Concerned about crime and other safety issues? Mayor’s regional forum Tuesday for West Seattle/South Park

If you want to hear what the city is doing about crime and/or other public-safety issues – and share your thoughts about what you’d like to see done – here’s another reminder: Tomorrow (Tuesday, May 14) brings Mayor Harrell‘s regional public-safety forum. It’s happening at 6 pm at Concord International Elementary School, 723 S. Concord in South Park (here’s a map). This is the third in a series of five, one in each of the city’s SPD-precinct areas (the Southwest Precinct serves both West Seattle and South Park). Here’s how the format’s been described in media advisories:

The public forum is part of a series of forums held in neighborhoods with community members across Seattle over the next month to share more about Mayor Harrell’s public safety framework and to receive input and feedback on safety priorities, allowing neighbors to engage in direct conversation with City leaders and representatives on public safety ideas and solutions.

Mayor Harrell and City leaders will make opening remarks, followed by interactive input sessions for participants. Community members will rotate in small groups to engage directly with City leaders and provide input informing action and policy priorities.

According to an SPD event announcement, these are the city departments expected to be represented:

Seattle Police Department
Seattle Fire Department
CARE (Community Assisted Response & Engagement Team)
Seattle Police Department Alternative Response Team
PARKS – Park Rangers
Seattle Police Department Youth Liaison
Department of Education and Early Learning
Seattle Department of Transportation
King County Metro
Department of Neighborhood
Office of Economic Development
(corrected) Human Services Department
Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs

They’re asking for attendees to RSVP – you can do that here.

14 Replies to "Concerned about crime and other safety issues? Mayor's regional forum Tuesday for West Seattle/South Park"

  • Seattlite May 13, 2024 (5:09 pm)

    This is just my opinion.  Talk is cheap.  Corrective action is gold.  The first corrective action I would like the mayor to do is reassess ALL policies that adversely affect the safety of citizens…from reducing SPD’s police officers to lowering the consequences for misdemeanors  and felonies.  The revolving door must stop.  Soft on crime policies are not working.  It is the mayor’s first job to keep a city’s citizens safe.  I do not believe that Seattle’s mayor is meeting this most important expectation. 

    • Lauren May 14, 2024 (8:04 am)

      For the zillionth time: there has been no reduction to SPD budget, including budget for staff. 

      • Seattlite May 14, 2024 (9:35 am)

        Lauren…Why are SPD’s police officers’ staffing levels at the lowest in 30 years?  SPD has approximately 913 deployable police officers today when 1,400 are needed.   Why?

        • KM May 14, 2024 (12:59 pm)

          People are leaving the force and nobody wants to work for SPD, that’s why. That is not the same as an imaginary reduction in budget. 

        • Lauren May 14, 2024 (2:02 pm)

          Seattlite, if you’re genuinely asking,  here are answers: KUOW – Did Seattle defund the police? Five graphs explain this enduring myth

        • Anony May 14, 2024 (2:47 pm)

          Seattlite, why not attend the meeting and find out from the source, since you refuse to believe anything you read or see here?  Talk is cheap after all, especially in internet comments.

  • Max Malone May 13, 2024 (8:50 pm)

    If you’re committed to the sentiments expressed in your message here, then appear at the forum at Concord International School and speak to the officials who will be present.    They’re not going to read your comments here.  Talk is cheap, indeed.  Show up, speak up.    THEN they’ll hear you. 

  • Millie May 13, 2024 (9:29 pm)

    Thank you Seattlite for your comments.    Covid should no longer be the excuse.  We need to hold people accountable for burglaries, shootings, stabbings at transit sites, driving without tabs, running red lights, speeding, you can go on and on.  The Mayor’s Office and City Council must look at all actions taken over the past several years to see what, if any, changes need to be made.   The time has come for action, not just, more community meetings to discuss the same topics yet again.

  • justme May 14, 2024 (7:29 am)

    We need to see true result data on the efficacy of the Diversion Program.

  • Dan May 14, 2024 (7:49 am)

    Indeed.  Action is gold.   City needs to be proactive and take action.  While a community meeting is good to collect feedback I hope action will be taken.

  • James May 14, 2024 (2:56 pm)

    Talk is cheap with Harrell. When is he going to focus on better housing solutions so people don’t have to retort to drugs and sleeping outside…and then tend to need to steal.  I do not want to hear from the police anymore. I want to hear from CARE and Housing Services on solutions.

    • WSB May 14, 2024 (3:38 pm)

      It’s actually Human Services (city error in the announcement text), but they’ll be there, so you can certainly talk to them there.

    • Lauren May 14, 2024 (10:06 pm)

      Amen, James

  • Admiral-2009 May 14, 2024 (10:35 pm)

    James – you want to here a solution, there are plenty of jobs available and sharing housing expenses is the way many of us had to do when starting out.  Reducing permit cost and time on work force housing also needs to be done.  

    The fact remains the vast majority of modest wage workers are able to make it work with out government assistance.

Sorry, comment time is over.