Also in this issue: $2.1 million for food innovation in Rainier, Seattle Transportation Benefit District proposals, and more



Durkan Digest Standard Header



In recent weeks, Chief Best and I have taken a hard look at the Seattle Police Departments budget and made a series of changes to policing. We believe we can build a new model for community safety in Seattle by reimagining our approach to policing and investing deeply in community.

You can read about my vision and actions so far here [ [link removed] ]. One of my early commitments was rethinking the police budget. Three weeks ago, Chief Carmen Best and I began the work of reviewing SPDs budget. Today, we outlined our early actions to transform and make significant changes to the police department as part of the 2021 budget that I will propose in September. We both recognize that we have a historical opportunity and an obligation to reimagine how policing can be done in Seattle.

The Chief and I had long recognized the need for alternative responses to policing. Its why we created alternative programs like Health One, which sends a social worker and firefighter to non-emergency 9-1-1 calls instead of an armed officer.We have relaunched the Community Service Officer program, adding 20 civilian officers to work with community things like youth safety and non-emergency calls. We also added mental health professionals to support SPDs Crisis Response Unit and dedicated nurses at our largest homeless shelters that have the highest 9-1-1 call volumes.

Chief Best and I are committed to this transformation, and today we shared our approach for how we can make substantive cuts to SPDs budget without having an impact on public safety. We have heard calls to defund SPD, and we want to acknowledge them. But a blunt and arbitrary cut without an alternate plan has the potential to decimate our Citys ability to respond to emergencies and leave communities with no other alternative. In the last few days, seven out of nine City councilmembers committed to defunding SPD by 50 percent in 2020.

This is simply not responsible. You cannot govern by Twitter or bumper sticker.A new approach to community safety requires deep community engagement, thoughtful analysis, and a plan.

So here is what Chief Best and I are proposing:

As a first step, in the 2021 budget we will be moving some SPD civilian functions out of the department. We will assess if the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and the 911 call center should remain as standalone departments, be located in other departments, or be combined with a future organization focused on public health and harm reduction responses. These transfers will result in a $55.7 million reduction to the SPD budget in 2021:


* The Seattle Police Department 911 Call Center, which is already staffed primarily by civilians, will be transferred out of the department. The Call Center currently takes 911 calls for both SPD and the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) and is composed of 140 civilian employees and 12 sworn officers;
* The civilian parking enforcement division will be transferred out of SPD and moved into the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT);
* The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) which prepares for, responds to, and staffs the Citys Emergency Operations Center when a major event occurs will be transferred out of the police department; and,
* The Office of Police Accountability (OPA) will be transferred out of SPD. The OPA was already an independent office, but its budget was housed in SPD.

After an initial analysis over the last three weeks, the Chief and I are proposing $20.5 million in cuts from the 2021 SPD budget. This is primarily through not expanding sworn officers in the force next year and freezing civilian staff vacancies. The Chief will ensure appropriate staff levels to keep a 24/7 response across all precincts and shifts.

Next, Chief Best and I have also started a data driven analysis to drive more change - both in my upcoming budget proposal and into next year. Not only are we evaluating every current role at SPD, but as we evaluate what specific functions that a sworn officer or civilian at SPD may no longer do, we also have to ensure were building the community response for the needs that to be addressed. We may need to expand current government programs like Health One or SPDs civilian Community Service Officers. Or we may need to create or expand community-based organizations and public health responses.

In the coming weeks and months, Chief Best and I are evaluating:


* Functions of current work at SPD shifted to a public health or harm reduction models;
* All specialized functions at SPD to determine what should be civilianized, transferred out of SPD, maintained, right-sized, or eliminated;
* 800,000 calls from the community to 911 and dispatches to 400,000 unique events to determine if new emergency responses are necessary;
* Appropriate staffing models to provide sufficient 24/7 services across the city;
* Booking and arrests data to determine if citations are more appropriate response;
* Transitioning low priority calls to online reporting;
* Expected 2021 retirements and attrition to better determine staffing models;
* SPDs response to other agencies, including King County Metro and Seattle Public Schools, unless there is a scene of violence, a serious assault, or a substantial theft or property destruction;
* Optimization of SPDs fleet, facilities, and information technology projects to be consistent with the new approach to public safety; and
* Current overtime practices, including necessary staffing throughout the year required to maintain public safety and the presence of SPD at reimbursable special events and sporting events.

All of these potential areas for transformation are deeply complex, and we must approach each problem to ensure we make actual, lasting change. I believe budget follows values and form. Once you have developed that new model of policing, and a new model for other health based solutions then you build the budget.

You can watch the full press conference on Seattle Channel. [ [link removed] ] As always, please continue to write me at [email protected], reach out via Twitter [ [link removed] ] and Facebook [ [link removed] ], and stay up-to-date on the work were doing for the people of Seattle on my blog. [ [link removed] ]

Stay Safe and Healthy,

Mayor Jenny Durkan's SignatureSpacer
As COVID-19 Cases Rise in King County, Please Stay on Alert

For the past several months, our region has been facing several crises unlike anything we have ever seen before. As our City works to respond to continued calls to reimagine policing and public safety, dismantle institutional racism, and invest in true community health and opportunity, we must remember that we are still in the middle of an unprecedented global public health crisis. Over the past few weeks, King County and Seattle have seen a skyrocketing number of COVID-19 cases, led primarily by cases among younger adults [ [link removed] ].

We must all recommit to the recommendations issued by King County Public Health and the Washington Department of Health to help slow down this virus and limit its spread among our most vulnerable communities. That means wearing face coverings when out in public, continuing to avoid close contact and crowded settings, and continuing to stay at home if you have underlying health conditions [ [link removed] ] or are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.

Our testing sites are now testing thousands of individuals each day, and have tested nearly 40,000 people since opening in June. [ [link removed] ] Testing at these City of Seattle sites is free, so if are concerned that you might have COVID-19, or are experiencing symptoms, please visit [link removed] [ [link removed] ] to get tested. Without a vaccine, our behavior and testing are the most important factors to limiting COVID spread and moving into new phases of the Governors reopening strategy.

As the weather gets nicer, please dont forget that wearing a cloth face covering is part of our new normal. Its up to all of us to protect the health and safety of our communities. In addition to a Local Health Officer Directive [ [link removed] ], Governor Inslee has now also issued a statewide requirement [ [link removed] ] for face coverings in public spaces.

Chart showing COVID transmission rates when using masks v. not using masksSpacer
City of Seattle Provides $2.1 Million to Rainier Beach Action Coalition to Purchase Land for Food Innovation Center

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan today announced that the City will provide $2.1 million to buy land for the future home of theFood Innovation Center [ [link removed] ]in Rainier Beach, a project of the not-for-profit community organizationRainier Beach Action Coalition [ [link removed] ](RBAC). Funding was made available through SeattlesEquitable Development Initiative(EDI).

RBACs Food Innovation Center is intended to create jobs and build on the many food cultures of Rainier Beach. The Center will support economic opportunity through new small food businesses, as well as education and workforce development for Seattle residents. The concept includes classrooms and teaching kitchens, an entrepreneurship center, a marketplace, food production facility, and community services. Plans for the site also include critically needed affordable housing.

Read more [ [link removed] ]

Spacer
Mayor Durkan Announces Six-Year Seattle Transportation Benefit District Proposal to Aid in Equitable COVID-19 Recovery

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan todaytransmitted legislation [ [link removed] ]for a Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD) proposal to generate between $20 and $30 million annually for transit over the next six years. If approved by the City Council, the STBD would go before Seattle voters this November, and would support access to frequentand reliabletransit service after current funding sources expire at the end of 2020.The STBD proposal ensures the critical elements and bus routes of Seattles transit network are maintained, equitable access to transit continues to be prioritized, and allows the City to scale up service as Seattles transit ridership recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more [ [link removed] ]

Spacer
Reminder: Please Take Care and Exercise Caution When Shopping At Neighborhood Farmers Markets

With continued cases in our community, Seattle and our region are facing a new normal of physical distancing and new public health requirements at our parks and businesses to slow the spread of COVID-19. We know these measures are hard on our community and have real economic consequences for the most vulnerable and low-income workers.

The City and farmers markets deployed three key strategies to ensure physical distancing at farmers markets:


* *Quick Transactions:*Farmers markets are normally a community hub and gathering place. Unfortunately, during the COVID-19 pandemic customers and vendors must keep transactions short, both to avoid prolonged contact between individuals and ensure more shoppers can pass through the market.
* *Pre-Package Pick Up:*Many vendors allowed customers to place their orders beforehand, meaning that customers could arrive, quickly get their produce, and leave. This prevented longer wait times and gathering.
* *Customer-Vendor Limits:*Each vendor can only serve two customers at a time. We found that anything beyond that limit caused too much gathering and jeopardized physical distancing requirements.
Spacer [ [link removed] ]
Live or Work in West Seattle? Take SDOTs Reconnect West Seattle Community Engagement Survey!

The unexpected closure of the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge dramatically impacted West Seattle and the nearby Duwamish Valley communities. Today the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is launching Reconnect West Seattle [ [link removed] ] and your voice is needed. Your participation will help SDOT prioritize the right improvements in a highly resource constrained environment due to COVID-19 impacts.

If you live or work in West Seattle, please take the Reconnect West Seattle Survey [ [link removed] ] by July 31st.

This survey is your chance to let SDOT and their partners know what you need to move on and off the West Seattle peninsula at similar rates to before the High-Rise Bridge closure, but with a significant reduction in travel lanes.

Additionally, if you live or work in one of the following neighborhoods, please fill out your Neighborhood Prioritization Process Ballot by July 31.

South West Seattle: Roxhill, Highland Park, Riverview, & South Delridge [ [link removed] ]

SODO [ [link removed] ] Georgetown [ [link removed] ] South Park [ [link removed] ]

The Neighborhood Prioritization Process Ballots enables your neighborhood to prioritize which projects you feel, as a community, will best address the impacts of the High-Bridge closure.

Spacer




*Seattle Office of the Mayor*

600 4th Avenue

4th Floor

Seattle, WA 98104

*Phone: 206-684-4000*

facebook [ [link removed] ]twitter [ [link removed] ]front porch [ [link removed] ] [ [link removed] ] [ [link removed] ] [ [link removed] ] seattle dot gov

Manage Preferences [ [link removed] ] | Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ] | Contact Us [ [link removed] ] | Help [ [link removed] ]| Privacy [ [link removed] ]




________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: City of Seattle 707 17th St, Suite 4000 Denver, CO 80202 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]