New Chief Barnes Pledges Seattle Police Department Will ‘Return to Normal’
New Seattle Police Department Chief Shon Barnes outlined his strategy in a presentation to the Seattle City Council, pledging the department would put scandals behind it and forge ahead with new resolve.
Hesitant Councilmembers Thwart ‘No New Cops’ Solidarity Budget
The Seattle City Council voted against a police officer hiring freeze yesterday, despite a strong "No New Cops" campaign from the Solidarity Budget coalition,...
Harrell Cuts Social Safety Net to Fund 16% Boost to SPD
Mayor Bruce Harrell’s 2025 budget would cut elsewhere to fund a 16% increase to the Seattle Police Department. The cuts to affordable housing and social services could backfire, undermining public safety and homelessness response.
What a New Seattle Police Guild Contract Could Mean for Reform
With the dawning of the new year, will we finally be getting a new labor contract between the City of Seattle and the Seattle...
Day 6 of Protests: Nikkita Oliver Rallies Thousands, Mayor Durkan Backpedals
The sixth day of Black Lives Matter protests felt like a turning point and perhaps even a moment of catharsis--while activists acknowledged the work...
Harrell’s 2024 Budget Leaves Big Questions on Safety and Looming Shortfall
Durable solutions to police accountability, public safety, drug treatment, and homelessness all remain elusive and vaguely defined.
On Tuesday, Mayor Bruce Harrell released his 2024...
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...
Chamber Poll Finds Strong Support for Housing, Zoning Reform among Seattle Voters
The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce released its twice annual "Index" poll of Seattle voters today and found even stronger support for new housing...