Police and Public Safety

Couches and chairs provided area to relax for patients.

Kirkland’s New Mental Health Crisis Center Top Contender for Levy Contract

Kirkland Connections is a new 24/7 mental health crisis center that could prove a model for the five crisis centers a county levy approved and funded in 2023. Such services are rare in the region.
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...
Othello light rail station. (Credit: Doug Trumm)

Every 40 Days Train Collisions Happen in the Rainier Valley

Sound Transit has been operating Central Link since 2009, and in that time period, the light rail line has been consistently plagued by collisions...
A white man in glasses and suit poses in from of the Seattle skyline

Op-Ed: End Cash Bail for Nonviolent Misdemeanors

Too many people are sitting in a jail cell simply because they cannot afford bail while they await trial. Seattle City Attorney candidate Nathan Rouse lays out the case to end cash ball for nonviolent misdemeanors.
Nelson displays a letter showing the logo of several busines sgroups including the Chamber, Downtown Seattle Association, NAOIP, and others.

Seattle Council Narrowly Rejects ‘War on Drugs’ Bill

Councilmembers Nelson and Pedersen, with scant evidence, claimed jail and forced treatment would make a dent in the opiate epidemic. The push to reignite the...

Bob Kettle Alleges Safe Street Upgrades Hinder Emergency Response, Lacking Evidence

Seattle Councilmember Bob Kettle has asserted that projects intended to improve traffic safety can negatively impact emergency response. The data to back it up is not there.

King County Delays Closure of Youth Jail Until at Least 2028

King County will not achieve its stated goal of closing its youth jail by 2025, Executive Dow Constantine announced last week. The new timeline is 2028 at the earliest, and some Seattle leaders remain hesitant.
Mayor Jenny Durkan gave soon-to-retire Police Chief Carmen Best some flowers to express her gratitude during a press conference about blocking police budget cuts in the Norm Rice room at City Hall. (Seattle Channel)

Mayor Durkan Vetoes Rebalancing Package Decrying Police Cuts, ‘Irresponsible’ Investments

Mayor Jenny Durkan again reached for her veto pen today, nixing the entire rebalancing package passed on August 10th. The Seattle City Council was...