Increase in King County’s homeless population in the last 10 years.
Political leaders cannot say how much money has been spent on the homeless issue in King County.
WA state has the 3rd largest homeless population in the country. And THE largest chronically homeless population.
In recent years, well-intentioned policies have often produced disappointing results in many corners of Washington. We advocate for programs that focus on truly helping those among us most in need and focus on accountabilty for actual results.
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Seattle needs more police, and police reform. These two concepts are not at odds. Some want you to believe that fully staffing the police department and enacting police reform can’t be accomplished together. We don’t buy that. Thankfully, police reform advocates themselves aren’t buying it, either. In a recent Seattle Times guest column, Harriett Walden,...
Recently we wrote about how Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison wants to reduce petty crime in the city, but she can’t do it without your help. In response, many of you reached out to her office to express your support for her ongoing efforts. Well, now your help is needed once more. Davison wants to...
Recently we reported on a new survey by the Seattle Metro Chamber of Commerce of registered voters showing profound dissatisfaction with the state of the city, including when it comes to public safety. However, Seattle University’s latest annual Public Safety Survey suggests that fear of crime is fairly low. As reported by the Seattle Times,...
“Homeless camps cause crime.” To you, it’s likely this is merely stating the obvious, but to others it’s a revelation as profound as discovering electricity. Unfortunately, much of the solution to Seattle’s problems is going to involve us stating the obvious again and again. In this case, it’s with homelessness. Acting on his State of...
It’s easy at times to feel we’re alone in how we feel about the poor state of Seattle. But a new survey by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce reveals the complete opposite. We’re not alone. In fact, we’re the vast majority. The survey of 700 registered voters in Seattle show what Chamber CEO Rachel...
In the film V for Vendetta, the protagonist reflects on the dystopian condition of England. “How did this happen? Who’s to blame? Well certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable.” There are those who are more responsible than others for the criminal ecosystem that currently exists in the...
Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison’s election last November showed that Seattle residents are ready for real change for the city. However, the ongoing rampant crime would not be possible if it weren’t for the gross enabling by former mayors, the City Council, and former city attorney Pete Holmes. Under his tenure, an astounding 50 percent...
Chances are you’ve experienced a bit of sticker-shock filling up your vehicle at the gas pump. While prices have risen in recent years, they’ve increased dramatically in the past few weeks due to ongoing global events. Unfortunately, even if things calm down overseas the prices here in Washington are only going to get worse thanks...
The 2022 legislative session ended on March 10 with a mixed bag that included some menial public safety reforms, unsustainable state spending, and homelessness policies that at best scratch the surface of the problem. Public Safety We began the session imploring lawmakers to fix a “police reform” law that effectively defanged police responses to actual...
In his recent State of the City address Mayor Bruce Harrell promised to clear public spaces of homeless encampments. We implored him to use this historic opportunity to make Seattle safe again, and this week his actions indicate he will make good on that pledge but we hope he will continue using good judgment with...
Anyone who thinks downtown Seattle doesn’t have a crime problem hasn’t talked to small business owners Olga Sagan. The owner of Piroshky Piroshky bakery, her business is one of many that have either fled downtown Seattle or, in her case, temporarily closed due to the lack of basic public safety. Sagan’s plight is well described...
For years the city of Seattle and other regional entities have tried – and failed – to reduce homelessness in their communities. We’ve argued that the reason for this is that they ignored or downplayed the primary causes – substance abuse and mental health issues – under the belief that housing availability or affordability is...
In January a 30-year-old Marysville man was charged with first degree murder for killing his 65-year-old roommate and attempting to set the residence on fire. A proposed bill moving through the state legislature would allow him, if convicted, to be released early – even if his sentence is for life. Under current state law, anyone...
In 2020, 2,369 restaurants and bars in Washington state closed their doors permanently. That’s 2,369 places where people earned a living, where locals met up with friends and family, and where a business owner poured the sweat of their life in the hopes of making it in a tough industry. However, many of those small...