photo by Enrico Doan)

Consent Decree Judge Contemplates Police Reform under a New City Attorney

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge James Robart summoned City Attorney Pete Holmes and Court Monitor Anthony Oftelie to his courtroom to get an update...
Protestors gather behind a police barricade at the East Precinct building, chanting “Hands up, don’t shoot,” on Sunday, May 31.

Durkan Declares Seattle Fed-Free, but Her Own Violent ‘Troops’ Dig In

Mayor Jenny Durkan did a victory lap on national media yesterday declaring Seattle free of federal agents, but local residents noted that the Seattle...

North Precinct Goes Before The City Council

On Wednesday, the Seattle City Council's Gender Equity, Safe Communities, and New Americans Committee heard from Seattle Police Department (SPD) and staff from other...
Wilson wears a black blazer and stands on the balcony outside her seventh floor office, with the downtown skyline in the background

One Week In, Katie Wilson Charts the Path Ahead

The Urbanist recently sat down with Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson to get the latest on initiatives she has cooking now that her team is in office. We touched on emergency housing, bus lanes, World Cup preparations, Sound Transit, culture change at the police department, and more.

Seattle High School Students Fight for Safety

Mayor Harrell may have come around on the Youth Violence Prevention Initiative he helped defund during his time on Seattle City Council. In 2020, guns...
Several sheriff vehicles park on Pine Street in Downtown Seattle next to the light rail station.

Seattle’s Stay Out Orders and Encampment Sweeps Continue Trend toward Criminalization

Emboldened by the Supreme Court's sweep-friendly Grants Pass decision, the Seattle City Council is advancing stay out zones in hopes of criminalizing drug abuse, sex work, and homelessness out of existence. History suggests this will not work.

Sunday Video: How Do You Punish Bad Drivers?

Dave Amos of City Beautiful dives into the thorny issue of punishing bad drivers and the many challenges that stem from lawlessness and impunity on roadways.