WEEK AHEAD: Police chief promises ‘conversation’ at West Seattle meeting (update: but he won’t be there)

| Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

11:59 PM: Arguably the highest-profile meeting in West Seattle this coming week will be Wednesday (March 11) at Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle), when Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes visits for what’s promised as a “community conversation” about public safety.

The meeting is part of a monthly series rotating around the city. Checking the SPD events calendar, we see another one planned in West Seattle at 6 pm August 12th at Delridge Community Center.

12:25 PM MONDAY: Crime Prevention Coordinator Matt Brown tells WSB he just got word the chief won’t be in attendance, so the meeting will be led by Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Krista Bair. We’re following up to ask why the chief can’t be there, as this has been in the works for months.

CarlessinSeattle March 9, 2026 (10:04 am)

While I understand that SPD is short-staffed, I think enforcing existing laws would go a long way to keeping our community safe. My neighbors and I were victims of a hit and run driver that side-swiped one car and then fully destroyed a large SUV and a large sedan (insurance totaled both out) parked right next to a school. Thanks to video evidence of this first collision (according to SPD officer he went on to commit a second hit and run minutes later) and this blog, he was identified. He came back the next day and left his drivers license, insurance info. and took full responsibility through his insurance. We shared all of this evidence with police. This crime took place last October 31, and it is my understanding that the perpetrator has yet to receive even a ticket while we are left without our cars and in insurance hell. The victim of the second hit and run doesn’t even know the perpetrator has been identified. This crime was egregious and I ask Chief Barnes to please enforce the law before it happens again.