Public Safety | Change Washington

Seattle’s police force is gutted and demoralized – here’s how to restore it

Last week we announced a multi-series investigation into the King County criminal justice system. To kick it off, we’re looking at one of the cornerstones of public safety: a competent, adequately-staffed police force with high morale and a good relationship with the community it’s expected to protect. Currently, the Seattle Police Department is severely lacking...

New series kicking off on how to fix King County’s criminal justice system

It should be self-evident to anyone who lives in King County that the criminal justice system is profoundly broken and needs to be fixed. In the coming weeks we’ll be highlighting the major reasons for why crime is out of control in King County, and what you can do to take action and help fix...

Violent rapist gets barebone jail sentence, fatally assaults Bellevue man hours after release

In the early hours of July 10, a 63-year-old wheelchair-bound homeless man was fatally assaulted, allegedly by a 25-year-old man at the Bellevue Transit Center, for no apparent reason. The suspect fled but was later arrested by police thanks to information provided by a witness. The homeless man eventually succumbed to his injuries this week....

City wants to provide RV park services for homeless – on your dime

Over the past few weeks we’ve taken aim at arguments made by sources quoted in a Seattle Times article claiming that removing drug camps is contributing to homeless deaths and drug abuse combined with permissive public policy are a significant cause of those deaths. With King County already on track to hit a record number...

What’s really behind the record number of homeless deaths?

Last week we took aim at claims made by sources in a Seattle Times story that the removal of drug camps was driving homelessness deaths. We’re now going to look at one of the actual problems. Drug overdoses. The homelessness problem in Seattle is primarily a substance addiction problem. Of the 195 homeless that died...

Don’t let King County Prosecutor’s Office get off the hook

Earlier this year we said those responsible for King County’s high and increasing crime rate would be held accountable. This week’s presents another opportunity. Seattle Times editorial board member Alex Fryer recently penned a column highlighting the process by which violent offenders are either released or held on bail. If you don’t have high blood...

The winner of Seattle’s public servant Darwin Award goes to…

If Seattle had a Darwin Award-type honor bestowed to public servants, the winner no doubt would be Councilmember Kshama Sawant. However, Councilmembers Tammy Morales and Teresa Mosqueda are giving her a run for her money when it comes public safety. Recently Seattle Times columnists Danny Westneat accurately described what’s going on in the city: This...

Mayor Bruce Harrell’s homelessness plan needs work

Earlier this year we wrote about how King County’s previous efforts to eliminate homelessness failed because those involved incorrectly diagnosed the root problem, warning that any future attempts to address the crisis needed to attack the real causes – substance abuse and mental illness. Unfortunately, Mayor Bruce Harrell appears to be making many of...

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...

Initiative 1922 = free needles for addicts

As you all well know, Washington state is currently dealing with a homelessness crisis along with increased crime. The last thing the state should do is decriminalize drug possession (and use), which would ensure that more people become homeless and commit more petty crime, while drug addicts will come here from other parts of the...

Police reform advocates: We need more officers in Seattle!

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,...

Ann Davison needs your help!

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...

Are Seattle residents not worried about crime?

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,...

Stating the obvious: Homeless camps cause crime

“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...