In recent weeks, I’ve had more than a dozen meetings with organizations, Black leaders, and protesters. Right now, I am at City Hall doing the work.
I will meet with Chief Best to continue our work to move forward on many ideas, including how we reimagine policing and community investments and how that is reflected in the budget.
Many organizations are demanding changes in education, youth safety, housing, criminal justice reform, policing and health care. I have made those a priority for two years, with investments in affordable housing, community-based programs, quality preschool and free college.
But I know we need to do more, and hear the voices demanding change at the local, county, state, and federal level. I'll continue to meet with people that have different points of view. It is my job to listen and act.
The City has taken initial steps rooted in community demands to address policing and community investments and is working towards lasting change – not only for policing but all failed systems.
Earlier this week, I outlined my plan to:
- Invest in BIPOC communities
- Invest in young people and youth opportunity
- Rethink and reimagine policing, including culture and budgets
- Increase accountability and reform, including statewide reforms of police unions
- Invest in BIPOC communities
- Invest in young people and youth opportunity
- Rethink and reimagine policing, including culture and budgets
- Increase accountability and reform, including statewide reforms of police unions
Not every 9-1-1 call requires a police officer with a gun. That’s why Chief Best and @SeattlePD are conducting a deep review of SPD’s budget and assessing what functions could be moved to other departments or be removed entirely.
@SeattlePD This process will result in a bigger investment in behavioral health specialists, health care workers, social workers, domestic violence counselors, and addiction counselors who can better address community needs.
@SeattlePD We want to continue to listen to the community on the types of programs – like nurses in shelters or SFD's innovative Health One program – that we can expand while reducing SPD’s budget.
