Public Safety and Human Services Committee / Before the Badge Community-Police Dialogues / Seattle Parks & Recreation Needs Your Ideas! / Vision Zero Top-to-Bottom Review and Survey / Pothole Reporting / Arts & Culture Recovery Grants Available / Funds Available to Increase Safety for Immigrants and Refugees



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Public Safety and Human Services Committee: February 28

In our last Public Safety and Human Services Committee meeting, our discussion about the SPD 2022 Crime Report took most of our committee time. The Human Services Department’s (HSD) presentation on their 2023 Notice of Funding Availability, originally on the last PSHS Committee agenda, has been rescheduled to this coming Tuesday’s committee meeting. I look forward to learning more about HSD’s 2023 investments in addressing community needs.

We will also get an update at the upcoming PSHS committee on one of the elements necessary to the development of a dual dispatch 911 alternative response, last discussed in the September PSHS and funded in the 2023-2024 City of Seattle Budget. The Community Safety and Communications Center (CSCC) staff will share an update on their new dispatch protocol system that will serve as a foundation that is necessary to the development of this pilot.

The Council budget added $717,000 for 2024 to support CSCC implementation of dual dispatch of officers and civilian staff to augment current response to calls with a mental/behavioral health nexus. This investment is in addition to $1.9 million already reserved for the same purpose.

As a reminder to the reader, though we are referring to this pilot as a “dual dispatch” response, SPD understands that dual dispatch does not mean that officers will be needed at the scene.  From a recent SPD report to Council: “the response ecosystem (e.g., police and fire) would be aware an alternate response was in progress and may stage nearby, able to rapidly intervene, but would not be in attendance.”

I hope to have more to report on the development of the pilot – beyond the progress made at the CSCC – soon.  Community safety and police reform advocates have been calling for this program since the summer of 2020.  A recent response to the Mayor’s State of the City from the Seattle Times added to the voices calling for this program: “On public safety, it was the same refrain: We need to recruit more cops, enforce the laws and create alternatives to traditional police [my emphasis added]. The editorial board agrees with the priorities. It’s the execution that’s lacking.”  The Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce also called for more action in implementing this important element of our public safety plan, “Specifically on public safety, we look forward to seeing the concrete actions laid out and implemented – officer recruitment and retention, hiring the right number of officers, and standing up alternatives [my emphasis added].”

Note:  I am working with SPD on a briefing on hiring, recruitment, and retention for PSHS Committee next month.

Before the Badge Community-Police Dialogues

SPD will be hosting a series of community dialogues with new police recruits as part of their Before Badge (BTB) Program. BTB is SPD’s first-of-its-kind training program focusing on interpersonal relationships and wellness before law enforcement tactics. SPD’s new recruits complete this program before moving on to their mandatory Basic Law enforcement Academy training.

I’m proud to have sponsored the initial funding to build this program, which immerses recruits in community-based and peer-based experiences to develop a lens through which to receive their future law enforcement training and establishes a community-centered foundation for their careers with Seattle Police Department.

The first of the Southwest Seattle conversations will take place on Monday, March 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM via Zoom. There will be host events for other parts of Seattle as well:

Winter/Spring 2023

  • Monday February 27 – SOUTH
  • Monday March 13-WEST
  • Wednesday March 22-EAST
  • Monday March 27-NORTH
  • Monday April 3-SOUTH
  • Monday April 10-SOUTHWEST
  • Monday April 24-WEST
  • Monday May 1-NORTH
  • Monday May 8-EAST

You can sign up to participate in the dialogues, meet the new SPD recruits, and share your insights as a community member by going to this website.

 

Seattle Parks & Recreation Needs Your Ideas!

Reimagine Recreation in Seattle: Seattle Parks and Recreation is asking for feedback to improve community experience with recreation facilities including community centers, teen centers, pools, school-based learning centers, environmental learning centers, and boating and sailing centers. Learn more about how this information will be used and take the survey.

Be Part of Shaping the 2024 Parks and Open Space Plan: Seattle Parks and Recreation invites the community to participate in the process of updating the Parks and Open Space Plan to maintain the City’s eligibility for state-administered grants. Get more information about the Plan and learn how you can get involved.

Vision Zero Top-to-Bottom Review and Survey

SDOT has announced the release of a “Top-to-Bottom” review of the Vision Zero program.

Here’s a link to the report, and to the overview. SDOT is seeking public comment on the report, which you can share using this online form.

Traffic fatalities in Seattle have increased in 2020, 2021 and 2022, as shown in the chart below:

The report includes the following Key Recommendations (greater detail is available in the report):

  • Incorporate Vision Zero and Safe Systems approaches into every project and program
  • Adopt clearer and stronger guidance for facility design
  • Clarify and streamline internal decision pathways
  • Be willing to reduce vehicle travel speeds and convenience to improve safety
  • Implement iterative, ongoing improvements to our infrastructure
  • Accelerate planning for broader or systemwide implementation of proven interventions
  • Secure funding to incorporate Vision Zero improvements in all projects and for asset
    maintenance
  • Complete racial equity analysis of automated enforcement. Address inequities and where
    appropriate, use automated enforcement as a tool
  • Shift culture and strengthen support for Vision Zero throughout SDOT
  • Strengthen and resource SDOT’s Vision Zero core and matrix teams
  • Improve SDOT’s customer service response process
  • Be champions for Vision Zero as we engage with WSDOT, the Port of Seattle, transit partners,
    the legislature, and other organizations

The chart below shows serious traffic injuries and deaths have occurred across the City:

In late January the City received an award of a $25.6 million Safe Streets and Roads for All grant for safety enhancements.  I know all too well that, as the map shows above, District 1 has some serious hotspots. An announcement by Councilmember Morales in response to the report highlights that the harm has been greatest in District 2 where, in 2021, 56% of all Seattle pedestrian and bicyclist deaths happened in District 2.

Pothole Reporting

Winter weather brings an increase in potholes on Seattle’s streets. This winter is no exception. Rain, snow and ice all damage streets as water seeps through cracks in pavement. With lower temperatures, the water freezes and as ice expands, which can force cracks apart. As vehicles travel over damaged pavement, the stress on streets can lead to potholes.

SDOT reports they filled 23,000 potholes during 2022, the highest number during the last five years, and 50% more than 2021.

As of last week, 5,500 had been filled this year, with as many as 500 in a single day.

Here is where you can report a pothole online. You can track where potholes have been reported and filled on SDOT’s Pothole Repair Status page, and see pending work requests, and a display of potholes filled in the last 90 days.

SDOT’s goal is to fill potholes within 72 hours of receiving a report, but it takes longer during winter storms with the higher number of potholes.

Arts & Culture Recovery Grants Available – Apply by 2/27

The West Seattle Junction Association has announced a one-time Request-For-Proposal for arts and culture recovery funding for the West Seattle Junction. These funds have been available through the City of Seattle Office of Arts and Culture (ARTS).

The funding available through this RFP is for activations or events specifically in the West Seattle Junction.  Requests cannot exceed $20,000.  You may apply here, or via the WSJA website. To receive an application by e-mail or US Mail, send your contact info to jill@wsjunction.org.

Applications will be due no later than 5:00pm, February 27, 2023.

Funds Available to Increase Safety for Immigrants and Refugees – Apply By 3/9

The City of Seattle and King County want to partner with community-based organizations and trusted community messengers to invest in targeted and coordinated responses to youth and families that are disproportionally impacted by violence and criminal legal systems. This funding will be awarded to interventions and activities that help young people and their families know their rights, navigate victim support services, understand law enforcement systems, and ensure that communications in languages other than English are available throughout criminal-legal processes.

Learn more and apply here by 3/9: Immigrant Safety & Access Network (ISAN) Request for Proposals (RFP) (seattle.gov)

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Posted: February 24th, 2023 under Arts, Councilmember Herbold, Parks and Recreation, Police Department, Transportation
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