����Xվ Newsradio was on the scene and provided details about what happened throughout the protest.

Union members march on Seattle City Hall to protest arrest of union leader is Los Angeles.

— James L. (@James_����XվRadio)

SEIU protest at Seattle City Hall

“There are several hundred protesters here after marching a few blocks from the SEIU headquarters, chanting ‘No hate, no fear. Immigrants are welcome here,'” ����Xվ Newsradio reporter James Lynch said.

The protesters wanted SEIU president David Huerta released and all charges dropped. The protesters also wanted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to stand down.

According to SEIU member Sylvia Liang, Huerta’s arrest was unjust.

“ICE action against the union leader and workers is another fear tactic by this administration aimed at silencing workers and anyone who dares to speak out against injustice,” Liang told ����Xվ Newsradio.

Another SEIU member, Nikkie Lee, claimed the arrests were an abuse of power by the Trump administration.

“The trump administration has gone way too far. This is an abuse of power that tarnishes our democracy. We demand David Huerta be released,” Lee said.

Liang believed Huerta’s arrest was a scare tactic.

“ICE’s action against a union leader and workers is another fear tactic by this administration aimed at silencing workers and anyone who dares to speak out against injustice,” Liang said.

����Xվ Newsradio noted that he has yet to see a police presence, as the protest has been peaceful as of this reporting.

Huerta’s arrest

Huerta was arrested on Friday and federally charged with felony conspiracy to impede an officer, which carries a maximum penalty of up to six years in federal prison, according to .

Federal agents conducted search warrants at businesses suspected of employing undocumented immigrants, and several protesters, including Huerta, showed up at the site.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Huerta deliberately obstructed law enforcement’s access to the site by blocking vehicles.

“Huerta was confronted by a law enforcement officer who tried to move him out of the way and, when he refused to move, pushed him to the ground and took him into custody, the complaint said,” according to NBC LA.

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Arguments were heard before a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. At issue was a nationwide preliminary injunction issued in February blocking President Donald Trump’s executive order, which sought to change birthright citizenship, enshrined in the 14th Amendment.

The debate was whether to make the preliminary injunction permanent or overturn a lower court’s ruling. The executive order would disqualify those born in this country to illegal immigrants from becoming birthright citizens.

WA AG says Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship is unconstitutional

In court, Washington’s Office of the Attorney General argued the executive order is clearly unconstitutional and the preliminary injunction should be made permanent.

“We’re talking about overturning the fundamental understanding of what it means to be an American in this country, and what it has meant since the 14th Amendment,” Brown said.

Department of Justice lawyers argued birthright citizenship doesn’t apply to undocumented immigrants’ children born here, or those in the country on work or student visas.

“We’re seeing some radical ideas take root at the highest level of government. And so it is more important than ever the attorneys general are standing united to fight against the unlawfulness of this president,” Brown said

There is no word on when a decision will be handed down. The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to rule on procedural questions, and that could affect the timing.

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The feds said 14 suspected drug traffickers were indicted following the 18-month undercover operation dubbed “Operation Jungle Shrike.” Eleven were taken into custody and three others are being sought. SPD said these suspects preyed on the vulnerable, the homeless, the addicted, and the mentally ill in the CID. Their arrest should make the area safer.

“These criminals did the worst kind of damage to our community,” SPD Chief Shon Barnes said. “Armed with guns, including assault rifles.”

At 12th and Jackson, the most troubling intersection in the CID, it was eerily quiet Tuesday morning. Usually a hub for all types of illegal activity—open-air drug sales and use, I saw less than half a dozen people, most waiting for public transportation.

“It’s definitely been cleaner, like, in the morning, but it’s really just dispersed issues around the neighborhood,” CID resident Genevieve MacNeil said.

Chinatown residents skeptical calm will last

MacNeil has lived in the CID for two years. She’s felt fear and avoided certain areas. She sees improvement, but is skeptical it will last.

“I’m sure it helps for like the short term,” MacNeil said. “It’s been nice. But, nighttime is when you’ll see more activity. I mean, it’s a short-term solution.”

The city is hopeful residents will feel safer following the big drug bust and CID Ambassadors on the street daily from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m., keeping an eye out for trouble.

Both steps in the right direction, one man shared.

“During the day, I don’t think about it as much,” CID Resident Shane Lozenich said. “It’s obviously possible to have dangers in the daytime, but in the nightime, I think it would be helpful to have some kind of presence.”

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The operation, dubbed “Operation Jungle Shrike,” began in November 2023 and relied heavily on wiretaps to track suspects’ movements and plans to distribute large quantities of fentanyl powder, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.

“Law enforcement seized 7 kilograms of cocaine, more than 20 lbs of methamphetamine, more than 80,000 suspected deadly fentanyl pills, and more than $350,000 in cash,” Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller said during a press conference Monday.

Drugs seized in “Operation Jungle Shrike” arrests. (Photo courtesy of James Lynch, ����Xվ Newsradio)

Prosecutors said they also seized 4 kilograms of heroin and 19 kilos of fentanyl powder, which is most concerning because it can be mixed with other drugs without anyone’s knowledge, making what one agent called “A deadly cocktail.”

“These criminals did the worst kind of damage to our community,” Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes said during the press conference. “Armed with guns, including assault rifles, issuing deadly threats with seemingly nothing to lose. They preyed on some of our most vulnerable—the homeless, and the drug addicted.”

Previous arrests in ‘Operation Jungle Shrike’

Authorities call this round two of the operation, which saw its first arrests back in January. It is believed this organization transported drugs from Mexico, into California, then Oregon, and here to Seattle. Agents also seized handguns and semi-automatic assault rifles.

Guns seized in “Operation Jungle Shrike” arrests. (Photo courtesy of James Lynch, ����Xվ Newsradio)

“Drugs and guns are evils that go together,” DEA Special Agent in Charge David Reames said during the press conference. “In this case, we targeted offenders who used both to prey on some of our most vulnerable communities. They dealt in death in the form of drugs and guns.”

Three people are still being sought, and agents said the investigation is not over and won’t be until the streets of western Washington are free from drugs and the crime that comes with it.

“We’re working the entire city trying to figure out what we can do to stop this influx of drugs into our city,” Barnes said. “There is a drug market here and that market perpetuates other types of crimes, including shoplifting, shoplifting rings, including social crime and disorder.”

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Police arrested a suspect following a shooting involving seven-year SPD Officer Patrick Satterwhite, who has been placed on administrative leave.

The video released by SPD contains graphic content. To view it, .

Details in Belltown officer-involved shooting

The shooting occurred near 3rd Avenue and Wall Street around 12:20 p.m. Friday, SPD confirmed.

Seattle police are investigating an officer-involved shooting. (Photo: James Lynch, ����Xվ Newsradio)

Bike officers saw a drug deal in progress, and when they approached, a man ran off and police chased after him, SPD Chief Shon Barnes said during a press conference.

The man then allegedly turned and pointed a gun at officers. Officers took cover, and the man kept running.

Police reported that happened twice, before one of the two officers discharged their weapon—firing multiple times. The suspect then dropped his gun and surrendered, according to Barnes.

SPD officer involved shooting in Belltown. No one injured. Suspect in custody near 4th and Wall. ⁦⁩

— James L. (@James_����XվRadio)

Despite multiple shots being fired, no one was injured. The suspect remains in custody.

This story was originally published on May 30, 2025. It has been updated and republished since then.

Contributing: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest

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Video of the bodycam footage from the Pierce County deputies involved can be seen here.

Woman Doused with gasoline at homeless encampment. K-9 track recovered gun and suspect.

— James L. (@James_����XվRadio)

The victim was living in a camp near the 19600 block of Canyon Road E. When deputies arrived, they found her and her dogs covered in gasoline. She claimed her boyfriend did it, in addition to pointing a sawed-off shotgun at her.

“Once deputies found the victim, they knew they had to locate the boyfriend since he was armed and dangerous,” Carly Cappetto, the public information officer with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, said. “K9 Clark and his handler were called to the scene to begin the search for the suspect. The K9 track continued for over 30 minutes through thick woods and rough terrain.”

K9 Clark was able to locate the sawed-off shotgun amongst some shrubbery during their search for the suspect. K9 Clark and a team of deputies then found the 53-year-old suspect hiding in a small body of water.

The suspect was booked into the Pierce County Jail for first-degree assault, felony harassment, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

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Jose Perez-Baldovino, 35, was the subject of an investigation dating back to 2023.

Casey McNerthney, Director of Communications at the , said Perez-Baldovino had 63 pounds of suspected fentanyl when he was arrested last month.

“That would be enough to kill every resident in King County,” McNerthney said. “That has the potential to really affect communities—not only kill people, but really change the way people perceive a community when you have that volume of drugs in King County.”

McNerthney said Perez-Baldovino also had cocaine, meth, and heroin when he was busted.

He is now facing multiple drug charges and is expected to be arraigned next month.

It is legal to purchase and own a suppressor, which reduces the sound of gunfire. But, for nearly 100 years, since the days of Chicago gangster Al Capone, suppressors have been heavily regulated by the National Firearms Act of 1934. Owning one requires a $200 suppressor tax, additional paperwork, and a background check far beyond what is required to purchase a handgun. If the”big, beautiful bill” becomes law, the $200 tax stamp requirement would be eliminated.

Democrats say it will negatively impact public safety, but Republicans and the National Rifle Association, which supports the measure, call it hearing protection legislation.

“This is about making sure that people keep their hearing, at the end of the day,” Missouri Republican Representative Eric Burlison told .

The bill still has to pass the Senate, and its chances there are unclear at the moment.

“It will make it harder for potential victims of a mass shooting to know where the shots are coming from, as they try to run for cover,” Democrat Representative Mike Thompson said in an interview with Reuters.

Retired King County Sheriff: Gun suppressors are ‘one more thing that can get stolen’

Retired King County Sheriff John Urquhart said the legislation will only cause harm.

“It’s one more thing that can get stolen,” he said. “It’s going to end up on the street and make the police and the citizens, therefore, less safe. Every so-called street gun was not sold to the person using it, teenagers, especially. These are all stolen guns. Now we’re going to have stolen silencers, or suppressors.”

Urquhart also noted Shotspotter technology, which uses sensors to detect, locate, and alert police to gunfire incidents, would be less effective.

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“The victim stated that he was outside looking for his dog and he was stabbed in the neck by an unknown person,” Seattle Police Department (SPD) Detective Brian Pritchard said. “Officers set up containment with King County’s K9 Unit, but they didn’t find anyone.”

Police: Witness’s story conflicts with that of man stabbed in West Seattle

The victim was transported to the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. Later, police learned the man’s girlfriend was a witness. They found and questioned her, and police found discrepancies.

“She told conflicting stories from what the victim told. So, officers don’t have a description, don’t know who to look for as far as the suspect,” Pritchard said.

The Homicide/Assault Unit is handling the case. If you saw the attack or know what happened and who is responsible, call SPD or 911.

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“Nothing of evidentiary value, on any case,” Tacoma Police Department (TPD) spokesperson Shelbie Boyd said, “Not on any of the 147-cold-cases and 20 missing persons. That is the thing about these cases. They get tips. They get information. They run them down. Some end in a successful apprehension, and some end like today.”

It’s been 26 years since Lewis disappeared from a family outing at a local bowling alley in January 1999. Investigators said it was a tip that led them to the backyard, at the corner of South Gunnison Street and South Wright Avenue, and that they had been working the tip for about two months. However, they still won’t say where the tip came.

Crews with Tacoma Emergency Management were seen digging in the backyard of a home. (Photo: @PhotogSteve81)

Neighbors gathered daily at the site of the search. They know all too well the tragedy of Lewis’ disappearance, and they were hoping for the best possible outcome for her mom, Theresa Czapiewski.

“I feel bad for her mom,” neighbor Milo Moawad said Tuesday. “I couldn’t imagine. I have kids. Not knowing where your 2-year-old has been for 26 years…that’s heartbreaking.”

However, Czapiewski is not giving up.

“It’s a lot to deal with,” she said. “And not knowing is the biggest thing. Not knowing what happened to Teekah or where she is. I will be talking to the chief on what’s next because this is not over. I’m going to make sure we have answers, regardless if it’s good news or bad news.”

TPD said it will continue to work on other leads in Lewis’ case. It also hopes media coverage will lead to even more tips, which the department said it will aggressively pursue. Meanwhile, Czapiewski is holding out hope.

“Everyone knows my daughter comes first in this world,” she said. “I’m her voice right now, and I’m going to do everything I can to stay on top of her case.”

Officers follow lead in Teekah Lewis cold case

The Tacoma Police Department (TPD) dug for multiple days, starting Monday. However, neighbors told ����Xվ Newsradio they had seen teams, including the FBI, in the home’s backyard since the beginning of this month.

“Officers and detectives worked into the night,” Shelbie Boyd with TPD said Tuesday. “They went home, got some rest, came back this morning. So, yeah, it’s a tip in a cold case. Someone died.”

The scene as authorities investigate at a Tacoma home. (Photo: James Lynch, ����Xվ Newsradio)

Law enforcement was initially being very tight-lipped—including to Lewis’ mother, Theresa Cziapiewski.

“I knew when I talked to her last time, she said she was working on something, but she wouldn’t tell me,” Cziapiewski said.

Neighbor Milo Moawad was hopeful Cziapiewski would get the answers she needed.

“I just hope her mom can get closure,” Moawad said. “I heard she was out here all night.”

A mobile command center was set up just outside the home they were investigating.

“We have family members out there,” Boyd told ����Xվ Newsradio. “We have friends that want closure. And so of the 147-cold-cases in the city of Tacoma, this is one, and we’re going to investigate it like we investigate every lead.”

The scene as authorities investigate at a Tacoma home. (Photo: James Lynch, ����Xվ Newsradio)

The cold case of Teekah Lewis

Lewis’ case is one of the most notorious cold cases in Tacoma. It has been assumed she was abducted from the New Frontier Bowling Alley in Tacoma.

“It was sad at the time that nobody knew where she was, and now this, in our own neighborhood,” neighbor Stephanie said.

Ironically, the property where the search was ongoing was owned by a family with the surname Lewis.

“I guess I do hope that it is her, in a way, so we do have that closure as a community and for the family, but no matter who it is very sad,” neighbor Stephanie McCleary said.

This story was originally published on May 19, 2025. It has been updated and republished since then.

Contributing: ; Julia Dallas and Frank Sumrall, MyNorthwest

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Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell gathered with community leaders, small business owners, and corporations at Hing Hay Park Wednesday to announce continued efforts to make the CID safer, more livable, and healthier for small businesses.

“The most important concept of what we’re trying to do to make sure the Chinatown-International District community is safe, is establish partnerships that have the same vision,” Harrell said.

Harrell and the city of Seattle are partnering with small business owners, the Asian American Foundation (TAAF), the Chinatown-International-District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA), and Amazon to announce a new ambassador program in the CID.

Starting June 1, Harrell explained, on-the-ground teams will serve as safety partners and neighborhood stewards.

“They will help connect people to services,” he added. “They will support visitors and local residents just navigating the district. They’ll build relationships and assistance to business owners. They’ll help foster safer environments through de-escalation and mitigating public health and safety challenges that occur.”

The program is sponsored by Amazon, which chipped in $250,000, along with non-profits and other corporations.

“We really need to make sure that everybody is pulling together,” former Washington Governor Gary Locke said. “Nonprofits can’t do it by itself. The government can’t do it by itself. The police can’t do it by themselves, and so we have the ambassadorship program, pulling all the elements of this community together to make sure it remains vibrant.”

Harrell said safe, bustling streets in the CID filled with visitors and locals will benefit shops, restaurants, residents, and tourists who come here every year.

Chinatown-International District business owners react to safety program

This kind of investment in this community is what CID business owners have been waiting for.

“What is means is that we’re able to have a safer environment for our staff, for our customers, and to kind of enjoy the neighborhood, to work in it, to hang out in it, have a few drinks, walk the streets and not have to worry about my public safety,” CID small business owner Yenvy Pham said.

CID ambassadors will be on the streets seven days a week, from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m.

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The first lawsuit targets the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. The second lawsuit is directed at the Department of Transportation (DOT) and DOT Secretary Sean Duffy.

According to Brown’s office, both agencies have imposed sweeping new conditions that would force states and state agencies to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. If they refuse, they risk losing billions in federal funding used to protect public safety and maintain critical infrastructure.

“The president is once again acting illegally, threatening federal funding cuts without authority,” Brown said. “But the Trump administration cannot retaliate against our state for protecting the rights and dignity of all residents. Our state joined these two lawsuits because the federal funding threats present real and direct harms to our state.”

In 2024 alone, Washington received more than $500 million in DHS funding and over $1.1 billion in federal transportation funding. These funds support a wide range of essential services, including wildfire response, cybersecurity improvements, public safety at major events such as the 2026 World Cup, and earthquake preparedness.

In addition to Washington, the lawsuits are backed by attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

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They rallied in front of Gerberding Hall and have been peacefully protesting the arrest and suspension of UW students involved in this week’s violent protest and building takeover, which caused nearly $1 million in damage.

at the University of Washington following a violent rally. (Photo: James Lynch, ����Xվ Newsradio)

Student James Lopez says that it is not the damage that people should focus on.

“People are facing bombs, bullets, forced starvation, cuts to water and electricity,” he said. “I think that damage is the damage we should be focusing on.”

Demonstrators are demanding that charges against the students be dropped and their suspensions lifted.

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The city saw speeding tickets issued go from 380 in the first quarter of 2024 to 998 during the same period this year.

“The faster your car is going, the longer it takes for you to stop, and it is increasing the risk of danger to the public,” Drew Anderson with the Bellevue Police Department (BPD) said.

Anderson said not only did they see the increase in speeding infractions, but they also heard from residents about the problem.

“After hearing from community members, we decided to take charge and announce a speeding emphasis each weekend this month,” he shared.

Bellevue police warn of dangers of speeding

estimates it takes a vehicle traveling at about 60 mph, 100 yards—the length of a football field from goal line to goal line—to reach a complete stop. The distance increases to about 460 feet if the vehicle speed exceeds 80 mph.

BPD wants the public to know the danger is real. The emphasis patrols are too.

“If you are choosing to speed in our community, drive recklessly, or even use a modified muffler that is creating a lot of noise, we will be holding you accountable,” Anderson said.

Bellevue officers are also asking community members to continue to report speeding, reckless driving, loud modified mufflers, and street racing. Residents can call 911 or Bellevue Police at 425-577-5656. If possible, note the make and model of the car, the color, and the license number.

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Callers reported gunfire near the intersection of North 90th Street and Nesbit Avenue North. When officers arrived, they found a man and a woman with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

“The male had a shot to his foot, and the female had a shot to her right thigh. They (detectives) believe that the shots were actually possibly ricocheted off the ground,” Seattle Police Department (SPD) Detective Brian Prichard said.

However, Pritchard said the couple was not fully cooperative, and police have few details about what happened.

“There were conflicting accounts of what happened from both victims, but we did learn the suspect actually escaped the scene on a Metro Transit on Aurora Avenue,” Prichard said.

Anyone who saw the shooting or has any information about the suspect or suspects is asked to call the Seattle Police Violent Crimes Tipline at 206-233-5000 or 911.

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The Clark County Sheriff’s Office has since opened dual investigations, with one leading to a possible sex crime.

The investigations started on April 24, after a homeowner called 911, reporting an intruder in his home just before 10 p.m.

“There was a physical altercation that took place between the caller and the subject,” Clark County Sheriff’s Sergeant Chris Skidmore said. “Then the subject was able to flee the residence on foot.”

When deputies arrived, they found Gardiner dead in his car. The homeowner identified Gardiner as the intruder.

Police open criminal investigation against Cowlitz Tribe police chief

Further investigation found more evidence against Gardiner that led deputies to open a second investigation.

“There’s the death investigation, which everything indicates was consistent with suicide, but then the sheriff’s office announced that we’re going to open a criminal investigation into several sex offenses believed committed by Gardiner,” Skidmore said.

Investigators said they are speaking with a juvenile victim whose identity they want to keep anonymous.

“We’re trying to be very careful,” Skidmore said. “We have a juvenile victim here involving possible sex offences, and so we want to be very careful to try not to identify the persons.”

Gardiner was a U.S. Army Veteran and spent 25 years with the Washington State Patrol.

“I think that’s surprising for everyone in the community,” Skidmore said. “Certainly, as a law enforcement I’m definitely surprised.”

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The peaceful rally, which centered on the rights of immigrant and federal workers, began at Cal Anderson Park in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Protesters made their way to the federal building on Second Avenue, where they continued to voice their concerns.

Along the route, business owners and passersby stepped outside to show support for the demonstrators.

march stopped at Federal building on 2nd Ave @ Madison…

— Luke Duecy (@Luke����Xվ)

Walk-out at Seattle Central Colleage

More than 100 faculty members, staff, and students held a  at Seattle Central College on Thursday as part of a nationwide May Day “Day of Action.”

Holding signs and chanting, demonstrators said teachers across the system face threats of layoffs and furloughs due to increasingly tight higher education budgets.

“The state has not been investing in higher education for decades,” Helena Romero, a teacher at Seattle Central College, said. “Our allocation models are not equitable. Our taxation models are not equitable, and if we had progressive taxation in this state, we wouldn’t be in this problem.”

Protesters carried signs opposing Donald Trump, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The demonstration remained peaceful.

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says the program will provide an incentive for defendants to connect with services and complete specific steps in order to have their cases dismissed. Those steps include signing an agreement with the City Attorney’s Office, taking a drug use assessment, successfully completing drug tests, and avoiding criminal law violations for sixty days.

“I’m hopeful that this new approach will address the underlying causes of addiction and foster lasting change for those individuals struggling with drug use. Additionally, the goal is to improve public safety,” said Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison.

Curbing drug use is a top priority for city leaders, including officials at the Seattle Police Department, the Mayor’s Office, the City Attorney’s Office, and the City Council. They will work together to make the program a success.

“The drug alternative fills a critical gap in our alternative court system, thoughtfully balancing public safety with a compassionate pathway to recovery for those battling addiction. The fentanyl epidemic and addiction in general are inextricably linked to our public safety and homelessness crisis. I applaud City Attorney Ann Davison and her team for advancing an initiative that will make our city safer and incentivize our most vulnerable residents to get the help they need,” said .

The City Attorney’s Office can proceed with conventional court proceedings if defendants do not meet program requirements.

“We are seeing a continued decrease in gun violence,” King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion said. “In fact, King County has just experienced the safest start to a new year than we’ve had in the last five years.”

Manion explained that from 2019 to 2024, adult felony referrals were down 25%, there was a 7% decrease in the number of auto vehicle theft referrals, a 28% decrease in the number of adult burglary referrals, and a 13% decrease in the number of referrals related to serious assaults and other violent crimes.

In the first quarter of this year, 13 people died from gun violence, 47 others were injured, and 278 gunshots were fired. That’s a 41% decrease from the first quarter of 2024.

“Compared to any other first quarter in the past five years, Q1 of 2025 showed that homicides were down 35%,” Manion said. “Injuries due to firearms was down 36%. We are building a safety net, and we are working together to address this problem in our community. Now, we still have work to do, but the signs are promising.”

King County continues to see youth gun violence issue

However, there is still work to do, particularly when it comes to youth-related gun violence.

“Nearly 12% of shooting victims were age 17 or younger, and we also know that the largest group of gun violence perpetrators are in the 18-24-range. So, definitely gun violence among young people is still a problem,” Manion shared.

Manion also said the reduction in shots fired is a team effort, and law enforcement is hopeful residents feel safer in their neighborhoods.

“We have prosecutors and law enforcement, local government, and community-based non-profits that are all working toward the same goal,” she added. “How do we reduce gun violence? We want our community to know what we’re seeing, and we want people to know that local government and prosecutors, and law enforcement are working together to tackle gun violence so they can feel safer.”

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The City has struggled for the past several years to recruit new officers, but now it appears the tide is turning

“Today we’re here to celebrate progress, a renewed investment in public safety with more officers entering the pipeline and real momentum in rebuilding a stronger, more responsive police force,” said Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson.

So far this year, the city has hired 60-new officers. That compares to 84-hires in all of last year. There are also some 160-recruits in the background stage of the process. Ultimately, the city would like to hire two hundred officers by the end of the year.

“We will get these officers trained, get them through field training, and put them where we need them the most, which is in patrol. Certainly, I believe, that’s the backbone of policing,” Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes said.

Rise in police could help address crime fears

Chief Barnes says getting back to full staff makes our city safer and improves morale within the department. But, Barnes says none of that matters if people in Seattle don’t feel safe

“Public safety is what the people in Seattle want. So as we calibrate and balance our budget, that is a lens by which we will make decisions,” Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said.

Mayor Harrell and Chief Barnes also stressed the need to recruit more woman.

They also report an uptick in officers from other cities and other states who are looking to make a lateral move to Seattle.