Police and Public Safety

Chauvin Convicted, but the Struggle for Justice and Black Lives Continues

Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin's conviction for murdering George Floyd led many to breath a sigh of relief. It was the first time a...

Constantine Responds To Youth Jail Critics In State Of The County Speech

During his State of the County speech yesterday, King County Executive Dow Constantine unveiled plans to open two reception centers for youth accused of...
A line of people approach Federal Way Downtown Station, with a train waiting at the elevated platform.

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.

Sunday Video: All About Car Crashes

CityNerd dives into the convoluted and admittedly depressing topic of car crashes. In the video, CityNerd looks into the disturbing pedestrian fatality trends, implications...

Restorative Justice is a Vital Component of Livable Urbanism

Last week I wrote about Pooja Vaddadi’s race to oust incumbent Judge Adam Eisenberg from the Seattle Municipal Court. Vaddadi contrasts her competence and...
Mayor Bruce Harrell stands at a lectern flanked by Police Chief Shon Barnes and Councilmember Bob Kettle, who chairs the Public Safety Committee. A projection screen displays surveillance footage.

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.
Three officers standing around a squad car

Op-Ed: New Drug Bill Relies on Trusting a Contemptuous Seattle Police Force

The war on drugs is back, and Seattle is about to entrust SPD to carry it out with minimal guardrails. This Tuesday, Seattle City Council...
Wilson stands on a rooftop in Capitol Hill wearing a Mona Lisa smile. She's a White middle-aged woman with dark hair.

Katie Wilson Charts New Course on Public Safety and Homelessness

Seattle Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson believes she'll be judged primarily by how she can improve outcomes on homelessness and public safety. In an interview with The Urbanist, Wilson laid out what she aims to do to set a new course, striving for a more holistic and effective response.