Police and Public Safety

The view from the Mount Baker pedestrian bridge with the Franklin football field at the corner of MLK Way and Rainier Avenue.

Harrell Quietly Pushing Police in Schools, with Possible Levy Funding Infusion

Mayor Bruce Harrell’s $1.3 billion education levy is set to go to the ballot in November, but it could be weighed down by a controversial proposal to put police officers back in Seattle schools. Meanwhile, Harrell’s draft school safety plan has stalled out, which is drawing criticism from school board leaders that the City’s approach is ill-defined.

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...

Seattle, King County Brace for Impact of Coming Federal Funding Earthquake

At the city and the county level, local leaders are preparing for the impacts of the new federal reconciliation bill, described as "devastating." Those impacts will be felt everywhere from hospitals to food banks.
In a night time image, dark police officer silhouettes emerge from an armored truck amidst a backdrop of a cloud of tear gas.

Chaos and Banned Weapons: SPD’s Use of ‘Mutual Aid’ Police Departments in 2020

Newly unearthed records show SPD exploited a policy loophole, deploying dangerous and toxic weapons during the 2020 protests via partner agencies with little to...

Sunday Video: How American Fire Departments Are Getting People Killed

Fire departments rightly get high praise for fighting fires, rescuing people, and saving lives. But North American fire departments have been resistant to change...

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...
The memorials along the East Precinct police station--now christened the Capitol Hill Community Center--keep growing. (Photo by Doug Trumm)

Op-Ed: Walking Away from the Empty Promise of Seattle’s Consent Decree

Seattle is still struggling for justice and constitutional policing 12 years into federal monitoring via the consent decree. More than 12 years ago, 34 Seattle...

The Urbanist Meetup Tonight with Kirsten Harris-Talley, State House Candidate and Former Councilmember

Please join us tonight (September 8th) from 6:15 to 7:30pm for our monthly online meetup featuring Kirsten Harris-Talley, who is running for to represent...