Today Chief Best sent a message to officers to convey the financial outlook of the City and address any future cuts that may happen within SPD. 1/4
While no decisions have been made yet, we wanted the community to be aware of the situation. Laying off 50% of the department would be catastrophic for public safety in the city of Seattle. 2/4
The Department has made a conscious effort to hire employees, both sworn and civilian, who represent the diversity and values within our community. 3/4
Cuts this deep mean we would lose more than 50% of our (BIPOC) officers. These officers’ life experiences make us a better department and community. 4/4 spdblotter.seattle.gov/2020/07/10/chi…
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Officers are making multiple arrests at a protest inside Cal Anderson Park. Orders are being given to protesters to back away from officers and to stop throwing items at officers.
Additional arrests have been made inside the crowd. No injuries have been reported at this time.
Individuals in the crowd have begun throwing water bottles at officers. Additional arrests will occur as we can safely remove those individuals from the crowd.
Officers have issued a public safety order to this group, which has continued to place hazards in the roadway. Police are making an arrest at 7/Olive. #MayDaySea
Officers have also recovered a carton of eggs—containing both eggs and eggs filled with paint—after a bystander was pelted on the street near 7/Olive #MayDaySea
Group continues to march through downtown. Please be cautious while driving in the downtown core this evening. #MayDaySea
Police are monitoring a group marching in the downtown area. Participants are dragging construction signs and other items into the roadway to block traffic. Multiple arrests made in 200 block of Columbia Street.
Arrests at 200 block Cherry Street were made for crimes including assault on an officer, obstruction, pedestrian interference and resisting arrest. Group is currently near #PikePlaceMarket. Please stay out of the area.
Members of the group broke multiple windows and vandalized a business at 2nd Ave and Lenora Street.
Police have begun providing dispersal orders so that @SeattleParks can clean and conduct maintenance inside Cal Anderson park. Please leave the area.
We have started to receive questions about where people can retrieve belongings left behind in Cal Anderson. Here is a copy of the notice posted by @SeattleParks
.@SeattleParks has started cleaning Cal Anderson. The park remains closed.