Police and Public Safety

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...
Shaun Scott at Gas Works Park. (Photo credit: Alex Garland)

Protest, Policing, and the Prospect for Change: Shaun Scott Breaks It Down with The...

Our monthly meetup guest this month was former Seattle City Council candidate Shaun Scott. On Tuesday, he touched on a wide range of topics...

Judge Demands Seattle Police Reform Crowd Control Before Lifting Federal Oversight

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge James Robart convened a consent decree hearing and found that the City, after 12 years, is close to compliance once the Seattle Police Department submits revised crowd control policy. He does have lingering concerns about bias-free policing and accountability, particularly given the most recent police guild contract.

Mayor Harrell Closes Third and Pine Bus Stop, Hoping to Get Handle on Street...

Starting April 2nd, Mayor Bruce Harrell is temporarily closing one of the busier bus stops in Seattle due to crime concerns. His administration hopes...

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.
Two CCTV cameras mounted on a pole.

Harrell’s Expanded Surveillance Program Clears Hurdle in Seattle Council

Despite public outcry and limited outreach, Seattle City Council’s public safety committee greenlit Mayor Harrell's pilot program installing 24/7 surveillance cameras in three neighborhoods and purchasing real-time crime center software and staff. The legislation moves to a full council vote on October 8.

Seattle Police Crack Down on Black Lives Matter Protests and Continue to Resist Reform

Cities across America are on edge right now. Many have seen clashes between police and protesters, resulting in injuries, arrests, and destruction. It was...
An aerial photo of the South Park Bridge under construction with the Duwamish Valley in the background.

Georgetown-to-South Park Trail Will Be a Reality Thanks to Council Budget

Budget Chair Teresa Mosqueda released her rebalancing package for the 2021 budget this week with $83 million in changes to Mayor Jenny Durkan's budget...