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 Public Schools starts back in just one week. As this latest Covid-19 surge rocks our state and region, there is a great deal of uncertainty for all, but especially for students and parents. With that in mind, a column from Danny Westneat of the Seattle Times this past weekend struck a chord as students...
If you read the Seattle Times Editorial Board’s takedown of the City Council’s latest debacle you might have caught this one key statement: “More adept administrative oversight might have kept such a project on the rails, even despite the questionable insistence on handing out the no-bid deal. But this council was performing a hurried gesture...
Where is the plan? How many times will we have to ask before we get an answer? We have been calling for Seattle city leaders leaders to show us a plan for how they’re going to restore public safety. Time has passed and still no leadership. Other voices have taken up the call as well:...
U.S District Judge James Robart made clear this week that the federal consent decree allowing the federal government to oversee the Seattle Police Department will continue until Seattle’s leaders can get their act together. The Seattle Times reported that Judge Robart cited many possible reasons for the ongoing lack of compliance that he says has...
The conversation around the recent spike in gun violence often ignores the victims. As non-profit leader Sean Goode wrote in Crosscut, “…gun violence in Seattle and south King County is not new. It has long and overwhelmingly victimized people of color, and long and overwhelmingly deserved significant resources to curb.” He explains the importance of...
Enough is enough. That’s the message from courthouse employees frustrated by the lack of safety provided by the city at their workplace, the downtown King County Courthouse. The area around the courthouse and adjoining park are notoriously overrun by open drug abuse and dealing as well as unregulated encampments. On Friday, workers rallied at the...
We are pleased to announce that Chief Carmen Best is joining ChangeWA as an adviser to ChangeWA to promote solutions that address public safety and livability in Seattle. Chief Best writes in the Seattle Times today that city leaders and candidates for office must share their long overdue plans to address public safety. It’s hard...
The race for Seattle City Attorney is turning into one of the more interesting races to watch after yesterday’s primary. The importance of this position cannot be overstated. The city attorney is responsible for ensuring that criminals are prosecuted. As KOMO News put it, “concerns about crime, safety and repeat offenders are a driving force...
“These people need to get down to business and clean up the mess in this city.” That’s what Joe Howard, a financial trader living in Seattle, has to say to local political candidates. “I understand you want to open up society, you want a fair and equitable society, but just being airheaded about things behind...
“I’m tired of seeing other moms who are so sad and so angry. I’m tired of being that mom.” Alicia Dass lost her son Conner to gun violence in Seattle a little over a year ago, but the loss still burdens her. Now, she wants to make sure no other mothers are forced to live...
Today’s Seattle Times column “How the City Council left Seattle in a no man’s land on crime” from Danny Westneat is worth sharing today. Especially in the context of this terribly violent weekend where 4 people were killed by gun violence in Seattle. Westneat’s critique of the Seattle City Council’s approach to police and public...
Shootings across Seattle killed 4 people and injured 5 this past weekend according to multiple news outlets. The tragic shootings occurred in Lake City, Belltown, Pioneer Square, Capitol Hill and the International District. From the Seattle Times: “Interim Seattle police Chief Adrian Diaz said the rise violence comes at a time when the Seattle Police...
Many King County voters have already received ballots for the August 3, 2021 primary. There are critical issues at play in this election when it comes to public safety, homelessness, livability and economic recovery. We are especially watching Seattle’s mayoral race, Seattle City Council and the Seattle City Attorney’s office since the city faces a...
“I don’t think neighbors and community members should clean the property – it’s out of control.” That’s what one neighbor of a homeless encampment had to say about the deterioration of safety near Broadview Thomson K-8 School. Can you blame them after an encampment of 56 people moved into property behind the school? Meanwhile, a...