Across the City, hundreds of thousands have gathered daily at different events protesting the murder of George Floyd and hundreds of years of systemic racism that led to his death. A recent silent march had nearly 85,000 peaceful attendees whose message was clear: we need change.
At the same time, tens of thousands of people have been gathering in Capitol Hill for nearly two weeks to continue their protest, to build community and demand change. During the day, it has been a place for healing, education, and community - but it is very different at night.
In the past two nights, three different people have been shot at the CHOP. Two were injured, and one has tragically died. Any incidents of gun violence in our city are deeply concerning to me, Chief @carmenbest, our residents, businesses, and the greater community.
@carmenbest This is unacceptable. We have worked hard to address gun violence in our city - particularly among our youth - yet this Saturday morning, a 19 year old tragically lost his life. As a mother of a 19 year old, I cannot begin to imagine the grief his mother and family are feeling.
@carmenbest While we believe community and demonstrators can and should continue gathering peacefully on Capitol Hill, the disorder, violence and impacts on businesses and residents threatens to derail the CHOP's critical message calling for justice, equality, and systemic reform.
@carmenbest In recent days, the @CityofSeattle has deployed community resources to both de-escalate tensions in the CHOP and connect people who are in need with services. We will continue working with community organizations to address community needs in and around Cal Anderson Park.
@carmenbest @CityofSeattle We have heard many say over the last two weeks that @SeattlePD are not always the right department to respond in the case of an emergency; that we as a city need to respond with community based solutions. We agree.
@carmenbest @CityofSeattle @SeattlePD As part of the 2020 and 2021 budget, we will be looking at @SeattlePD's culture and budget. Police should not always be first people on the scene to deal with every call for help. Not every 9-1-1 call requires someone with a firearm to show up.
@carmenbest @CityofSeattle @SeattlePD We must deploy the right person with the right skills into a situation - like mental health specialists, domestic violence counselors, or addiction counselors. We must expand programs that follow these models, like SPD's Community Service Officers and @SeattleFire's Health One.
@carmenbest @CityofSeattle @SeattlePD @SeattleFire But Chief @carmenbest has made it clear to me that for the short-term, our Police Department will need East Precinct to ensure public safety and appropriately respond to more than 100,000 9-1-1 calls. In the near future, SPD will be peacefully returning to the East Precinct.
@carmenbest @CityofSeattle @SeattlePD @SeattleFire But we will not lose sight of the future: part of our plan to re-imagine policing should will also include the long-term future of the East Precinct on Capitol Hill and how police and community resources are present in our communities.
@carmenbest @CityofSeattle @SeattlePD @SeattleFire On Capitol Hill and across Seattle, we need to have true community space - with connections to community-based organizations, health clinics, and restorative justice programs - that will help us move forward together to dismantle generations of systemic racism in our City.
