Seattle Forward

A Safe and Clean Downtown

A safe and clean downtown is something we all want for our city. Taking a big step toward that end, the City Council voted unanimously yesterday to renew the Metropolitan Improvement District (MID) for 10 years and expand it to Belltown.

The MID is one of the city’s nonprofit Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) where landowners pay special assessments to contract with private firms that provide additional trash pick-up, alley cleaning and other services that make the neighborhood cleaner and safer. The Council considered this renewal and expansion after it was presented to the Council in a petition signed by a significant majority of the would-be MID ratepayers. Because state law limits City government’s ability to raise revenues, BIAs have become an important tool for business districts throughout Seattle to raise their own revenue to make their sidewalks, buildings and streets more inviting to residents and customers.  

Consistent with our focus on results, the Council amended the proposal to require a performance audit of the MID to ensure that these beneficial services continue to be provided in an effective manner.

Another Safer Streets Element Advances

First proposed in 2008, another element of the Council's Safer Streets Initiative advanced today when Police Chief John Diaz announced a competitive process to select a mental health professional who will work closely with the department's Crisis Intervention Team. 

As originally proposed by SPD in 2008, former Chief Gil Kerlikowske wanted to pair mental health professionals on a full-time basis with his specially-trained crisis intervention officers.  Working with Kerlikowske and others, my office developed a proposal to secure King County mental health and drug dependency funding.  The two-year pilot project was eventually fully funded with MIDD funds, however those funds were withdrawn when the economy turned sour.  The city then submitted an application for federal funds which were awarded last year. 

Safer Streets, Less Punishment

Can we have less crime and less punishment at the same time? I think we can.

The City Council will vote next Monday on a new aggressive solicitation ordinance, the first step in our efforts to reduce crime and make our streets and sidewalks safer for everyone. (The new law passed out of committee last week on a 3-1 vote; Conlin, Bagshaw and myself in favor, Licata opposed.)

The ordinance is part of a five-point plan to address street crime and disorder. It has generated heated objections from some who claim it attacks the homeless and sweeps our city of people who look unpleasant or make us uncomfortable. That's simply not true. In fact, the leaders of major

Interesting Perspectives on Street Disorder

The Mayor agrees and police foot patrols are coming soon to Belltown, the downtown core, Pioneer Square and the International District.  Here's a Seattle Times editorial endorsing the added police presence; they're right.

One part of the street disorder problem in Seattle is aggressive solicitation.  Not by the homeless who rarely engage in aggressive panhandling but by street thugs and those who prey on people because they have come to believe they can get away with it in Seattle.  But, I'm the first to acknowledge that not everyone agrees and we have had a very robust debate over the past few weeks about the best approach to these problems.  I've met with community groups, business associations, individuals, advocates for the homeless and those living with poverty and listened to their differing opinions. 

Two guest opinion pieces will appear in Sunday's Seattle Times on this important topic.  This one is written by a social service provider who strongly endorses the measures I've proposed, primarily because she wants to protect the very people she serves.  The other is written by a citizen who was viciously assaulted by an aggressive solicitor last December; he's opposed to part of my plan.  There perspectives could not be more different.  Read them both, then decide which is closer to your opinion.  Let me know what you think.

Safe Streets for Everyone, Strong Economy, More Jobs

My five proposals related to street disorder have certainly contributed to a robust dialog around best practices, civil liberties and such.  Some deny we have a street disorder problem.  Others wish the proposals went further to include a total ban on panhandling in some areas.  A few have engaged in name calling or questioned motives.  There has been some very thoughtful and productive analysis, too.  This piece, this one and this one at Crosscut.com have been especially helpful, as well as this post at Publicola.net. 

I've continued to meet with a wide variety of opponents and proponents, especially related to the aggressive solicitation ordinance I've proposed.  I guess the good news is that no one has objected at all to the other four elements of my proposal: more police officers on foot patrols

Street Disorder: Nearing A Dangerous Tipping Point

“I want our downtown to be economically strong and safe for everyone. That’s important to our nearly 1,000 formerly homeless Plymouth residents living downtown. Councilmember Burgess’ proposals fairly balance a police response with a social services response to enhance safety downtown. We at Plymouth Housing Group welcome these ideas.” 

Paul Lambros
Executive Director, Plymouth Housing

"The nightlife and music industry want more police officers on our streets. We want aggressive solicitation stopped. Our customers and neighbors need to feel safe on our sidewalks as they enjoy our vibrant nightlife. These proposals are certainly a step in the right direction."

Mike Meckling
President, Seattle Music and Nightlife Association

“Pioneer Square business owners and residents are very concerned about street crime and disorder. This part of downtown is teetering on the edge and the City should be forceful in its efforts to make our streets safer for everyone."

Lisa Dixon
Program Director, Pioneer Square Community Association

The most serious felony crimes increased 22% in 2009 in our downtown—stretching from South Lake Union to Pioneer Square—compared to 2008.  It was the second consecutive year of significant increases in reported Part I crime in this important area of our city. To many observers, including business owners, community leaders, social services providers, and residents, we are approaching a dangerous tipping point where perceptions of crime and unsafe conditions could lead to long-term negative consequences.

Today, I unveiled my "continuum of response" designed to address this rising crime rate and . . . (continue below jump for more, including various documents supporting this initiative.)

Why Downtown Matters

Jon Talton over at The Seattle Times presents a clear case for why paying attention to our downtown is key to our economic recovery.  Talton's "live, work and play" environment is exactly right and something city leaders should be focused on with a keen, razor sharp intensity.

Building Community

I had an interesting experience last week when I brought together two very distinct, focused and important groups in our community: downtown business leaders and representatives of the music and nightlife industry that is thriving in Seattle.  It was a long overdue and hopefully continuing conversation. 

Read all about it here at Publicola. 

More Help for Neighborhoods

The City Council unanimously adopted a new city ordinance this afternoon that will allow for abandoned and problematic single family homes to be demolished faster than current city law allows.  Some of these abandoned homes become magnets for crime and neighborhood disorder. Coupled with a new Chronic Nuisance Property ordinance adopted by the Council last week, this new ordinance is another helpful tool to improve public safety in our neighborhoods. 

Facts on Seattle Social Services

There's been a lot of talk recently about how Seattle responds to homelessness and other social service challenges.  My open discussion about street disorder tied to aggressive panhandling has created quite a bit of response, including this thoughtful piece at Crosscut.com today.  Comments received by my office are running nearly 3:1 in favor of some limited restrictions on panhandling as a means of reducing street