The $3 million in cuts defunds several of the city's special units, including its controversial "Navigation Team," which dismantled homeless encampments.
This is despite ongoing riots, vandalism of the homes of a council member and the mayor, and a depleted police force. dedicated to divisive cancel culture, corporate wokeism, and political correctness, all while covering up corruption from the It was expected that the council would vote to defund the Seattle Police Department by 50 percent, as had been previously indicated. Durkan has vetoed two other city council measures during her first term in office, one concerning a soda tax in 2018 and another regarding COVID-19 relief aid earlier this month.
Copyright ©2020 The Post Millennial All Rights Reserved. The full 50 percent defunding proposed by Sawant was voted down 7-1 with only Sawant supporting it. In total, the council approved a reduction of 54 officers from an already depleted police force. ", A Public Safety Civil Service Commission Rule requires that no-cause officer layoffs be based on length of service. "For the last few weeks, although we have not always agreed, the Mayor and I have spoken often in an effort to find common ground on the next steps necessary to advance that vision and invest in a community safety model that truly benefits the wellbeing of us all and creates opportunities for security and wealth building for all Seattleites, especially for BIPOC communities.". Several council members on Monday said the changes were a starting point in a long process to reimagine policing and public safety. Seattle currently has about 1,400 police officers and the reductions fell far short of the 50% cut to the department that many Black Lives Matter protesters are seeking.
City Council member Kshama Sawant, who faces a recall petition filed last week, was the only member to vote no on the cuts, saying they did not meet activists' calls to defund the department's $400 million budget by 50 percent. This unit primarily deals with large events and crowd control. The council also voted to cut $886,000 from the SPD and reallocate it to a proposal that would add $10 million for community-led organizations "to increase public safety."
There was a problem saving your notification. Seattle mayor vetoes police budget cuts as recall petition progresses, Public Safety Civil Service Commission Rule, More Washington property owners sue Inslee over eviction ban, Report: University of Washington developing ‘ultrapotent’ COVID-19 vaccine, Washington state could see historic turnout, Inslee sees landslide win and third term as Washington governor, Washington voters approve new restrictions to sheriff’s office, The $2,617 monthly cost of living in Spokane County is the lowest in Washington, Northern Quest Resort & Casino ranked best employer in Washington, Forbes survey finds, Duvall ranks the richest of Washington towns, study finds, Washington not among the 15 states with marriage penalties in their tax systems, Slow vote counting continues in Pennsylvania as state GOP hails Alito's order, Arizona GOP insists Trump will still win state, hints at lawsuits, GOP-led Michigan legislature to hold election hearings after glitch initially gave up to 5,000 Trump votes to Biden, Georgia election officials say recount likely in presidential race, Texas attorney's video of suspicious vote-counting activity in Detroit censored by big tech, conservatives allege. Instead of those measures, the council opted for amendments that would enact cuts to specific programs inside the SPD. The $3 million in cuts defunds several of the city's special units, including its controversial "Navigation Team," which dismantled homeless encampments.
The Seattle Police Department has been named in a slew of lawsuits this summer over allegations of police brutality, indiscriminate use of force, and violating protesters' free speech rights. The amendments also removed resource officers who are present in public schools and laid off members of the SWAT team, leading many to ask who would respond in a mass casualty event like a shooting at a school or a religious institution, and to question the response time of remaining resources. Over 80 percent of those who have been offered services have rejected help, primarily because there is no enforcement of basic laws prohibiting urban camping. Rallies have been held to support the police with another scheduled for Sunday.
In fact, the budget as passed by council would offer few additional cuts or changes, but could mire the city in extended bargaining and even lawsuits," Durkan said. The Nav team offers services to the homeless living on the streets and in RVs. Two-thirds of officers who left the SPD cited demonization by politicians as the reason for quitting and transferring.
The full Seattle budget including these amendments, is up for vote on Monday. Durkan still faces a recall petition that she already has challenged several times in Washington state courts and is currently appealing to the Supreme Court of Washington. At last count over 150,000 people had signed a petition to support the Seattle Police Department. The council had boasted a veto proof majority to do so.
(The Center Square) — Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan vetoed police budget cuts that would have led to the layoffs of 100 sworn officers, which the city council approved by a 7-1 margin this month. The other proposals that were approved unanimously were described as a "consent package" which includes ordering the police chief to eliminate the mounted unit. As of Sunday, the petition has garnered over 43,000 signatures. Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best called the 50 percent reduction reckless. He is a University of Washington alum and the recipient of the 2017 Pioneer News Award for Reporting. (The remaining $9.1 million would come from an interfund loan to be addressed in separate legislation.) If Durkan is recalled, González would be appointed Acting Mayor of Seattle until regular elections could be held.
It was expected that the council would vote to defund the Seattle Police Department by 50 percent, as had been previously indicated.
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Tim Gruver is a politics and public policy reporter. However, pushback by citizens, the mayor, the police chief, and officers themselves seems to have turned the tide and caused the council to backtrack.
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