The City Council just sent its official announcement about passing the so-called “aggressive solicitation” law proposed by Councilmember Tim Burgess, who promoted it during a speech to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce at West Seattle’s Southwest Precinct last month (WSB coverage here). The vote was 5-4; voting “no” were Councilmembers Bruce Harrell, Nick Licata, Mike O’Brien and Tom Rasmussen. But five votes aren’t enough to override the veto promised by Mayor Mike McGinn (as reported by our citywide-news partners at the Seattle TImes). Read on for the council’s announcement:
The City Council voted 5-4 this afternoon to approve the aggressive solicitation ordinance (C.B. 116807). The new law makes solicitation accompanied by intimidating conduct a civil infraction with a penalty of $50 or community service.
“This legislation is about our community resetting norms of behavior on our streets,” Public Safety and Education Chair Tim Burgess said. “It’s about our city saying together we will no longer tolerate this aggressive and intimidating behavior. It protects free speech rights and makes our neighborhood business districts safer for everyone, including our homeless neighbors.”
The ordinance reflects progressive policing theory that suggests consistent, less severe sanctions can more effectively change behavior than severe punishment. The City Council will be holding more discussions around innovative criminal justice and law enforcement reforms later this week with public policy Professor Mark Kleiman of UCLA.
An education campaign will be conducted by the police to inform people on the street about the new law before it takes effect. Similar education efforts served as an effective deterrent when Tacoma passed a broader ordinance in 2007.
At the end of February, Burgess announced a five-point plan to address street disorder. In addition to the aggressive solicitation ordinance, the other elements of the plan include: more police foot patrols, continued hiring of officers to increase police presence in our neighborhoods, enhanced efforts to connect those in need with appropriate social services and giving higher priority to housing and support services for the chronically homeless.
Councilmembers Bagshaw, Burgess, Clark, Conlin, and Godden voted in favor of the ordinance. Councilmembers Harrell, Licata, O’Brien, and Rasmussen were opposed.
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