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Dear friends and neighbors,
As we enter the second half of the year, I want to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve accomplished together in the past six months. The first half of 2025 has been defined by meaningful investments in our communities, bold action to protect our Seattle values, and steady progress toward building a safer, affordable, and welcoming Seattle.
In the first few months of 2025 alone, we’ve hired more than 60 new officers – outpacing hiring over the same period in each of the past three years. Each of those months also saw reductions in crime: violent crime is down 13% and homicides are down 41%. This builds on the foundation laid since I took office, with overall reported crime down 7% citywide from 2022 to 2024. Alongside this, we’ve expanded our CARE responders citywide — ensuring trained specialists can respond to behavioral health crises and free up police for emergency calls.
We’ve continued our historic investments in needed affordable housing, including We are working every day to create and preserve homes that will serve generations of Seattle residents. We’ve continued to invest in youth and families by expanding mental health services for young people and launching the and proposal to renew the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy, which would double access to quality, affordable childcare. Supporting young people and families is one of the most important investments we can make in Seattle’s future.
At the same time, we’ve taken clear and urgent action to defend Seattle’s values from growing threats at the federal level. As the Trump administration focuses on harmful rhetoric and regressive policies, we’ve acted proactively to protect our people and uphold our local priorities. We advanced legislation to strengthen protections for those seeking gender-affirming and reproductive health care, reaffirmed our support for immigrant and refugee communities, and advanced an effort to support our residents and small businesses by rewriting our tax code to exempt 90% of Seattle businesses that currently pay the Business & Occupation (B&O) tax — while at the same time raising new progressive revenue to safeguard essential city services from federal rollbacks.
These milestones are important indicators of the work we are doing to move Seattle forward — grounded in shared values and collective action. Let’s keep building One Seattle, together.
Onward,
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Bruce A. Harrell
Mayor of Seattle
Working Together to Build One Seattle
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  This month has included multiple announcements driven by Mayor Harrell and his administration to build a safe, affordable, and welcoming city. Announcements include:
- Mayor Bruce Harrell committed $20 million to the Seattle Housing Authority’s Northgate Commons redevelopment project, further strengthening the City’s efforts to make Seattle more affordable for everyone who calls it home.
- Joined by King County Executive Shannon Braddock and transportation leaders, Mayor Bruce Harrell signed new legislation that will streamline the permitting process for Sound Transit expansion to Ballard and West Seattle
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New legislation aimed at curbing predatory homebuying practices and strengthening consumer protections for homeowners was introduced as a result of Mayor Bruce Harrell’s Executive Order issued earlier this year. The proposal advances the City’s efforts to prevent displacement and keep communities in place.
- Initial public safety successes from Seattle’s Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) were announced by Mayor Harrell and Police Chief Shon Barnes, highlighting the center’s impact on crime analysis and investigations.
- The City of Seattle is proud to announce that it has been honored with the prestigious All-America City Award by the National Civic League. This recognition celebrates Seattle’s work to actively engage residents in the pursuit of environmental goals.
- Mayor Bruce Harrell announced that the City has filed for federal court approval of the Seattle Police Department’s (SPD) revised crowd management policies and is seeking termination of the consent decree. The City has taken significant steps to improve police policies, training, and accountability since the federal consent decree started in 2012, and this filing asks the Court to conclude the process.
 Thank you to everyone who participated in the 4th Annual One Seattle Day of Service! Thousands of neighbors came together in neighborhoods across the city to help our community, partnering with over 85 businesses, nonprofits, and community groups – showcasing our values of service, collaboration, and compassion.
From cleaning up Hoa Mai Park with CID Ambassadors and Park Rangers to packing back-to-school bags at the YWCA and lending a hand at the Ballard Seafood Fest, your contributions left a lasting impact on our neighborhoods. Together, we are building a stronger, safer, and more vibrant Seattle!
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 Mayor Harrell joined the Seattle Center Naturalization Ceremony, welcoming 501 new U.S. citizens. When it comes to citizenship, Seattle takes a different path: one rooted in our values of inclusion, equity, and opportunity for all. Read an op-ed from the mayor about why this celebration is more important than ever here.
 Mayor Harrell joined Seattle Department of Transportation and King County Metro to celebrate the expansion of 24/7 bus lanes on Aurora Ave N, improving transit from downtown Seattle to N 145th St.
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 Mayor Harrell and City Attorney Ann Davison announced a new legal challenge to the Trump Administration’s sweeping Executive Orders that are threatening access to federal funds.
 Mayor Harrell joined the Summer Food Celebration at Pratt Park, bringing community fun and free healthy meals for kids and families! Through the Seattle Food Service Program, over 40 sites are now offering free nutritious meals to kids and teens through August 22 to ensure no child goes hungry.
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 Mayor Harrell swore in Chief Shon Barnes as Seattle’s Chief of Police at the Northwest African American Museum, recognizing his leadership, empathy, and innovative vision to help build a police department that prioritizes public safety and community trust.
 Mayor Harrell and First Lady joined the Chinatown Seafair Parade, celebrating culture, history, and pride with iconic performances, including the 100-foot dragon and traditional dances.
 Mayor Harrell and First Lady joined neighbors at the Seafair Torchlight Parade, a cherished Seattle tradition celebrating our city’s vibrant spirit and diverse community.
 Mayor Harrell visited Rising Star Elementary to see Seattle’s largest academic summer program. This partnership between Seattle Public Schools and School Connect WA supports over 100 BIPOC students with focused literacy and math interventions. Go Firebirds!
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 Mayor Harrell, City departments and other community and civic leaders celebrated the completion of a beautiful new Pier 58 — the final major project for Waterfront Park’s 20-acre transformation and announced that a citywide celebration marking the completion of the full Waterfront Park campus — will take place on September 6, 2025.
 Mayor Harrell visited Lake City and Tent City 4 to hear directly from residents and community members, fostering dialogue to create safer, stronger neighborhoods.
 Mayor Harrell joined the Oath of Office Ceremony for City Budget Office Director Dan Eder, celebrating a new member of his One Seattle team with staff.
 Mayor Harrell met with the new Professional Women's Hockey League team members in Seattle! We’re excited to support women’s professional hockey and continue our tradition of championship-caliber teams.
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The City of Seattle is hosting a series of Creating a Safer Seattle Community Forums — a chance for residents to hear directly from City leaders and provide input on how we can make our neighborhoods safer and healthier. These forums will include updates on the One Seattle Safety Framework, community-based strategies for addressing crime and public health, and remarks from Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes and other City departments.
Upcoming forums:
- Thursday, August 7 at the Garfield Community Center, from 6 - 7:30 PM. RSVP here
- Thursday, August 14 at the Delridge Community Center, from 6 - 7:30 PM. RSVP here
- Thursday, August 21 at the Green Lake Community Center, from 6 - 7:30 PM. RSVP here
- Thursday, August 28 at the Meadowbrook Community Center, from 6 - 7:30 PM. RSVP here
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Stay connected with all of the latest news from Mayor Harrell's office on social media.
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