This morning in its briefing to the City Council, Seattle Police Department COO Brian Mazey did its best to discredit its own “Berkshire report” study of staffing requirements at SPD.
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A deeper look at the Berkshire report on police staffing
Last Friday afternoon the Seattle Police Department released the final version of the long-awaited “Berkshire report” on police staffing. It’s 136 pages, stuffed with tables of data — most of which is uninteresting. But with some digging there are nuggets of insight to be found.
Continue readingThis week: Larry Weis finale, and lots of committee work
The final confirmation vote on the nomination of Larry Weis comes up tomorrow at the full Council meeting. Plus, in committees this week: safe injection sites, secure scheduling, prescription drug disposal, police department staffing, and new regulations for tour and excursion vehicles.
Continue readingNews roundup: homelessness, police reform, and much more
Discussion of the homelessness crisis in Seattle and what to do about “The Jungle” encampment, as well as police reform in the aftermath of the Che Taylor shooting, top the news this morning. But lots more too…
Continue readingCouncil gets briefed on The Jungle: we’re going to need a bigger table
This morning the City Council got a briefing on the recent assessment of the East Duwamish Greenbelt homeless encampment, better known as “The Jungle.” You can read the assessment team’s written report here, or my summary here. The factual part of this morning’s briefing didn’t relay much information beyond what was in the report, instead the council members were eager to discuss an appropriate response.
Continue readingThe Jungle
Many of us heard about the Seattle homeless encampment known as “The Jungle” for the first time late last month when a double homicide occurred there. That same night, Mayor Ed Murray, King County Executive Dow Constantine, and Governor Jay Inslee agreed to a joint assessment of the site to gather data on the conditions there and the risks and hazards posed by its ongoing presence. That report is now in, and the City Council will be briefed on it tomorrow morning. And it’s far, far worse than you imagined.
Continue readingNews roundup
The Presidents’ Day holiday has started this week off quietly in the news department, though it’s sure to pick up today.
Continue readingNews roundup: police reform, homelessness, SODO arena
The ongoing debate over police reform tops the news this morning.
Continue readingNews roundup: homelessness
In the run-up to this afternoon’s meeting, the city’s response to the homelessness crisis is dominating the news this morning. Plus a few other tidbits.
Continue reading2016 Work Plan for Gonzalez’s Committee
Last week the proposed 2016 work plan for Council member Gonzalez’s Gender Equity, Safe Communities and New Americans Committee was presented for review.
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