West Seattle Hipster July 31, 2020 (10:53 am)

Gun sales will skyrocket after this passes. I never thought I would become a gun owner, but our shortsighted leaders have failed the majority of their constituents.Hopefully there are no crimes committed in the future.

Scott July 31, 2020 (11:34 am)

Gun sales have already go up. Please make sure to get training. Guns are not weapons they are tools that need to be respected.
- 1. Treat every gun as if it were loaded.
- 2. Always point your gun in a safe direction.
- 3. Never point your gun at anything you don’t intend to shoot.
- 4. Keep your finger off the trigger until your ready to shoot.
- 5. Be sure of your target and what’s beyond.
- tsurly July 31, 2020 (1:28 pm)
  - Statistically, nearly 3/4 of home invasions are committed by people you know well like family, friends, coworkers, classmates, etc.
  Statistically, nearly 3/4 of all assaults, rapes and murders are committed by the same people you know well.
  
  These people probably know that you have guns.
  
  About 85% of suicide attempts with a firearm are fatal: that’s a much higher case fatality rate than for nearly every other method. Many of the most widely used suicide attempt methods have case fatality rates below 5%.
  
  – Mr. Surly, gun owner
Ron Swanson July 31, 2020 (12:03 pm)

Recent poll commissioned by a group of local businesses show 53% of likely Seattle voters support the 50% defunding. Leaders are responding to what the majority of their constituents want to see.
- Tempered Response July 31, 2020 (3:06 pm)
  
  That same study said that 61% of respondents didn’t want the city council making the decision on where/how to implement the cuts. The majority supported Chief Best making those choices. Additionally, it was only a survey of 500 respondents.Given the conflicting information and narrow lead, I’m not sure it’s fair to say they are responding to the desires of their constituents. This is a complicated topic and we should not be rushing to decisions without a plan… as city council is so apt to do usually. https://komonews.com/news/local/new-poll-says-more-than-50-percent-of-people-support-defunding-seattle-police-department
- Tempered Response July 31, 2020 (3:19 pm)
  
  Appreciate the Parks and Rec reference, but I don’t think you’re giving a fair categorization of that survey. Though a narrow majority of those polled did support the defunding, it was only a sampling of 500 voters. Also, 61% wanted the police chief to make those decisions which seems like a conflict. Given small sample, conflicting responses, and narrow margin, it doesn’t seem fair to say the are doing what the majority of the constituents want. This is a complicated topic that requires a full plan prior to implementation. City council seems to be racing a head without a plan to grab a headline, but not actually solving the problem… like they usually do.https://komonews.com/news/local/new-poll-says-more-than-50-percent-of-people-support-defunding-seattle-police-department
WS Guy July 31, 2020 (12:19 pm)

On the plus side, we can find out how much of a crime deterrent a group of private, armed citizens can create if they make it a priority. I kind of like the idea that the city is moving us back to the “frontier” policy of self-protection and armed self-defense.

But I suggest that the City fund gun ownership education campaigns, including how to use the right to open carry, when and how to draw on a suspected criminal, etc. We have already seen what happens when “armed security” goes wrong as it did in CHAZ.
Jort July 31, 2020 (2:30 pm)

Yes! You should totally get a gun because, as we all know, the punishment for breaking into a home should ALWAYS BE DEATH. I am glad you have chosen to become a self-appointed executioner, good luck with that, have fun with that responsibility. At least no one will steal your stupid, stupid stuff.
- WS Guy July 31, 2020 (4:54 pm)
  
  That’s a good point. My new policy for people breaking into my home will be to stand aside with my hands raised. Hopefully they are there for my stupid stuff and not my daughter.
  - Jort August 1, 2020 (12:40 am)
    
    So true, WS Guy. Once we start asking police to stop indiscriminately killing black and brown people, criminals will immediately start raping our daughters. Such an honest argument, so brave.
- The King July 31, 2020 (4:55 pm)
  
  Violence is inevitable. Asking a potential thief, rapist or murderer to pretty please leave just isn’t going to work.
- wsdawg August 1, 2020 (10:17 am)
  
  I finally agree with JORT on something. Yes. If you break into someone’s home, you DESERVE to be shot to death. It’s called the Castle Doctrine and it’s based on the rule that everyone deserves to have a – get ready for it – SAFE SPACE on this planet where that person can feel safe and secure. And the best part is that it applies to renters and homeowners alike, no matter what neighborhood you live in. Isn’t it nice to have a law that is clear, unambiguous and easy to understand and comply with? It’s this simple: Don’t Burglarize people’s homes and you won’t get shot to death for it. I love simple laws that everyone can understand.
It's a big nothing July 31, 2020 (5:35 pm)

Did you read what’s being adjusted here? These are the changes being made to THIS YEAR’S BUDGET based on the PROPOSAL FROM THE POLICE CHIEF AND MAYOR. All it’s doing is MOVING NON-OFFICERS TO SEPARATE DEPARTMENTS.Jeez. I’m the 59th comment and the first to scroll through the not-hard-to-read document. The whole city’s going gun-nut crazy over this and it’s a big nothing.

TM7302 July 31, 2020 (11:16 am)

Sign the petition… https://stopdefunding.com/

Mr J July 31, 2020 (5:29 pm)

This is spam.
PATRICK July 31, 2020 (9:31 pm)

Yes, and show up tomorrow at city hall and join the protest for the STOPTHEDEFUNDING group. If any of you care at all about the future of this city, you need to make an in person statement.
- Francesca July 31, 2020 (10:51 pm)
  
  Patrick, I didn’t know about the STOPTHEDEFUNDING group. What are the details, I would like to attend. We need to have a referendum on this issue if Council is serious about defunding.
- KELLY A MURPHY August 1, 2020 (11:36 am)
  
  I signed the petition but what I don’t know is what good a petition does? This particular city council is really a rogue government. I hope you guys understand that Sawant and gang are under NO OBLIGATION to divert any money to any of the objectives that they are listing. They can do whatever they want with the left over money. Expect new “projects” to pop up with certain “contractors” all over the city. You might be wondering how I know that.Secondly, understand you will need living, breathing people to step into these roles. Mental health professionals, counselors, case workers, etc. I am a licensed foster provider in King County and I can personally attest, they don’t even have enough to take care of the kids in the system let alone take on whatever the counsel wants to set up. Activists alone can’t do these roles single-handedly. Lastly, I don’t need charts and references to figure out that WAYYYYY more lives are spared or at least brought to justice than lost at the hands of police. We’re talking about bad cops here. This is a knee-jerk reaction. If you reduce the number of people you work with, it would stand to reason, you’re going to be a lot more conscience about which calls you jump in on. Domestic abuse cases are particularly dangerous, if all you got is a few guys across town, are you gonna step in for the beat up wife or just hang outside?
pilsner August 1, 2020 (8:27 am)

This is awesome! Heck, I’d even volunteer for the SPD if I could.

Arthur Dexter Bradley July 31, 2020 (11:32 am)

Support BLM, reduce police violence, help our communities, and streamline the police:

SIGN UP!

KELLY A MURPHY August 1, 2020 (11:40 am)

The police aren’t that violent. You call self defense violence? I wonder what you would do if I threw rocks and crap in your face? Run away? Cry? Police are heros and you demonize all of them. You should be ashamed, you don’t want all black people demonized but you’re OK demonizing a group of professionals.
- heartless August 1, 2020 (7:36 pm)
  
  Someone suggests reducing police violence and that is your reaction?
  
  Police kill at least a thousand people a year. Don’t you think we should try to reduce that number?
  
  And you are wrong–people do not become heroes just by being a cop. Some people are heroes, and some police can be heroes, but no–being a cop is not equal to being a hero, and any cop worth their salt would agree with that.
  
  Some cops are also awful, and the systems we have in place contribute to that. Time to change.

Emy July 31, 2020 (11:36 am)

Absolutely disgusting. We need MORE officers, not less.

Francesca July 31, 2020 (10:53 pm)

Exactly, after what we have been witnessing, I would have to agree that we need more officers, NOT LESS.
Francesca July 31, 2020 (10:54 pm)

Agreed, after all the violence that we have been witnessing, I would support having more officers.

Scott July 31, 2020 (11:36 am)

Herbold, West Seattle doesn’t want this. You work for the people of West Seattle and you need to start acting like it. Stop pushing your agenda’s that have not been backed by the people you serve.

Midi July 31, 2020 (12:42 pm)

Please note that many of us in West Seattle DO support this. It isn’t just about reducing police officers, it’s about shifting funding to provide resources for the citizens and communities who need support – not prosecution. This West Seattle resident is in full support.
- wscommuter July 31, 2020 (4:18 pm)
  
  Midi – you make an impassioned and not unreasonable statement. I respect that. Where we disagree is the “cut by 50%” part. Because I have yet to see how someone figured out that there is precisely 50% of the SPD budget that could be gotten rid of without making the city less safe. Instead, “50%” is nothing more than a jingoistic, dumbed-down appeal to the masses. I’m all for a thoughtful and considered process to discuss diverting some amount of SPD funding to alternative services (mental health, drug treatment, low-income resources, housing, etc.) – I’m all in. But our elected leaders will be failing us all if they vote for that cut without any concept of what police services we’d all lose. And then, of course, if that were to happen, it will be at some point in the future that we’ll begin to realize “oh, I didn’t know we’d lose burglary detectives or sexual assault detectives or fewer patrol officers in high-crime areas or … or … or …”.
  - WSB July 31, 2020 (4:31 pm)
    
    So far – and we’ll include this in a “here’s what happened today” story – the template for the amendments is that the council is saying that’s what they WANT to see cut, while recognizing the final decision is, by law, up to the chief. One proposed cut, gutting the Public Affairs Unit, would affect the work we and other newspeople do – that’s how we get info such as incident reports. If it were closed, SPD told the coujncil, that would all go to the Public Disclosure Unit – which can take weeks or months to answer a request. Not the most impactful cut among what’s proposed, but one that would affect the information we provide. – TR
    - Cid August 1, 2020 (8:48 am)
      
      I wondered about that. We rely on your quick response whenever we hear helicopters or sirens. Cutting communications and police training are two suggestions from the council that just don’t make sense. Why would you want less training and why would you want to cut off a way for the community and police to keep connected? This whole 50% sounds punitive and arbitrary. I hope they’ll give up on insisting whatever cuts they want will be for this 2020 year. Perhaps we the people could vote on them in Nov?
- wsdawg August 1, 2020 (10:33 am)
  
  Legislators write the laws the citizens supposedly want. Prosecutors decide whether to charge people with violations of those laws. Police cite or arrest people who violate those laws. The cops don’t make the laws, nor do they prosecute violations. If you want to change how police behave and what laws they enforce, it starts with the same hypocritical legislators that blame the cops for everything. Eric Garner died at the hands of police officers, because Bill DeBlasio and his stupid fellow legislators made selling individual black-market cigarettes an arrestable crime, because, among other things, it deprived his government of tax revenue. How about our City Council fix our broken laws before punishing the cops for doing the dirty work for legislators and the public. This isn’t about policing; It’s about Power. Recognize the coup d’etat going on right in front of you, West Seattle.
- KELLY A MURPHY August 1, 2020 (11:44 am)
  
  You need to understand that this council is NOT OBLIGATED to defer money to ANYTHING they are proposing. Once these amendments pass, they can do whatever they want with the money, so count on less police, period.
BLM July 31, 2020 (12:43 pm)

Yet a BLM March somehow gets 100x as many people turning out as a “support the police” rally. Maybe you don’t know your neighbors as well as you think you do.
- Bradley July 31, 2020 (3:19 pm)
  
  My neighbors have jobs and responsibilities to care for. They also volunteer at our senior centers, food bank, PTA’s, donate thousands to fund raisers throughout the city volunteer on non-profit boards donate hours and hours to youth sports, clubs and programs, support Impact West Seattle. Don’t give me the White Privileged don’t care.
  - Matt July 31, 2020 (8:02 pm)
    
    White privileged certainly don’t understand in this case. I do all of those things and am also fully supportive of BLM and defunding the police by 50%. I’m also your neighbor.
- Francesca July 31, 2020 (11:03 pm)
  
  BLM rallies are attracting more people to rallies because you have been organizing for quite some time. What you fail to realize are the seething members of society who are starting to get vocal. You’ll see more of that. I can’t even believe that I have been pushed to this point.
k... July 31, 2020 (12:52 pm)

You are of course welcome to your opinion, but you do not speak for the entirety of WS.
Lispector July 31, 2020 (1:17 pm)

You don’t speak for West Seattle. The people do want this, we’ve gone out in force to make that clear, and it is happening.
- StuckHere August 2, 2020 (10:20 pm)
  
  No thanks, I do not want the police defunded. Please don’t speak for me.Bummer I never got polled.
Seattle_Native August 1, 2020 (12:56 am)

Most people do NOT want this.
TreeHouse August 1, 2020 (11:12 am)

Actually, a significant amount of us in West Seattle do want this. We want accountability and we want a change to the broken status quo. This is not a tough concept.

Chris K July 31, 2020 (11:44 am)

I am so filled with pride in how our city came together to persuade the council to act. My wife and two daughters took part in the last two marches to councilmembers’ houses, and it was so neat for all of us to see democracy in action. I’m convinced that the anti-BLM and pro-cop commenters on social media are a very loud, but extremely small part of the population. I know the council will do the right thing. We know where they live now ;)

High Point Resident July 31, 2020 (12:20 pm)

Yes Chris, their voices are loud and can sometimes be discouraging to think that’s what the majority actually thinks. We are driving our city to a better city and all of our efforts need to be voiced!!
- Arbor Heights July 31, 2020 (3:09 pm)
  
  Better city for who? Criminals? In what specific way will it be better? We have zero stats that support your thesis.
  - High Point Resident July 31, 2020 (4:12 pm)
    
    Do you think arresting people and put them in jail will prevent crimes from happening? Most of those “criminals” need help with their issues. Sadly people who work in social services do not get paid enough and get burned out. Which ways do you think help improve the city? I work with young children and sadly people do not see the investment values in preventive measures (providing a variety of service to those in need) and only believe in reactive measures (arresting people and put them in jail).
    - wsdawg August 1, 2020 (10:39 am)
      
      It’s about protecting the public from dangerous people. If they aren’t dangerous, they shouldn’t go to jail. If they are, they should. The social work is needed in both places, but the taxpayers are entitled to public safety.
  - zark00 July 31, 2020 (5:17 pm)
    
    Zero stats except around 50 years of statistical data from really stupid places like the FBI, BOSCAR, Harvard.I especially like the stats on the impact of a 1% increase to police force size: a 0.8% reduction in theft; a 1.1% reduction in car theft; a 0.63% reduction in aggregate property crime; and no convincing reductions in other crimes.That’s it – couple less car thefts. NO impact on violent crime at all, no reduction in burglaries, kidnappings, nothing significant. Just stuff. So if you’re ok with minorities being disproportionately killed so that your stuff is better protected I guess fight against police reform??
    - heartless July 31, 2020 (7:12 pm)
      
      Bam!
  - Bill August 1, 2020 (4:16 am)
    
    IMO their real goal here is to drive up taxes — actually to the point of a state income tax! — Rob as much police budget as they can get their hands on and then when the crimes go sky high and people start screaming for protection they’ll come up with the tax increase proposals — meanwhile you will get a couple more layers of programs on top of programs on top of programs — none of which will solve anything and will perpetuate both the real and perceived problems – this has been going on for the last 60 years! Meanwhile the grandkids of NON-WHITE refugees that came here in the 1970’s and 80’s are our newest Veterinarians, Pharmacists, Dentist, Nurses, Doctors, etc etc – or are running small businesses that provide goods and / or services to the whole community!
- Matt July 31, 2020 (8:03 pm)
  
  Amen!
Ron Swanson July 31, 2020 (12:35 pm)

If you listened to the commenters on here, you’d have thought Herbold/Sawant/the rest of the progressives on the council were going down in a landslide. They’re now working themselves into a lather imagining defunding is some sort of crazy radical proposal when it has majority support in recent polling. LOL
West Seattle Resident July 31, 2020 (12:42 pm)

When this backfires we should march to your house.
Kram July 31, 2020 (12:56 pm)

Yeah! Let’s teach our children that if our politicians don’t vote the way the way we want them to vote we will come to their personal homes! Sad to teach your kids that imo. Democracy in action is not what I see happening here. These proposals are not planned out and reactionary. For every action there is a reaction and many of the line items above do not have well thought-out replacements. The funny thing is I think both sides actually agree on much more than it seems. These changes don’t happen overnight and there needs to be a 2 year road map. This is a silly political stunt that will have unforeseen consequences. I don’t see a city counsel leading, I see it reacting irrationally but hey, whatever.
- Arbor Heights July 31, 2020 (3:12 pm)
  
  Agree 100%. This is not democracy in action it is intimidation and cancel culture. Either way I have my concealed carry permit, my concealed firearm, and home protection. I feel good. Hopefully none of these people that are asking for a reduction in policing will need the police.
  - zark00 August 1, 2020 (1:08 pm)
    
    It’s shame the conservatives invented cancel culture by destroying the Dixie Chicks career over the Bush comments.
    - Dunno August 1, 2020 (9:25 pm)
      
      Now that’s funny. I don’t care about an artist political stance. If that was true, most of Hollywood and most bands and artists would be history! You can have their music (Dixie Chicks), there happen’s to be so much that’s better, and yes, most of the bands that I like have said far more and worse about the right. Guess what your saying that all their fans liked Bush. BTW, Bush is a great band!Thanks for the laugh!
- wsdawg August 1, 2020 (10:40 am)
  
  Hooray for Bullying!! “We know where they Live!!”
Brenda July 31, 2020 (1:24 pm)

Get a grip dude
Bill July 31, 2020 (1:48 pm)

That last line reads like a threat.
Mark July 31, 2020 (2:07 pm)

Nothing like some physical-intimidation humor to lighten the mood!
Kadoo July 31, 2020 (5:21 pm)

Not all people opposed to defunding SPD are against BLM. Some of us think certain council members have lost their common sense.
- Hammer in Hand July 31, 2020 (8:24 pm)
  
  But the thing is…. you can’t lose something you never had to Began with
alkilocal July 31, 2020 (9:54 pm)

I was under the assumption that mayor, council member, and other government appointed addresses were protected? Is this not true? When does this become a level or harassment? Who decides to give out someone’s home address to march up to at night?
- WSB July 31, 2020 (10:15 pm)
  
  No, they are not. (Except the mayor, who has some sort of special protection because of her U.S. Attorney past.) They’re in the same public databases everybody else’s info is. As for harassment, everyone seems to have a different view. I checked in on the Evening March stream tonight to see where they were … and instead of awaiting a visit to his house, the city councilmember for the Ballard area is marching WITH them tonight.
  - Alkilocal July 31, 2020 (11:01 pm)
    
    Thank you for the information WSB.

Lispector July 31, 2020 (11:44 am)

Sign this petition https://decriminalizeseattle.com Defund the police. Reallocate those funds to community led health and safety systems.

West Seattle Hipster July 31, 2020 (11:52 am)

“Decriminalize”? Do you really expect criminals will stop breaking laws?Serious question, has the concept that our city “leaders” are implementing ever worked anywhere? What makes anyone think it will work here?
- Sean July 31, 2020 (12:24 pm)
  
  Most cities in developed nations do not spend a solid 20-30% of their budget on policing. That’s only the case here because we use police as an excuse not to actually improve quality of life. Hope this helps.
  - Arbor Heights July 31, 2020 (3:13 pm)
    
    Sean that is a great marketing statement. What is your plan to stop crime and improve quality of life? Do you not think it a good idea to ramp police down after you reduce the crime instead of before?
    - heartless July 31, 2020 (5:17 pm)
      
      “Do you not think it a good idea to ramp police down after you reduce the crime instead of before?”
      
      Done.
      
      Seattle property crime is the lowest it’s been in decades, violent crime is also exceedingly low (second lowest in a decade).
      
      So now that we’ve done that, you’re on board with defunding and restructuring. Right?
      
      https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/third-world-hellhole-new-data-shows-seattle-had-lowest-property-crime-rate-in-decades/
    - kram July 31, 2020 (6:46 pm)
      
      With those facts are saying our existing system is working then?
  - CH July 31, 2020 (6:56 pm)
    
    Sean… can you provide a source for your claim? I see where the SPD gets about 25% of Seattle’s “general fund”, but only about 6.3% of the total $6.6 billion budget. Compare that to Boston, where the police get about 11.3% of their total $3.65 billion budget. That seems higher.
    https://www.wbur.org/news/2020/06/24/despite-strong-criticism-of-police-spending-boston-city-council-passes-budget
J July 31, 2020 (5:24 pm)

Over 85,000 signatures in four days – sign the petition! https://stopdefunding.com/
- Tsurly August 1, 2020 (7:19 am)
  
  So about 10% of Seattle’s population; go squeaky wheel, go!

TM7302 July 31, 2020 (11:46 am)

Shameful. I stopped counting the SPD FTE (full-time equivalent) personnel cuts when it reached it reached 102 officers/civilians. Just remember these are cuts just for 2020 and would become effective November1. Cutting $125,000 with a reduction 7.5 FTE patrol officers to increase parking… Really?

I am shocked by this council’s recommendations. It is time to rise up against and vote these people out of office. Sign the petition. https://stopdefunding.com/

Jonah July 31, 2020 (12:04 pm)

lispector. Wish granted. You giving us a GUARENTEE that your way will work perfect and there will be NO increase in crime and that your way will give homeless/people in crises/domestic violence victims a guarantee that all their issues will be solved. You wouldn’t be demanding a “new way” unless you were certain that it will work. Right????

justme July 31, 2020 (12:05 pm)

There goes the neighborhood. I see how they snuck in defunding the navigation team. Now watch the garbage pile up.

WSB July 31, 2020 (12:10 pm)

Garbage removal is part of Seattle Public Utilities’ budget.
- JonnyQuest July 31, 2020 (1:15 pm)
  
  Without police “escort”, will SPU remove garbage from homeless encampments? Not saying they won’t – I just don’t know.
  - WSB July 31, 2020 (2:36 pm)
    
    Happens all the time.
heartless July 31, 2020 (2:52 pm)

“There goes the neighborhood.”

Really?

Something tells me your single family home in Admiral is going to be just fine, and your garbage will still be collected every Monday morning.

AMD July 31, 2020 (12:08 pm)

This proposal seems quite reasonable.

Here, here! July 31, 2020 (12:53 pm)

agreed. it’s great to see it in detail.

WS Resident for Social Justice July 31, 2020 (1:03 pm)

The disconnect between the goal of defunding and what they want to achieve is an absolute head scratcher.

;Less police to investigate assaultsLess police to investigate rapes

Less police to investigate murders

No police to investigate auto thefts or simple theft.

Throw in the desire to decriminalize misdemeanors and you have created the utopia for the criminal elements to prey on the people of seattle.

Brenda July 31, 2020 (1:25 pm)

This is a disaster. How on Earth did we get here?

Scott July 31, 2020 (2:27 pm)

Democratic leaders in political offices, notice I didn’t say leadership because they have lacked leadership for quit some time.
heartless July 31, 2020 (2:48 pm)

I suggest you read a book on the history of policing, followed by a book on the history of race in America. It’s terrifying but pretty easily explained. If you don’t have time to read a couple books, just look up the history of police in the US, paying special attention to the origins of police as slave catchers, following up with Vollmer’s work.
- Bill August 1, 2020 (4:36 am)
  
  I’d suggest paying closer attention to the real things going on a lot more recently – rather than all the boogie man stories from the past
- Tsurly August 1, 2020 (7:25 am)
  
  Cliff notes version: The origins of the police in the US started as patrol groups in the 1700s to chase down runaway slaves. 300 years later, lots of similarities.
- wsdawg August 1, 2020 (10:52 am)
  
  Every profession, including yours, did regrettable things in the past. Every human being, including you, has done bad things as did your ancestors. Should you be punished for the sins of your ancestors, today?
  - zark00 August 1, 2020 (1:16 pm)
    
    Every professions was started as a slave catching crew? So what you’re saying is, everyone has done something bad, so there should never be any consequences for bad behavior. Perfect, makes total sense. Let’s do nothing, ever, about any problem.
  - Tsurly August 1, 2020 (2:03 pm)
    
    Except that today are still disproportionately targeting black price, and have been since they were created to hunt down runaway slaves. Sure, every person has done bad things (and I sure engineers have in some way) but I’ve never murdered anyone.

kj July 31, 2020 (1:42 pm)

I suppose the insurance will soon go up for our cars and homes if the police are defunded. Scary times to live in Seattle. Shortsighted idiots on city council

kj July 31, 2020 (1:53 pm)

I suppose car and home insurance will soon go up if police are defunded

zark00 August 1, 2020 (1:18 pm)

Has never happened in any city that cut Police budgets, can’t see why it would happen here. I get the desire to create doomsday scenarios in your head to make a point.

Guy July 31, 2020 (2:06 pm)

SPD is acting like they have already been defunded, Alki is pretty much lawless. Defund their budget, they don’t do anything for us anyway.

Bill August 1, 2020 (4:39 am)

Right — after all they haven’t had anything to do this summer — and you are whining about no police presence on Alki so we need to defund them!

Bob Lang July 31, 2020 (2:18 pm)

Craziest thing I’ve ever heard. What next?

heartless July 31, 2020 (2:42 pm)

We have a president who brags about grabbing women by the pussy and thinks it’s safe enough for kids to go to school but so unsafe we should delay the election and yet this is the craziest thing you’ve ever heard? ok.
- Flipzzzz July 31, 2020 (4:04 pm)
  
  No what’s crazy is everyone out Protesting in the middle of a pandemic . Listen to Fauci please and avoid crowds so we can all get back to work ..
  - heartless July 31, 2020 (5:20 pm)
    
    Better yet, close all restaurants and bars–take out or delivery only. The protests are a drop in the bucket compared to the completely mask-less diners sitting inside for lunch or dinner or drinks every single day.
    
    As for you thinking protests are crazier than all the rest? We’ll just have to disagree.
    - Flipzzzzz July 31, 2020 (5:34 pm)
      
      Yes happy to agree to disagree on this one a crowd is a crowd . Plenty of mask less protestors around screaming and chanting filling the air with covid . We don’t get to pick and choose our gatherings and justify one bc of our political affiliation . I don’t partake in any crowd gatherings because I want society to get back to normal .
- Me July 31, 2020 (4:53 pm)
  
  People are so caught up with what Trump does and doesn’t say. I didn’t vote for him and really don’t like him, but what he does and says has very little impact on my daily life. What happens in seattle including the defunding of SPD does have a big impact on my life.
  - ally cat July 31, 2020 (6:10 pm)
    
    ‘but what he does and says has very little impact on my daily life’
    
    Wow, you are so wrong about this. What he does and says very much has impacts on all American’s lives, and has impacts around the world.
  - heartless July 31, 2020 (7:10 pm)
    
    I think the Trump presidency has had a big impact on the world, on the US, and on daily life in Seattle. But that aside, I was trying to put Bob Lang’s comment into a broader context. He didn’t say it was the craziest thing he’d seen in Seattle, por ejemplo, he was just saying how flat out crazy people protesting was. That seemed weird, so I was asking him to consider the larger picture.

WSRes July 31, 2020 (2:24 pm)

Put me down as a hard no to defunding our SPD.I feel as residents we are being ignored. I can’t wait for our opportunity to vote again.

Jort July 31, 2020 (2:28 pm)

Uh oh! The City Council is talking about SPD again! Better get out the plywood and board up the precinct again to scare everybody into thinking we’re at the threshold of Hell! OOGA BOOGA! Kshama Sawant is going to rob your house and kill your pet dog!!!!

WS Resident for Social Justice July 31, 2020 (2:33 pm)

Juarez: ” The language in this resolution is divisive .. Where is the Community Policing Commision in all of this”

She NAILED it!!!
KUDOS to Juarez!!!!!

WS Resident for Social Justice July 31, 2020 (2:49 pm)

HERBOLD: A number of communities have taken votes to cut their Police Department’s budget

No kidding!! EVERY city is going to cut their police department budget by some degree because the national economy has CRASHED!!!!! Come on, Lisa.

… and then she got called out by Juarez who said NONE of those cities councils signed off to cut their budget of 50% and none of them did that in such a short span of time!!!

Elizabeth July 31, 2020 (3:04 pm)

The City Council is trying to sneak in this discussion on a summer Friday afternoon without including ALL the voices of the community. Develop a strategy, make a plan, then put together a roadmap on how to improve policing and the services the community needs to a public vote! This isn’t intentional or data-driven, despite what is being said. There is no strategy and plan, there has NOT been open and transparent sharing of the proposals and amendments. The Seattle City Council approach seems to be arbitrarily deciding on a 50% number and cut the budget in half which will remove any viable public safety services from Seattle. With that logic, why not just decide that 50% of 911 calls aren’t true medical emergencies, and cut budgets and the numbers of paramedics and EMTs too? Sure let’s cut emergency medical services by 50%, then after the fact create a group that can hand out Band-aids and Tylenol, then announce that those services are even better than the public safety services offered by paramedics and EMTs. That is the same logic which will result in the same chaos and lack of safety and services in the community. I support transforming, restructuring and fundamentally changing the way the police serve the community of Seattle in a thoughtful way, not just arbitrarily cutting the size of the police by 50%. I want police as guardians and protectors in our community, not as warriors or quasi-military enforcers. Black and brown people in our community shouldn’t be hurt or lose their lives by policing that is discriminatory and biased. I want more a more diverse police force with more BIPOC and/or female police officers. The end result of this arbitrary proposal will be fewer BIPOC and female police officers. (BTW, it is ILLEGAL to fire more experienced white officers just because they are white or fire male officers because they are male and you want to keep more female officers, it’s called discrimination.) And isn’t it ironic that the council members talk about focusing on Black Lives, but ignore the input and voice of a Black Police Chief?!

WS Resident for Social Justice July 31, 2020 (6:27 pm)

Well said.
KT July 31, 2020 (8:49 pm)

Well said. Very well said.
Ronaldo July 31, 2020 (9:28 pm)

Agree with KT, very well said
Bradley August 1, 2020 (10:25 am)

Elizabeth, it just shows who really has the councils ear these days.

John July 31, 2020 (3:14 pm)

Pemco sent out a letter to all of their customers explaining that insurance in Seattle is going up by 11% because of the terrible driving here. The city attorney won’t prosecute driving without insurance cases because they are crimes committed by poor people. So the rest of us get to pay. Just 1 example of how this non-policing will go.

heartless July 31, 2020 (4:14 pm)

Sounds like you have an issue with the city attorney.

Current lack of enforcement doesn’t really seem like a solid argument against defunding.

Also Seattle doesn’t seem to have relatively high insurance rates to begin with.

Also didn’t PEMCO just start giving everyone a 15% reduction in auto insurance due to the virus?

So…
yeah.
- John July 31, 2020 (4:48 pm)
  
  Heartless, if the city attorney won’t prosecute a crime, then the police won’t arrest people for it because they know nothing will happen. This means we have many people driving around without insurance getting into accidents. I know this, my business vehicles have been hit by 2 uninsured drivers in the past 2 years. Understand now, or do I need to explain it in more detail for you?
  - heartless July 31, 2020 (7:07 pm)
    
    What you need to explain, John, is how this relates back to the issue of defunding. I fail to see how police currently not enforcing something has any bearing on the current conversation. Are you suggesting that police, if defunded, will continue to not enforce something? I mean, that’s a weird point to make.
  - AMD July 31, 2020 (9:27 pm)
    
    Driving without insurance is a ticket. I know, because the uninsured driver that hit my car got one. It’s not something they get arrested for, nor is it something they should be arrested and prosecuted for. It’s a ticket, dude. Like jaywalking and a dozen other minor civil infractions. Also, side note, Seattle’s insured drivers are also bad at driving. Failure to comprehend merging or properly execute four-way stops is how outsiders identify us locals. It’s not an insurance thing or a rich bad driver/poor bad driver thing. We’re ALL terrible drivers.
  - Ron Swanson July 31, 2020 (10:49 pm)
    
    John, having the DOL demand proof of insurance before handing out plates and tabs would do far more to reduce uninsured driving than any effect the SPD budget has on the issue. It’s pretty standard in other states: gotta have it to get your vehicle registered and if you cancel your policy they notify the DMV and they’ll suspend your license. Never understood why WA doesn’t do this.
    - Tsurly August 1, 2020 (7:32 am)
      
      Or, god forbid, DRIVERS be responsible adults and do what is required to operate a vehicle. There is already so much in the way of subsidizing and welfare for car drivers, the least they could do is have insurance.

Bradley July 31, 2020 (3:20 pm)

I’m proud of West Seattle. My neighbors have jobs and responsibilities to care for. They also volunteer at our senior centers, food bank, PTA’s, donate thousands to fund raisers throughout the city volunteer on non-profit boards donate hours and hours to youth sports, clubs and programs, support Impact West Seattle. Don’t give me the White Privileged don’t care.

Uncarceral July 31, 2020 (4:43 pm)

To everyone who thinks that more police = less crime:

If true, why has no one hired enough police to end all crime?

And why does every other developed country have both less police and less crime?

Lastly, @John- “the rest of us get to pay” for housing, food, and medicine every time we lock someone up for not being able to afford insurance. I’ll take the 11%, plus the immeasurable bonus of living in a world with fewer debtor’s prisons.

Francesca July 31, 2020 (11:42 pm)

Uncarceral, can you provide the stats stating that other developed countries have less police and less crime. Not in Europe.
- zark00 August 1, 2020 (1:23 pm)
  
  Takes two seconds of googling, the information is readily available to anyone who wants to find it. Calling for stats is an old diversion technique. Step up your game, new method is to post your contradictory stats – try that instead next time.https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2019/02/13/marshall-project-more-cops-dont-mean-less-crime-experts-say/2818056002/
- heartless August 1, 2020 (2:10 pm)
  
  Francesca–I don’t know what statistics you were relying on when you made your claim that nowhere in Europe has both fewer police and less crime. Could you share your source?
  
  I spent about 5 minutes just now and came up with the list below. I got bored after awhile, but in the meantime here are some countries (in Europe!) that have both fewer police per capita and less crime. You’re welcome!
  
  US: crime index: 46
  US: police per capita: 238
  —————————–
  Denmark: crime index: 24
  Denmark: police per capita: 192
  
  England: crime index: 43
  England: police per capita: 211
  
  Finland: crime index: 22
  Finland: police per capita: 130
  
  Switzerland: crime index: 21
  Switzerland: police per capita: 210
  
  I could have gone on, but it’s kinda boring doing your homework for you, so next time please just do this simple research on your own (maybe before you write down patently false statements). Thanks!
  
  https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/crime-rate-by-country
  
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_dependencies_by_number_of_police_officers

Jort July 31, 2020 (5:25 pm)

Such a good response, because clearly nobody at the BLM marched has jobs or families or any other kinds of responsibilities, either. So true, wow.

ally cat July 31, 2020 (5:34 pm)

^^^

And no way any of them volunteer in the community, even though these are people who are choosing to give their time and energy to protesting on behalf of fellow human rights, at all hours of the day.

Dangerous scoundrels… shouting ‘black lives matter’ and terrifying children.
- alkilocal July 31, 2020 (9:44 pm)
  
  It would have been nice if that group of protesters that started at bedtime, although claim to have kids, started with a beach clean and then afterwords helped extinguish fires on the beach and take time to explain to folks why it is our job as community members to hold each other accountable to appropriate behavior. Perhaps they can also start picking up litter from others who disregard proper law and rules to help . This will put into action what is spoken from their mouths; when I see that, I will believe that there will be a meaningful outcome. Furthermore, there is no place or plan currently for the funds to go. No setup community outreach plans so any so- called support from de-funding police will not be seen. It will simply be taking away without a proper plan for support. Please look into our Black police chief Best’s comments on this matter.
Tsurly August 1, 2020 (7:38 am)

Jort these are the same “I can’t” whiners we see on other posts who can’t live without their cars, make some changes to better handle the bridge being out, can’t handle any change in their life without lashing out and blaming someone else. Not surprising at all there are assumptions being made that those protesting don’t have any family, work, etc. responsibilities.

Chuck July 31, 2020 (6:22 pm)

The inmates are running the asylum. This 36 year resident (28 in W. Sea) will be giving a lot of thought to letting someone else enjoy the home that I love, selling it while it has any market value left. I live within a few blocks of Morgan Junction. How soon until we get the directive (not voted on, mind you…) that the property now earmarked to enlarge the current park near Bev Place will instead be filled with Porta Potties and tents for the ever-expanding homeless population? I mean, that’s how this city works, after all. Oh, it won’t happen without a fight, but that IS the type of “planning” they want to do, I am certain. / What’s happening to this city under current leadership is criminal. I only pray that the silent majority (that’s a real thing) who are sick and tired of all these dangerous far far far left antics are voted out this November. I want my city back. This council is putting lives at risk with their idiotic democratic socialism agenda. Mine.

simple July 31, 2020 (6:37 pm)

It seems simple. The city council should pursue funding community led health and safety systems (and why haven’t they already done so). Why defund the police first? Unless money is so scarce due to covid-19 economic hit to City of Seattle. If that is true, if money is so scarce right now that something must be defunded to come up with the money, I really question the timing and rush to defund.

Voice it July 31, 2020 (10:27 pm)

This *very important* petition needs signatures and SHARING. If you don’t want to defund Seattle police by 50%, your chance to have a voice is NOW. This petition will be presented at City Council in support of Police services on Monday.
If you care about this important issue of safety in our city,
SIGN & then SHARE the petition.
Help & do your part please. The time is NOW before it’s too late.
This is A VALID Petition!!
Please help.

https://stopdefunding.com/

zark00 August 1, 2020 (1:27 pm)

Shame that the stopdefunding group had to lie right on the home page to get signatures. 800 officers will be fired? That’s a straight up lie to rile people up and freak them out and get them to sign. Shame on you.

WSDudeman July 31, 2020 (11:35 pm)

This is very reactionary and not well thought out. It’s a ‘feel good’ experiment rather than a roadmap to the solutions the council claims to seek. They are succumbing to the loudest screams instead of discussing how change needs to occur with their constituents.And in the end, it could work out fine, but just the same, it might not. Optimism is not a plan. This is a gamble.I’m old enough to remember when we thanked our first responders. Now we demonize their service, throw bricks and glass bottles at them and try and burn down their precincts. Good luck Seattle. Good luck.

Voice it August 1, 2020 (12:17 am)

CALLING ALL PATRIOTS!Don’t just SAY you #BackTheBlue. BACK THEM!Are we just going to sit back and LET this happen?Aged 18/over, in ANY state can SIGN & SHARE to help STOP Police Defunding! This very important and very valid Petition will be presented to City Council on MONDAY. The time to speak up is NOW, by adding your signature to let them know we want safety in our communities and Seattle, BEFORE it’s too late. You have a voice, and we need it right now. Please help. Do your part.Sign it, and share it to others.We are almost out of time.https://t.co/93EVcMaADh

Barton August 1, 2020 (11:27 am)

I oppose an arbitrary 50% cut but your post actually makes me not want to sign the petition. What’s with the flags? You can be patriotic and still believe defunding is the right course of action. Maybe you are trying to dissuade people from signing the petition by suggesting if they do they are aligned with the faux patriotic views In your post. Actually a good strategy if you support defunding.
- KM August 1, 2020 (4:03 pm)
  
  What about the use of the highlight tool? That didn’t do it for you?
zark00 August 1, 2020 (1:28 pm)

Lies to freak people out and get them to sign. Classic right wing tactic – fear, fear and more fear.

Realistic August 1, 2020 (1:21 am)

#defundseattlecitycouncil

anonyme August 1, 2020 (8:14 am)

I just read through the entire document and it was eye-opening. A lot of the money being cut from police is being transferred to already bloated budgets that have consistently shown not only a lack of accountability but a lack of success. A plan like this takes more than a couple of weeks of careful examination to prepare, much less implement, and IMO absolutely requires voter input. A tiny survey does not substitute for an actual vote. The entire city budget will need to be examined to address the effects of Covid-19; while police reform should be part of that broader plan, it should not be the entire focus. Some of the changes are actually frightening.

Barton August 1, 2020 (9:26 am)

As an ironic aside given the subject matter , there are several of the same commenters on this site that show up on so many posts being rude, arrogant, condescending and relentless – they are the experts, anyone who doesn’t agree with them is uneducated and ignorant and must be shown to be inferior. They must have the last word. I would lay money down that they are white, (relatively) young, privileged males. They happen to be focusing on progressive views here but the type is the same across the country, regardless of the subject matter. They must be the loudest most dominant voice in the room. Not interested in meaningful dialogue, only interested in proving their superiority. Usually I just roll my eyes but I would rather hear from those who are most directly impacted by the policies.

Glenda August 1, 2020 (9:53 am)

I’m a life long West Seattle resident, and a 15+ year City of Seattle employee who -like a lot of people- have been balancing working full-time while also trying to care for my toddler who is out of care. I’m exhausted, but thankful to have a job. I’m also liberal, I voted for Herbold (twice), I support BLM, I support criminal justice reform and police reform.

My position is one of the ones listed here as a potential civilian layoff.

The only thing I did to deserve this was getting hired by the “wrong” city department a few decades ago.

Right now there seems to be two sides: either you support BLM you also support a total 50% Defund. Or you are a very “back the blue” pro-police Anti-Defund.

Here’s the thing. Losing my job during a pandemic would of course be a huge loss for me personally, but if I thought it actually would solve some of the systemic issues in policing or improve things? Small price to pay, I can deal. People ARE more important than jobs.

Unfortunately, that’s not what these proposals are. SPD has not been asked for our input on anything from council, (Andrew Lewis even held a “Public Safety Town Hall” with Fire and Downtown Emergency Services Center and SPD wasn’t invited) and judging from the questions they have had to ask us, there is a scary lack of understanding about basic police functions. So even if you believe SPD has forfeited the right to have a say in all this – what is happening now is similar to a group wanting to revamp an entire school system without actually involving teachers and the people doing the work now.

I feel like right now the only Councilmember who has got sense in all of this is Debora Juarez who says she supports defunding, but does not currently support a 50% cut to police. She’s in favor of slowing down and doing the research to do it right, “We must balance our desire for expediency with foresight to ensure these reforms are permanent and do not jeopardize public safety.” Exactly. What good does doing it fast but wrong do for anybody?

I could go on but I’ll leave with this: when you see police in protest riot gear they do look like robots or stormtroopers. But in reality, MANY of them are your West Seattle neighbors. And for years, because we haven’t funded other social services appropriately, officers have been asked to pick up a lot of that work – work that they will be the first to say they aren’t the best suited for. There is a way to get this right and really do something great here, but right now all Council is doing is gleefully slicing and dicing the Department up and taking what they want (like Victim Advocates who work directly with detectives handling victims cases and sliding them over into their newly created Department) or without knowing much about what they are cutting (like talking about just how much money they can get from selling the police horses at Westcrest) They are doing this as fast as they are because they know people aren’t paying a ton of attention during the pandemic, and because they want to get credit for being the ‘first’ city to do a 50% defund.

When it is something as important as public safety, we need to demand that this process is slowed down and that all voices are at the table – yes absolutely include ideas of the groups calling out for change but – you should also include the Police Department.

BloDGnG August 1, 2020 (2:04 pm)

this has been the most intelligent post ive seen on this board.. all that needs to be said! open minded while being realistic… its crazy to see how many other people think like they live in a made up qorld or somethin
heartless August 1, 2020 (5:26 pm)

Glenda, thank you for your thoughts. I read them carefully.

First, I think it’s important to remember they haven’t done anything yet. They are not going as fast as they can, in fact they’ve delayed decisions a couple times already, and, again: nothing has been decided yet. This is how negotiations work. The SPD will want no defunding at all. Others will suggest 50%, and so it starts.

As for getting the SPD’s input–I don’t think anyone doubts what they would say. Indeed, they have already given input, see the articles in the WSB regarding Best’s statements.

I am also not sure why you think Seattle is doing this just “…because they want to get credit for being the ‘first’ city to do a 50% defund.” Is that just your guess, or…?

In short, I don’t think Seattle EVER rushes into anything, it’s sort of the (somewhat charming?) Achilles’ heel of this city. And I don’t think they are rushing into this. SPD gets a voice–I mean, it’s kinda hard to not hear them–and one must remember that this is the start of a process–nothing has been decided.

That said–defunding is necessary. Police departments across the US need reform. As you pointed out, police do too much–much more than they are trained to do, much more than they want to do, and much more than they have time to do.

Defunding and restructuring is the best way to change the system, streamline the police into a lean crime fighting force and nourish our communities with non-police support and assistance. We will be safer, it will be cheaper, and police will be better trained and happier.
- Glenda August 1, 2020 (8:03 pm)
  
  Heartless – I wish I could be as sanguine about this as you. I’m also not sure where you are getting your information.
  
  Trust me when I say I am very familiar with the usual “Seattle Process” and the whole reason I wrote this post was to alert people that this vote is happening quickly and it is for real. The actual votes on this are August 5th and August 10th.
  
  The Council currently has a veto-proof majority and most of what is proposed here is expected to pass. It will very likely lead to layoffs of police officers. The Mayor and Chief already suggested a $20 million cut for 2020 that would not lead to any layoffs.
  
  Having the Chief issue a statement about what cuts would do, is not the same as being invited to the table to suggest changes and the cuts that make the most sense. That is what I mean by Council asking for zero input from SPD.
  
  This is not the ‘start of negotiations’, – this is exactly what it is. The only negotiations that will be happening will be the bargaining and labor agreements that these proposals will get entangled in because they haven’t done enough background research on what their proposals would do in this area.
  
  The reason I said they are doing this to ‘get credit’ is that’s the only reasonable explanation for deciding on the percentage of your cut you are committing to FIRST and then trying to figure out your way into it.
  
  As for what would make police happier – right now I can tell you that they do not feel appreciated, they feel abandoned by the same city that was talking about hiring about 200 more officers as early as January of this year and a lot of the really, really great officers (trust me, these are the ones you would want to keep) are making their plans to depart to other agencies. So far, this is just a great way to end up with lot of grumpy older officers about 2 years away from retirement being the bulk of your police department if that’s what you are after.
  
  What I want is for 2020 cuts to be off the table outside of the $20 million proposed. Then Council, the Mayor, advocacy groups and the Police Department sit down and together imagine what a two-year solution looks like. I think what SPD would propose might surprise you. And I think this is how you would get real improvements. Outside of that, this is folly.
  - heartless August 1, 2020 (8:52 pm)
    
    In terms of things moving too quickly for you, I still disagree. Here are two reasons why:
    
    First, as you are no doubt aware, this is ONLY about the 2020 budget. If they took longer there simply wouldn’t be anything to discuss–which is, perhaps, precisely why some people want to drag it out. Again–this vote is ONLY for the 2020 budget–the year is more than half over, further delays would just render the whole discussion pointless.
    
    Second, the movement to defund has had a longer gestation than perhaps you realize. Back in May people were seriously discussing it, so the issue did not just pop out of nowhere. I find it hard to believe that people consider three months to be too fast.
    
    I am sorry, I guess, that the police do not “feel appreciated,” but this is not about their feelings, this is about racist policy and endemic abuse that must be stopped.
    
    As for being surprised what the PD might propose… Maybe? I look forward to any proposals they care to make–they have a lot of smart and caring people, and I hope those voices can be heard.
    
    One final note: We may disagree, but I truly appreciate your thoughts and how you’ve taken time to discuss a clearly awkward and thorny issue at a level somewhat above what one normally finds in the comments section.
    - Bradley August 2, 2020 (9:24 am)
      
      Is SPD even at the table? I’d hardly call that negotiating I just see 3 names two I’ve which I’ve never heard before. Unbiased? Hardly.

Derrick August 1, 2020 (11:29 am)

Black Lives Matter. The next generation of how our police serves our community must look different. My friends who are BIPOC deserve to have the same sense of safety and comfort when they see a police car behind them that I have as a white man.

I worry however that a blanket simplistic proposal to “defund by 50%” does not help us actually achieve the goal of an improved police department. In fact, it may actually move us FURTHER away from that goal. Eliminating training for implicit bias, for example, HURTS the healing between police and communities of color.

We need a discussion about how we are going to heal the divide between BIPOC and the police. Just slashing blindly and out of anger may “feel” good, but it does NOT help our community. I wish Herbold could take a leadership role and start the discussion about what we want Seattle Police 2.0 to look like, and how to get there. These deep cuts will very much hurt our community – not help.

Barton August 1, 2020 (1:45 pm)

Totally agree and so do all of the BIPOC that I have discussed the issue with.

mytwocents August 1, 2020 (3:28 pm)

Am I missing something here? Did I not get the memo? To me, community means all voices to be heard as a collective, and making decisions as a whole. NOT just the Council rashly deciding what goes, goes. There is no community if ALL voices cannot be heard! I’ve lived here 30 years and year after year, it’s only been about taxing this, that and everything else, hardly seeing any change for the better regarding many issues. ‘Just saying.

heartless August 1, 2020 (5:28 pm)

“Am I missing something here?”

Yes, I don’t think you understand how governments work.

Realistic August 1, 2020 (5:28 pm)

I have been a civilian employee for the City of Seattle for over 20 years. I have worked extremely hard day in and day out every single day of my employment. I do that for many reasons: it’s who I am, I believe in the department’s mission, I believe in earning a paycheck and I believe the citizens deserve it. I have cried every single day for weeks now. Employees of the department work hard and sacrifice a lot. It’s heartbreaking to watch the department fall apart at the hands of a city council that has their own agenda. I absolutely agree the department can cut their expenses. I can easily write a list of ridiculous expenses that can be cut. Every local, state, and federal agency can reduce their budgets. It’s hard for me to understand why it’s only the police departments responsibility to drastically cut their budget so the money can go towards new programs that might sound great on the surface but don’t really have a solid, well thought out plan. I’ve seen the city spend millions of dollars on new programs that end up failing. Why should anyone believe the proposed new programs will succeed when none in the past have (if past programs were successful then we wouldn’t be in our current situation right?). How about defunding every city department 5% each instead of only the police department by 50%? That would include the Legislative Department which is who City Council falls under. Keep in mind, some of the proposed cuts from the police department are not actual cuts. For example, the 911 center. That expense is not going away, the City of Seattle will still have that expense, on paper it just won’t be under the police department anymore.I am very proud of the men and women of the Seattle Police Department. I see how hard they work, I see they genuinely care about serving the public, I see their integrity, their loyalty, their dedication, their belief in the mission, and I see the sacrifices. It takes a lot of integrity to show up every day, especially when it’s going to be a day on the front line of riots being yelled at, things thrown at them, and told to pull their gun out, put it under their chin and pull the trigger as a city councilmember is standing right there next to the rioters. It’s takes a special person to continue doing this when they are not supported and have a very good chance of losing their jobs soon. The men and women of the Seattle Police Department are special and they are worth all of us fighting for.Defunding the police is not the answer. It’s personal agendas that will cost tax payers millions of dollars now and many more millions of dollars when it fails. If you support the police, please reach out to city council and let your voice be heard.As upsetting as everything is, I make you one promise. I promise that I will go to work every day and work hard for the citizens of Seattle. I will do this every single day until the day I retire. I’m not 100% perfect 100% of the time, but I will never stop trying. I will NEVER stop trying!Please be safe and take care of one another. Next time you see a police officer, thank them for their service.