Thread by @CMLGonzalez

Next up, we are joined by Deputy Mayor Mike Fong, Chief Scoggins, Chief Best, and @SeaNeighborhood Director Andres Mantilla.

Chair Herbold reminds us they cannot answer questions regarding ongoing investigations, but will speak to #JusticeForFloyd demostrations.

Deputy Mayor Fong acknowledges the long road ahead of the work around accountability and reform, that an after-action report will be developed, and that he looks forward to working with Council on these issues.

Seattle Police Department's Chief Best has joined us and acknowledges the complexity of what we are living through and what Black communities and communities of color have long lived through. But we cannot tolerate any amount of property destruction or assault on officers.

Chief Best continues with a report of Friday and Saturday activity. Downtown Seattle on Sunday was hard to see, a city in tatters but many people came to help. After hours of peaceful demonstration, there were some who escalated to mayhem.

On Monday, it was another repeat of hours of peaceful protests but there were some who escalated. A chunk of concrete was thrown at an officer. At the U-Village, we saw a drone monitoring police presence, we are not allowed to use drones. A total of 11 arrests were made.

Tuesday we saw more protests. Escalation. But I also met with people protesting along with the Mayor. In total, we made a total of over 80 arrests. Not everything went as planned and we do expect more ongoing demonstrations.

p.s. #TeamLorena is doing our best to live tweet this hearing but @ericacbarnett has faster fingers.

We'll try to do our best to capture the direct quotes from presenters that we are sharing in these threads.

Now, we are currently hearing from Chief Scoggins of @SeattleFire. He begins by sharing his own personal experiences and family story, being only 5 years new to Seattle.

"We staffed up five additional fire engines on Saturday and placed them around community because we knew we'd have calls coming in...we knew it was going to be challenging"

"On Saturday we had a total of 33 calls related to the protests. As we moved into Sunday, we knew we would need additional resources. King County came and helped. Moving into Monday, we had 18 calls and responses around the protests.

"We strategically located our resources around the City, including UVillage. Our members of the Seattle Fire Department have been going non-stop for a very long time, longer than the last few days, and working very hard."

Joining us Director Mantilla of @SeaNeighborhood to share his department's response to the demonstrations as well as the intersection with COVID19. "I'd like to begin by centering my department's work in racial equity...as a team DON has two North Stars to guide our work

"I'd like to lift up our community liaison program. These are individuals and community partners who help bring additional perspectives into the work we do at the City through language, abilities, and other diverse lived experiences

"Over the last few days, DON has been focused on getting information about the curfew out via community based organizations as well as through personal outreach

"We had many crews from the City as well as community organizations and community members who came to do clean up downtown and the CID. We're very thankful for everyone who stepped up."

.@CMAndrewJLewis is first up with Council questions to this panel and uses some of his time to share video from Monday's demonstration on Capitol Hill.

CM @Lisa_Herbold - speaks to "in 25 years, I've never seen tear gas used so indiscriminately with so little effort to de-escalate"

Now, @cmkshama asks about SPD policies about "what rules are needed on engaging with demonstrations like not grabbing an umbrella?"

Up now, @CMTMosqueda asks "Will you stop using tear gas? Will you stop using flash bang devices? Will you stop deploying rubber bullets?"

Thank you to Deputy Mayor Fong, Chief Best, Chief Scoggins, and Director Mantilla. I look forward to working with you and ongoing dialogue about what's next for our City.