More than 100 people crowded into the main room at High Point Neighborhood House for City Councilmember Rob Saka‘s community-safety forum, with overflow attendees nearby. In the main room, frustration erupted toward the end, as some yelled out that the crowd had been talked at rather than talked with or listened to, as the meeting was adjourned without an open-mic comment or Q&A period.
We recorded the entire meeting on video (update: here it is:)
Opening the event, Saka’s chief of staff Elaine Ikoma Ko(below right) stressed that they would focused on these “three neighborhoods experiencing a lot of gun violence” – North Delridge, High Point, and Snake Hill. Ikoma Ko also commended the North Delridge neighbors who organized a community meeting last week (WSB coverage here).
Saka then followed with thanks for attendees and the city department heads – Police, City Light, Parks included – who were at the table with him, along with the mayor’s public-safety officer Natalie Walton-Anderson.
Saka explained what he’s accountable for and empowered to do – “I write laws and write checks” plus “advocacy. .. So why are we here? Because of a troubling rise in gun violence in three specific neighborhoods … To be honest, yes, there’s a notable increase in gun violence this year, but … we know those neighborhoods are experiencing (it) at a disproportionately high rate.” And, he noted, “shootings in these areas are not new, sadly.” He blamed gangs and “the surrounding neighborhood – greenbelt- lends itself to people taking potshots, shots of opportunity.” He mentioned the 130-gunshot incident near his house, and how it frightened his own children. At first he thought it had to be fireworks, and consoled his daughter, who went back to sleep; then later he learned via “reports online” that it was gunfire. He then checked on his other children to ensure they were safe, saying it was a fear that no one should ever have to experience.”
“As your councilmember I’ll tell you the honest truth” – he believes “underinvestment” in the neighborhood is to blame. Missing sidewalks. Dim, broken, or missing streetlights. Saka said he’s been “hard at work trying to right some of those historical wrongs” like getting funding for new sidewalks. “But when we have kids; car seats getting hit by gunfire, we’rehumbly reminded there’s more work to do.”
Three announcements/promises were offered:
#1 – Streetlight upgrades
#2 – Crime prevention experts will analyze all three neighborhoods to see ‘what more can we do?” via CPTED
#3 – Parks Department will advance a Summer Action Safety Plan for parks, details TBA, including Greg Davis and Cottage Grove Parks in North Delridge
The department heads who are here have $3.1 billion of decisionmaking authority, Saka declared. “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own neighborhoods and communities.”
He then handed the microphone to citywide Councilmember Sara Nelson, who serves as council president and who is up for re-election this year (Saka is midway through a four-year term). She says the current council is “super-majority pro-public safety.” She touted the end of the trend of “losing more officers than we can hire” each year, after six years. “Our efforts are bearing fruit but it only matters if you feel a difference in your daily lives.”
Public safety isn’t just about police, though, she said, mentioning the drug crisis and other challenges such as street racing and lighting. “Now is not the time to pat ourselves on the back – this is a moment for humility …” She also said this is the first time in a while that the council and mayor get along well. And she insisted “we are focused on public safety in EVERY form. … your voice gives our action legitimacy.”
Next, the mayor’s chief public-safety officer, Walton-Anderson, a 20-year West Seattle resident, spoke. “Safety in every neighborhood is important,” but this one is hers, she said. “This work is deeply personal … This is not easy work … but I’m happy to be here.” She insisted that public safety is Mayor Harrell’s top priority. “There are short-term and long-term actions we are, and can be, doing.” Public safety is a priority for every department, she added, saying all departments are working together. She went through the mayor’s public-safety priorities in the “One Seattle Restoration Framework,” starting with “reducing gun violence.”
She addressed the issue of people finding themselves having trouble getting through to 911. That service had a personnel shortage but is addressing it – they have a “new class” that’ll make progress toward that. But in the meantime, call or text 911, don’t be dissuaded by others’ stories. “We need that data.”
They’re working on the opioid crisis – which is far beyond a local problem, Walton-Anderson noted.
And she said SPD is on track to hire “more than we have budget for” but she said the mayor has assured them they’ll find the money. Regarding technology, they’re hiring to staff up the “real-time crime center.” Automated license plate readers have even helped lead to a homicide suspect’s arrest. Please keep reporting what happens, she implored. “We’re working tirelessly” to address problems.
Next, Police Chief Shon Barnes. “No one deserves to live in a community and feel unsafe or be unsafe. I got into policing because I truly believe that. The answer is simple – we have to work together in partnership. … We have to be committed to working together to solve our problems.” A major problem: “Young people with guns indiscriminately firing guns” is a problem here and nationwide. So what action are they taking? “Increased patrols .. we call them directed patrols … 20 minutes of every hour in the areas we talked about … we’re trying to measure the effects of that.” He promised they will deploy officers proactively.
#2, they authorized some overtime so officers can join supervisor in Gun Violence Reduction Units – it’s voluntary, he said, and they haven’t had as much response yet as they would like.
#3, they’re now having two gun violence meetings a week, Thursdays to look ahead, Mondays to talk about what happened over the weekend. They’re analyzing shell casings.
The real-time crime center’s official grand opening will be on the 20th and they’ll have a program where you can register your home camera with SPD in case investigators need video. They’re also looking at software that might analyze noise levels to see if violence could break out. Also, they’re implementing what he calls Seattle-Centric Policing – “looking at how crime behaves in each precinct, identifying things that are specific to areas – daily crime analysis of what’s been happening “to see if we’re seeing a pattern … we have to get better at understanding how crime operates in each of our precincts.”
What can you do? “Be our eyes and our ears, call 911 first,” said the chief. Even if you have relationships with specific officers, report to 911. Last but not least, “weknow some of the people are young people” – “if you have an opportunity to embrace someone younger than you, give them a job, be a mentor, you could be changing someone’s life.”
He said the quote about “it takes a village t raise a child” has a flip side – if the child is not embraced by the village, he might burn it down.
Next, City Light CEO Dawn Lindell. Her agency has 90,000 streetlights and “thousands are out” at any given time. District 1 stats: Repaired since 1/24, 501, and 179 are out right now. High Point, Alki, North Admiral are the ones historically with the most out … North Delridge and Highland Park are the ones with the most out now. She said Councilmember Saka asked about brightening existing lights, and they’ll do that on SW Brandon between SW 26 and SW 30. 135 watt LEDs instead of the 52-watt LEDs in there now. THe work order will be issued y May 30, June 2-6 Brandon treetrimming, then by June 13 they’ll have extended bracket arms in so they can start installation. This all makes it possible to brighten things without raising the poles. They also want to protect the tree canopy, she said. “Awesome work, engineering!”
Almost one hour into the meeting, she was the first to addresss a presubmitted question. She clarified that City Light isn’t accountable for all outdoor lights in public areas. She also explained the prioritization of lights reported as broken. Theft of wire is their biggest issue, she said. They’ve worked with recycling owners to “say don’t take the wire, it’s like sending them to steal it.” Some are complying, some are not. Some areas will have to be rewired when repaired.
Parks Superintendent AP Diaz spoke next. He said people in Seattle love their parks – 500 of them, “a blessing and a challenge.” Some use parks as “their front yards and their back yards.” He acknowledged that while Parks acknowledges cheery milestones like “30 days until x o’clock sunsets,” for some residents, it might be “30 days until loud parties.” Overall, he said, it’s important that city leaders “make the simple choices to improve your quality of life.” He said that “in the spirit of common-sense approach,” they’re working on strategies including lighting/CPTED (and honoring the “broken window theory”). He said “law enforcement is not a bad word”though he was warned when he arrived that it was. They’re adjusting park hours (like Alki), as previously reported. “That’s informed by crime and calls for service.” THey know that “in West Seattle around the water.” He talked about chronic problems like people breaking their gates. “We’re coming up with new strategies” to deter that. They’re working with Chief Barnes on the best times for directed patrols. “We’re committed to making this better” – but they need residents to keep pressure on state lawmakers – it’s still not illegal to bring a gun into a community center, a teen life center, a Parks facility – every year it’s proposed, every year it’s pulled. Keep up the pressure, he urged.
The mic then went back to Saka. He acknowledged the struggle immigrants face, and recalled the first homicide victim of 2024, the deadly shooting of Mobarak Adam at Southwest Teen Life Center. “These are the issues that keep me up at night.”
Department of Neighborhoods director Jenifer Chao – noting she immigrated here from Thailand – was the next speaker. She answered a question: What’s being done to ensure a future for kids and youth? “We value relationships … we co-create with community” because those are the solutions she knows. Honest conversations are key to trust, she added. “The solution is right here in this room.” She listed some of the programs and agencies that the city has supported, with “community-led work that we have supported through grants.” DON has four community-engagement coordinators, citywide, Chao said, acknowledging “we need more.” She said her department “retains a presence in D-1” in many areas and matters. This area’s assigned community-engagement coordinator is Rosa Garcia.
A bit of time was saved for Q&A, starting at 7:50 pm, read from cards. How can the community best get involved? Call 911, said Chief Barnes. SW Precinct commander Capt. Krista Bair also suggested contacting Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite. Regarding video, there’s a link that can be created for it to be uploaded.
Community-based public-safety initiatives? Chief Barnes said coming to meetings like this is good – you can also invite police to your neighborhood.
Walton-Anderson said neighborhood walks can be powerful and she’d be happy to join them. Walking as a group can be powerful, she said. “I’m going to commit right now to walking anywhere in the Southwest Precinct.”
Ikoma Ko brought up the frequent question about the non-emergency line not getting answered. Walton-Anderson said the same thing we’ve written many times: “Call 911.” It’s the same calltakers. They’ve been short-staffed but they’re staffing up so they can staff the non-emergency line better, but 911 is the priority.
One attendee said it doesn’t make sense then for them to post numbers that aren’t being answered. “It’s not that they’re not answering, they’re answering something else.” She also invited people to apply for the job.
Before one last question, Ikoma Ko promised again “This is not a one-off” and said there’s an online survey
Then someone yelled out, “If we have this meeting again, can we talk?” That drew applause from throughout the room. “Seems like politicking!” someone else shouted out.
Saka then took back the microphone and tried to retake control. He said he’d heard a desire for more action, frustration over gun violence, and frustration over streetlights. An attendee yelled out, “Who here is concerned about streetlights” and noted aloud that no hands were raised. Saka continued nonetheless. He said that hiring more 911 calltakers was important. He continued plowing through his closing statement, and said he’d also heard a city commitment to invest more in the neighborhoods, as a result of community advocacy.
That’s when more shouting erupted; the resident who had a bullet hole in a car seat came to the front of the room and shouted that the meeting wasn’t what they had asked for, a live forum to talk about the violent crime that had been going on. More shouting continued; Saka tried to counter the allegations, and someone said, “You’re still talking.” Someone else yelled, “You don’t care.” Another attendee said, “He does care. He’s here.”
That’s when the meeting broke up, with people staying in the room to talk – amongst themselves.
Saka stayed too, circulating among some attendees to talk one on one.
What had been one of West Seattle’s most visible tent encampments, Rotary Viewpoint Park at 35th/Alaska, was “resolved” last week, as the city’s Unified Care Team puts it. But some campers returned – though none were in streetfront evidence when we passed by this morning – so the city says UCT reps “will return this week to offer available shelter and restore public access to the site.”
That last phrase is key to what’s happening at that site. We got a tip last week about the “resolution,” from someone voicing a concern that it had been done twice recently without notices having been posted. First UCT spokesperson Kate Jacobs told WSB that in the case of last week’s operation, it had been posted the day before. We followed up, wondering about the city’s current rules for advance warning. Jacobs replied:
The City’s approach balances compassion and urgency in helping keep public spaces open and accessible to all. UCT continues to follow the Multi Departmental Administrative Rules and FAS Encampment Rule 17-01 (collectively called MDARs), which are the rules and legal parameters that govern UCT’s work.
The Rotary Viewpoint Park encampment qualified under these rules for immediate removal since it obstructed access to a public right-of-way. City policy is to provide offers of shelter whenever possible when removing obstructions and immediate hazards despite not being a requirement under encampment rules. UCT was able to provide the necessary time and resources for that outreach in this case and, on May 9, UCT made 5 offers of shelter and one was accepted ….
While people ultimately decide for themselves when they are ready to come indoors, UCT remains focused on consistent outreach, long-term engagement, and improving conditions for both our housed and unhoused neighbors.
If you are concerned about an encampment, city reps continue to advise reporting it via Find It, Fix It.
Want to see new safe places to walk in the Highland Park neighborhood? Thanks to the Seattle Transportation Levy we can build at least 10 blocks of new sidewalk or walkway in Highland Park. Please join us for a neighborhood walk and share with us where you would like to see new walkways and/or sidewalks.
Date: Wednesday May 21st, 2025
Time: 5:00-6:30 pm
Location: Gather at Highland Park Elementary (1012 SW Trenton St) in the covered area of the playground, and then walk the neighborhood with us!
3:30 PM: As we reported over the weekend, frustrated neighbors in North Delridge have organized a community meetup for tomorrow night (6 pm Tuesday, May 6, Cottage Grove Park) to talk about safety concerns, including multiple gunfire incidents. Now City Councilmember Rob Saka has just announced that he’s organizing a District 1 Community Safety Town Hall focused on that area among others, with Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes among the panelists. He made the announcement during the City Council’s weekly briefing, at which he’s still speaking as we type this; he said Wednesday, May 14, is the date, but did not announce a time or place, saying that’s forthcoming; we’re also inquiring. (Added) City Council President Sara Nelson just told Saka during the meeting that she’ll attend too.
5:09 PM: The council communications office tells WSB they don’t have any additional details yet.
7:47 PM TUESDAY: One more bit of info revealed today – it’ll start at 6:30 pm. Councilmember Saka’s chief of staff Elaine Ikoma Ko, representing him at tonight’s North Delridge community conversation, said the location is still being finalized but they’ll announce that tomorrow.
I was just at the Fauntleroy ferry dock near the tail end of the line [near tollbooth, lane 3] and there was a swarm of bees, dozens of them, flying all over the place. They must have built a nest nearby. I didn’t dare open my windows, even on a day like this. I thought I would send that information along since it can be real dangerous for some people. I reported it to WSDOT.
We’ll be checking with Washington State Ferries but in the meantime, since this is information we publish every year, we’ll take a moment to explain that if they’re honey bees, you should notify a local beekeeper who would be interested in collecting the swarm. Here’s the Puget Sound Beekeepers Association list for this year – including West Seattle contacts.
For those who wondered how a walking tour starting at Westwood Village would address pedestrian safety in South Delridge, here’s how:
(Digital image from SDOT substituted Thursday for previous photo of paper map)
That was the planned route for tonight’s SDOT-coordinated tour, meant to give people a chance to suggest how/where to build “at least 10 blocks” of sidewalks and/or walkways in the area, with money from the billion-and-a-half-dollars-plus Seattle Transportation levy that voters approved last year. The longest stretch of the road, uphill on Barton toward Delridge, actually had sidewalks, but a northward turn, west of Delridge, put participants on a street that did not.
About half of the ~20 people who participated were city employees. SDOT project leaders stressed that the walking route was by no means predetermined as the future-sidewalk route. The community members who participated had some specific suggestions about making walking safer – including the small children they brought along. Participants got to experience a variety of walking conditions.
That included the Barton Place hill where an encampment sprawls across the sidewalk close to the top of the stairway down to 22nd (which has a foil-wrapped railing):
(One walker recalled a Find It Fix It Walk in the area nine years ago, and the goat deployment that followed.) The block north of there was again without sidewalks, and the participating families had a lot to say about that since that was their neighborhood. (They expressed interest in upgrading the 22nd/Trenton crossing, too.)
We left the tour on 22nd to get to HPAC‘s 6:30 meeting; it didn’t appear to be resulting in any particular to-do list- the SDOT reps promised a report would be forthcoming; whatever project area(s) they settle on, they expect to get to “10% design” before year’s end, and construction could start as soon as next year – or as late as 2029. If you have suggestions – crosswalks, lights, and other safety measures, not just sidewalk sites, you can email this team at levysidewalks@seattle.gov.
OTHER AREAS: They’ve already done a tour in North Delridge, and said tonight they’ll be announcing one for Highland Park on May 21.
Though Thursday night’s Alki Community Council meeting yielded no major revelations about the summer safety plan for the beach, the fact that the meeting happened at all, one month before the season’s traditional start, was a triumph.
ACC brought together reps from Seattle Police, Seattle Parks, and Seattle Public Utilities, with other guests and with the Alki Bathhouse serving as a symbolically important setting, just steps from the epicenter of summer activity at the beach – both good and bad. Last year, a multi-agency community meeting (WSB coverage here) happened after a still-unsolved murder on Duwamish Head in June.
As we’ve been reporting since last month, Parks plans to finally make earlier closing times at Alki (and elsewhere) permanent, after years of implementing them as a “pilot” (here’s our coverage of last week’s Parks Board meeting at which commissioners voted in favor of the change. So that means a 10:30 pm closing time for Alki. But closing times alone won’t solve everything. Other aspects of Alki summers were spotlighted at the meeting.
“We are really looking forward to the summer season,” opened Starck with optimism, even with the possibility that a small percentage of “bad actors” can cause trouble. The meeting was intended, she explained, to learn from city reps who are “guardians” of the area, and to learn how everyone can be a “guardian” in their own way.
Taking the concept of guardianship back a few centuries, the area’s First People were represented by Chief Sealth descendant Ken Workman stood before the crowd to deliver a welcome in Lushootsheed, the Duwamish Tribe‘s language, which he said children are learning again. He spoke of his great-great-etc. grandfather welcoming the Denny Party in 1851. In the less than two centuries that have passed, he observed, “On this land, everything has changed. … this was all trees.” He wanted to come and “show you where you are.”
EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS: Two guests whose stewardship of the land started far more recently spoke to the ACC next – Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) eighth-graders whose “Change the World” project is plastic pollution. They’re oganizing a beach-cleanup day – no date chosen yet – and will need help getting the word out. They haven’t set a date yet but will let the ACC know. Starck told them, “We’re super proud you’re taking control of what’s happening in your back yard.”
SUMMER-PREVIEW PANEL: Then it was on to the summer-preview panel – Seattle Police Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Krista Bair, Jon Jainga from Seattle Parks’ security and emergency-management team, Tracy Cramer from Seattle Public Utilities‘ Clean City Initiative, and one more Parks rep, Brian Willis, Southwest District maintenance captain (handling 86 parks – with “not a lot” of staff, he said when Starck asked).
SANDBOX STOLEN: Megan says this happened around 1:20 am today in North Delridge:
These 3 in the video came into my fenced yard and stole my kids’ brand-new sandbox (wasn’t yet built). Was large box of wood. They went down Nevada St and 26th Ave. going into several yards, garages, and porches ,as well taking items.
Hoping they dumped the sandbox. Also found 3 propane tanks dumped outside as well as a purse and some clothes – after this theft. Just wanted to share in case others also encountered these people. Not sure if they are on foot or using a car.
We’ll add the police-report number when we get it.
SAFETY MEETING REMINDER: One more reminder that all are welcome at a Westwood-area community-safety meeting with SPD at Village Green-West Seattle (2615 SW Barton; WSB sponsor), 6 pm tomorrow (Wednesday, April 16).
As we’ve reported, the city is moving toward an earlier closing time for Alki Beach Park this spring/summer – and beyond. But what else is planned to address safety concerns as warmer weather brings more people to the regionally renowned beach? The Alki Community Council invites you to this Thursday’s monthly gathering, this time at Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki), to hear from and talk with a panel of people working on the issue. Here’s the ACC announcement:
Reminder: Alki Community Council Meeting – Thursday, April 17th
Special Summer Safety Prep Meeting
* New Location: Alki Bathhouse
* New Start: 6:30-8 pm (In-person only)
We’re switching things up this month as we take it to the beach—right where it matters most. Our meeting at Alki Bathhouse is all about the beach: how we can protect it, and the people who live and visit here.
As we prepare for a busy summer with environmental and ongoing safety concerns—amid a 300+ officer shortage—you’ll hear directly from those on the front lines of guardianship of both people and our parks.
What makes this meeting special? We’re bringing together voices from 8th grade changemakers to top city leaders—all committed to keeping Alki safe, clean, and cared for.
Speaker Lineup:
Explorer West Middle School 8th Graders – Youth-led action item. Captain Krista Bair, SPD SW Precinct commander Jon Jainga, Seattle Parks Security & Emergency Mgmt. Tracy Cramer, SPU Clean City / Litter Abatement Seattle Park Rangers Dave Delgado, Seal Sitters –– Wildlife crisis response
Bring your questions and concerns, and join us to help keep the place we love safe and beautiful.
Spring is a beautiful yet precarious time – and if you’re heading into the mountains, awareness and education can be life-saving. An informational event Wednesday at Mountain to Sound Outfitters in The Triangle (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) can help – here’s the announcement:
Mountain to Sound Outfitters is collaborating with local mountain-guiding company Mountain Madness to host a springtime avalanche-awareness workshop! Attendees will learn tips and techniques for spring backcountry ski travel and gain insight into the unique challenges springtime avalanches present. One of Mountain Madness’s certified guides will be available to answer any questions attendees may have. Refreshments will be provided as well!
The event will start at 6 pm on Wednesday 4/16. Tickets are $5 and the money spent on tickets can be used toward the purchase of any backcountry-specific gear sold at M2S.
If you feel like there have been more reports of shootings in the last few years, it’s not your imagination. Seattle Police are responding on average to twice as many reports of suspected shots fired as they did prior to the pandemic and 20% of the citywide incidents from 2021-2023 have been in District 1, which includes West Seattle.
Why is it happening and what changes can be made to bring those numbers back down? A new City Auditor’s report on gun violence is being presented tomorrow (Thursday, March 27)to a City Council committee with an eye toward increased cooperation and more effective ways to marshal data to reduce the injuries, deaths, and fear that come with gunfire.
The Governance, Accountability & Economic Development Committee will hear the results of the audit, which was at the request of the committee Chair, Council President Sara Nelson, and Mayor Bruce Harrell. What the audit found is that while a number of different agencies, including public health, have been gathering information about gun violence, they haven’t been collecting or sharing it in a consistent way. The audit pointed to more systematic programs used in a number of other cities — Baltimore, Indianapolis, and Portland — where sharing the data regularly within public agencies, coupled with a public information campaign to address gun violence, has resulted in a significant decrease in gun incidents and injuries.
The biggest takeaway from the audit is, “communicate, communicate, communicate,” but it also urges stronger data analysis and taking advantage of any resources that are available. It pointedly mentioned that the US Department of Justice offers a 10-step “roadmap” for reducing violent crime, for which the DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs offers technical assistance free of charge to communities. Auditor’s staff took advantage of this assistance for the purposes of the audit, noting, “Before our audit, the City had not been following the Violent Crime Reduction Roadmap nor using free technical assistance from OJP.”
The question about why there’s been such an increase in guns being fired (and a similar increase in injuries and deaths) since 2020 doesn’t have a single answer. The audit does note that the number of guns stolen in the city is also up since 2018. But it focuses most on clues in the data that have the potential to yield actionable next steps. Patterns like time of year (gun violence spikes in the summer), location (a particular park or street corner), who is involved and why, whether there is other crime in the area, can help focus violence prevention efforts in specific places rather than responding to calls of “shots fired,” when it’s already happened. A suggestion to potentially bring in the city’s Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) Department was another key recommendation.
The committee meeting starts tomorrow at 2 pm in the Council Chamber at City Hall. There is an opportunity for public comment shortly after the start of the meeting for which you must register ahead of time, as the agenda explains.
We promised that after another flipped-car crash toward the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge last weekend, we’d ask SDOT for an update on what they told us a month and a half ago, that they had a “plan to add safety enhancements” before year’s end. However, this plan apparently hasn’t solidified, as the answer we got today to the request Monday for timeline etc. was:
We’re continuing to explore potential safety improvements. Our team is working on next steps and will provide updates as plans progress.
We’re trying again to see if they can get a little more specific.
One more reminder that a Resource Fair is planned at Westwood Village‘s ex-Bed Bath Beyond/Spirit Halloween space on Saturday, 11 am-3 pm. We asked the Seattle Police Community Resource Officers, who organized it, for a list of the 40+ participating agencies/organizations – here it is:
Community Service Officers/SPD
Villa Communitaria
Seattle Animal Shelter/Control
Promoteres Network
Hopelink Community transportation program
King County Public Health Community Navigators
Building Beyond Communities
King County Health Public Outreach
Resource Navigation Neighborhood House
Neighborhood House MHP
Community Access & Engagement King County L&I
Washingron Relay Outreach
Project Help
Impact Public Schools Outreach
King County Environmental Health Services
Cell Phone Provider
Disability Empowerment Center
Union Gospel Mission
King County e-911
DEA Outreach
Seattle Public Schools
Victim Support Team
We Heart Seattle
Sea Mar Community Health Centers
Valley Cities Behavioral Health
Southwest PCT Crime Prevention Coordinator
Arms Around You
Communities of Belonging
Community for Youth
Delridge Community Center
Overdose Coordinator/KCME
Cultivate South Park
The More We Love
Care-a-Van WSDOH Vaccine Van
VA – suicide prevention coordinator
Transform Burien
Target
Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association
Haircut Team
West Seattle Food Bank
Park Rangers
Humana
Atlantic Street Center
Community Health Plan of WA
Alcoholics Anonymous
Seattle Public Library – High Point
Molina Healthcare
TJX/Marshalls
A little over an hour before today’s deadly shooting outside the Southwest Precinct (WSB coverage here), Mayor Bruce Harrell and CARE Department Chief Amy Barden were in West Seattle to talk about the expansion of CARE Community Crisis Responders into the SW and South Precinct areas. At the media briefing after the shooting, SPD Chief Shon Barnes was asked if this was a situation for which they could have been called. He said he didn’t know, but pointed out that the situation unfolded very quickly. (The official description of CCRs is that they “typically respond to low-acuity mental health crisis calls that do not pose a threat of violence nor involve a medical emergency […] and will only respond to calls that do not require enforcement of any kind.”)
The CARE responders officially started responding to calls in this area last week, as we showed you on Friday. This morning’s event outside Delridge Community Center was meant to be celebratory as well as informative. Here’s what the mayor – who had announced the expansion months ago – said:
He was followed by Chief Barden, who noted that so far in the past year and a half, her responders have gone out on more than 1,700 calls, with only three resulting in calls for police to return to the scene:
As with many city-presented media events like this, they scheduled community speakers too – including Alki Community Council president Charlotte Starck:
And the city officials took Q&A, during which the mayor and chief were asked about further plans to expand the responder team, which would among other things be subject to negotiation in the city’s contract with police:
Since the responders told us last week that they’re working out of a Third Avenue location, we asked how soon they are expected to have a workspace at the Southwest Precinct, as previously suggested. Answer: As soon as next month.
Michael, Vanessa, and Alfred are Community Crisis Responders with the city’s CARE Department Team. We caught up with them for a quick photo at Alki this afternoon as they wrapped up their first week of being available for calls in West Seattle and vicinity. As reported here previously, the CARE Team was able to expand to this area of the city once it grew in size, as budgeted, after its first year and a half. As explained here, CCRs – all behavioral-health professionals – respond (at least initially with police) to situations involving people in crisis or other behavioral-health emergencies. CARE – short for Community Assisted Response and Engagement – is led by Chief Amy Barden and is considered one of the city’s public-safety departments. Though they’ll eventually have workspace in this area, the responders told us they’re currently based downtown. (We might hear more about that when the mayor comes to West Seattle next week for a formal announcement that the CARE responders are now available here.)
The Seattle Transportation Levy includes money for some of the many areas around the city that need sidewalks. Just a drop in the bucket – SDOT says 11,000 blocks around the city are sidewalk-less, while the levy has funding for 350 blocks of new sidewalks/walkways. 10 of those blocks will be in North Delridge, according to SDOT. A commitment’s already been made for the long-promised SW Brandon sidewalk as an “anticipated initial (levy) project.” Where else does North Delridge most need sidewalks? SDOT has just announced a walk-and-talk event to give community members a chance to talk about it:
Want to see new safe places to walk in the Delridge neighborhood? Please join us for a neighborhood walk and share with us where you would like to see new walkways and/or sidewalks.
Date: Wednesday March 19th, 2025
Time: 5:00-6:30 pm
Location: Gather at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW) and then walk the neighborhood with us!
From Dave at Our Lady of Guadalupe, which had to close the block of SW Myrtle east of 35th around the clock for a week-plus after windstorm damage destabilized their flagpole:
The pole is down, the street is open, thank you to our neighbors for your patience.
(WSB photo, looking southwestward toward school and flagpole from 34th/Myrtle)
In our windstorm coverage last Tuesday, we mentioned that Our Lady of Guadalupe School had closed SW Myrtle between 34th and 35th – usually just a school-hours closure – because the stability of its flagpole was in question. The street has remained closed, and taped off, since then, while OLG determined whether the flagpole had to come down. Tonight, we checked back in, and the answer is “yes.” Dave from OLG tells WSB, “The pole needs to be taken down and we think that will occur on Thursday or Friday, and we will open the road at that point.” He says the flagpole eventually will be replaced.
After a tip, we went over late today and confirmed that the “School Street” signage on 45th Avenue SW in front of Madison Middle School has been damaged, a little over a month after the weekday street closure was implemented. Our photographer reports the signs are in pieces on both ends of the block, a little too deliberate-appearing to blame on, say, yesterday’s wind. We’re checking with SDOT about plans to replace it.
Since this’ll start before we publish tomorrow morning’s daily event list, we’re mentioning it tonight: 9:30 am tomorrow (Tuesday, February 18), the City Council’s Transportation Committee – chaired by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka – takes on two big topics: Transit safety – with a multi-agency/department roundtable – and the transportation levy’s spending plan for this year. We reported toplines of the latter here, after a media briefing last month. You can see the presentations for both, and get information on how to comment to the committee if you want to, via the agenda. The meeting will be viewable on Seattle Channel.
After anotherround of crashes in early January near the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge – by the welcome sign, sculptures, and pullout – we asked SDOT what they were doing to evaluate the site and potentially take action. Comment discussion has centered on whether a pavement change is a factor, and/or whether speed is the major problem, and/or possibly certain vehicle types. SDOT’s first reply was that they were looking into it. We followed up again, and this afternoon received this update:
Our pavement engineers and Vision Zero team met recently to discuss this issue.
This year we plan to add safety enhancements to encourage drivers to approach the curve at a safer speed. We are currently considering various treatments such as warning signs, raised pavement markings, and/or reflective markings.
If the pattern continues after those safety enhancements have been made, we are looking into the feasibility of two possible methods to increase the traction of the pavement in this area either by grinding down the top layer of pavement or adding a high-friction surface treatment. We’re considering the pros and cons of each option to determine if either one makes sense in this area. Either option would need to be scheduled at some point a little further out in the future after considering resources, crew availability, weather, and traffic impacts for drivers.
We don’t have stats on how many crashes have happened along that stretch – even our archives show crashes that aren’t reflected on the SDOT collision-info map.
1:15 PM: If you’ve been tracking national news, you have likely heard about the many orders and policy directives issued by the new federal administration. One today also has the potential for many city-level effects, so we’re checking on those. It’s an order from the federal Office of Management and Budget director, “paus(ing)” grants/funding. (See the memo here; Eastside U.S. House Rep. Suzan DelBene is circulating this analysis of potentially affected programs.)
Given the possibility for effects on city programs such as public safety and transportation, we asked whether any statement is forthcoming from Mayor Harrell. Not so far, responded spokesperson Callie Craighead, but here’s what she told us:
The City is analyzing the memo to understand the potential impacts of this action given its broad and vague language. We are actively working with City departments to evaluate any potential immediate effects.
Strong constitutional protections exist that limit the federal government’s ability to coerce cities by conditioning funds. We will continue to assess actions that impact Seattle’s access to federal funding that supports all of our residents and respond appropriately.
Checking WSB archives, we have 79 references to federal-grant funding for projects on which we’ve reported – most recently including the Spokane Street Viaduct repaving and Hiawatha Community Center renovations (a project that’s not yet complete). There are also school (we’re checking with the district) and medical programs potentially affected, among others. We’ll continue following up.
4:27 PM: The spending-pause order was supposed to take effect at 2 pm our time but a federal judge has put it on hold until next Monday afternoon (February 3).
ADDED WEDNESDAY MORNING:The AP reports the order has been rescinded.
After multiple crashes (including this one and this one) weekend before last toward the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge – near the pullout by the “Welcome to West Seattle” sign and remaining “Walking on Logs” sculptures – we asked SDOT if they’re looking into that particular spot.
(January 5 photo from commenter SeaKev)
Though neither crash resulted in serious injuries, among other things, they had other effects – such as, both led to callouts for SDOT responders to come reset the jersey barriers that the crashes had knocked out of place, which required blocking traffic for a time. Meantime, here’s what SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson told WSB:
Thank you for bringing this pattern to our attention … we’re still working on this question for you. Our pavement engineers and Vision Zero team are looking into this location to better understand the history and current conditions and consider potential next steps.
Some commenters have wondered whether a change in pavement types at that spot is a factor in these crashes – or whether it’s just a speed problem – or maybe a risk faced by certain types of vehicles. Even a quick search of our archives shows crashes at that spot for years. (Side notes – the number of crashes in our archives outstrips what’s shown on the SDOT collision data map, if you’re looking for hard data. And the bridge has had at least one other focused trouble spot before.) We’ll continue checking back to see what SDOT eventually deduces.
Though Thursday night’s 
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