Seattle voters have made it adamantly clear what they want when it comes to public safety, as polling has repeatedly demonstrated. They want crime reduced so they feel safe, and more police officers on the force, not fewer. Yet, the majority of the City Council isn’t listening. Recently the council voted 6-3 to approve a new...
The people of Seattle have spoken loudly regarding its priorities for the city, but apparently the majority of the City Council isn’t listening. According to recent polling by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, public safety is the top priority, second only to homelessness. In his budget released in September, Mayor Bruce Harrell listened to...
On the latest episode of [un]Divided, independent journalist Brandi Kruse interviews King County Prosecutor candidate Jim Ferrell to discuss crime and public safety in the region. Read Change Washington’s Q&A interview with Ferrell here.
Now that Halloween is over and trick-or-treaters aren’t knocking on your door, here’s something scarier. Criminals could come breaking down your door instead, and get a slap on the wrist for robbing you. The King County Prosecutor’s Office recently started up a “diversion” program for juveniles that keep them out of the courtroom and a jail sentence...
Although many local, regional, and state elected offices are up for election, you could argue that the most important political race in our state is for King County Prosecutor. It will in large part determine the future of Seattle and other cities in the county regarding public safety, crime, and business climate. While cities handle...
Who’s got experience, endorsements and a track record?
Earlier this month we emailed both King County Prosecutor Candidates, Jim Ferrell and Leesa Manion, inviting them to participate in a questionnaire about public safety and crime in the region. Below are the questions and responses from Jim Ferrell. Leesa Manion did not respond after several emails were sent. Question 1: Describe your background and...
Although King County’s Restorative Pathways Community (RCP) program has a lot of problems that need to be fixed if it’s going to reduce crime – which isn’t even the program’s described goal or purpose – county officials have an even crazier idea in mind. Never jailing youth for committing crime and emptying the jails, starting...
In the past month we’re repeatedly written about King County’s Restorative Community Pathways program, its flawed premise, and total lack of accountability for those in it and running it. As with the current debacle with a planned homeless megaplex in Chinatown, a lack of accountability from those in charge or receiving public tax dollars is...
Recently the residents of Seattle’s Chinatown-International District held several protest rallies in opposition to a homeless megaplex proposed by King County Executive Dow Constantine that would house hundreds of people. Unfortunately, Constantine seems determined to ram the project through regardless of public feedback. While protesters have put appropriate pressure on the Seattle City Council, it’s...
One of the cornerstones of public safety in the Seattle metro area is the King County Prosecutor’s Office. While city attorneys such as Ann Davison pursue misdemeanor crime, the county prosecutor handles felony cases such as violent assault, murder, rape, and serious drug offenses. At least that’s what they’re supposed to do. We’ve reported previously...
A lack of accountability for public officials is one of the many problems contributing to the homelessness crisis in the region. For that to change, residents and voters must hold officials’ feet to the fire and make their own voice heard. That is what the people of Seattle’s Chinatown did last week when they protested...
Earlier this week we introduced you to the King County’s Restorative Community Pathways (RCP) program and how it evades the judiciary section of the criminal justice system. Now, we look at how it’s actually run – and our recommendations on how to change it. The current program includes: Criminal youth dictating how the program is...
An effective criminal justice system balances the goal of keeping crime down with protecting victims and reducing the likelihood a criminal once released will violate the law again. A lot of factors come into play, but for the system to be effective it must acknowledge reality and human nature. It also must transparent and accountable...