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.
Transit Workers Demand Safety Fixes as They Mourn Shawn Yim
The death of Metro operator Shawn Yim has prompted a broader discussion of safety on Seattle's overall transit system. Ideas for potential fixes are coming from elected officials, union leaders, and bus drivers themselves.
OPA, Seattle Police Violated Medical Privacy of Protester, Unearthed Investigation Reveals
Important questions remain despite a newly unearthed report, including how police first obtained sensitive medical information, why the City’s inspector general continued to be directly involved, despite recusal due to conflict of interest, and why the Mayor’s Office opted to hire and accept the findings of another external consultant, following the original investigation’s sustained allegations.
Op-Ed: Seattle Council Must Reject Harrell’s Police Guild Contract, Demand Accountability
Seattle's proposed police union contract once again fails to deliver even the meager reforms and accountability promised eight years ago, opines Howard Gale. With Seattle City Council set to vote on the contract this month, here's the case for rejecting it.
Urbanist Podcast: A Light Rail Opening and Police Accountability Door Closing
Ryan Packer, Amy Sundberg, and Doug Trumm discuss the Federal Way Link light rail opening in early December, Katie Wilson's transition team and early hires, and the Seattle City Council's vote to approve a controversial labor contract with the Seattle Police Officers Guild.
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.
Solidarity Budget Coalition Asks for Deeper SPD Cuts, No New Cops
Budget Chair Teresa Mosqueda unveiled the Seattle City Council's rebalancing package for the 2021 budget this week and laid out $83 million in changes...
Redmond Public Safety Levy Would Expand Fire and Police Force, but also Mental Health...
With election season already around the corner, cities that want their residents to vote on November ballot measures are moving to finish necessary planning...