Livability | Change Washington

Victory! County nixes plans for Chinatown homeless megaplex (for now)

When tasked with a long, difficult undertaking it’s important to celebrate the victories when they happen. King County’s decision to nix a planned homeless megaplex in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District (CID) represents an unexpected and important success for sound homelessness policy, public safety, and common-sense governance. As we’ve written on repeatedly, this entire project was thoroughly...

King County judge refuses to press charges against his attacker

A judge’s duty is to uphold and execute the law. When they don’t, they need to be held accountable and had it made clear they’re not doing their jobs. That’s the case with King County Superior Court Judge Michael Scott, who was slapped by a man in Seattle last month near the downtown county...

New voter survey shows they agree with you – Seattle must do better on all fronts

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...

Fixing public safety is progressive

Is it sour grapes or just a complete lack of restraint? City councilmembers are considering a measure that would make the City Attorney report to them. This “brazen political play,” as described by The Seattle Times, comes after the preferred candidate of the far left councilmembers lost to a candidate pledging greater focus on public...

Chief Carmen Best: A new year offers Seattle’s elected officials an opportunity to solve the city’s greatest challenges

2021 tested Seattle in a way that likely leaves many residents and business owners more than ready for a new year. There’s the ongoing pandemic creating uncertainty and anxiety. Increasing homelessness is dividing communities who want to see people get the help they need and also want to enjoy beloved neighborhood parks. One of the...

A Change Election

This week’s local elections sent a message that it’s time for a dramatic shift in Seattle politics. With the election of candidates like Bruce Harrell for mayor, Sara Nelson for Seattle City Council and the likely election of Ann Davison to serve as City Attorney, voters made clear that their patience has run out. They...

Chief Carmen Best: Seattle’s leaders need a plan for the homeless

Former Seattle Police Chief and Change Washington adviser Carmen Best says that despite the city of Seattle trying to address homelessness, “if you just walk around, you can see that it hasn’t necessarily worked.” Best’s message underscores the need for Seattle’s leaders to develop a real plan to address homelessness that matches the scale of...

Chief Carmen Best: Police play a critical role in deterring gun violence

Change Washington Adviser and former Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best believes that the recent spike in gun violence in Seattle requires both additional resources for police to respond, but also deter crimes. “We do need to have more visibility with officers in the field so that there is a deterrent for people to gather in...

Video: Chief Carmen Best on Seattle’s need for change

Former Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best told Change Washington that Seattle is on the edge of a precipice and that city leaders will determine whether we “turn and keep it the top-tier world class city that it is or if we’re going to just let mayhem and destruction take us in a different direction.” Chief...

“Wild, wild West”: We can’t keep going this direction

The latest Danny Westneat column is bleak. Business owners, residents, and visitors alike are reeling from the “wild, wild West” that Pioneer Square has become. There is no question what has gone wrong here. In a knee-jerk move, the Seattle City Council cut the police department’s budget leading to the loss of the first African-American...

Change the status quo

The first day of school arrived last week and still the school district had not cleared the encampment of homeless individuals by Broadview-Thompson K-8 School. Parents are upset and why shouldn’t they be? At the same time, the Seattle Times Editorial Board called on the city to ensure that city parks and amenities are cleared...

‘We’re better than this’: Gun violence trends higher

KUOW sums it up: “Whatever statistic you look at, one thing is clear: gun violence continues to trend ever higher in Seattle.” So let’s check the statistics KUOW reported, as provided by Seattle’s interim police chief, Adrian Diaz: There have been 150 more shootings in 2021 than in 2019. More than 380 shots fired in...

“I’m tired of being that mom”: Mothers respond to shootings

“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...

Are we “damn lucky” crime isn’t worse?

The global pandemic was a gut punch to our rapidly growing regional economy, with the greatest costs of the slowdown landing on the backs of low-income workers and communities of color. This coincided with a rapid spike in violent crime, vandalism, and people in crisis. We are recovering, but in order to get the economy...