Full Breakdown
Seattle Business Leaders Demand 100-Day Public-Safety Action Plan
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Request
A coalition of 38 Seattle-area executives—including Microsoft President Brad Smith, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol, Costco CEO Ron Vachris, Nordstrom co-CEO Erik Nordstrom, Seattle Mariners CEO John Stanton, Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci, T-Mobile Vice Chairman Mike Sievert and Zillow CEO Jeremy Wacksman—sent a sharply worded letter to Mayor Katie Wilson, City Council President Joy Hollingsworth and Councilmember Bob Kettle. The group called for a 100-day public-safety action plan, the reactivation of CCTV cameras in Pioneer Square, the Stadium District and other high-event zones, and clear benchmarks for police response times.
Background and Recent Violence
The appeal follows a series of high-profile shootings this summer, including a Belltown incident that left three young people dead and three injured. City officials have also faced criticism over open-air drug markets and perceived delays in police response to emergency calls.
Data and Public Opinion
The coalition cited an August poll it commissioned, which found only 34 % of Seattle voters confident in the city’s public-safety plan. More than 86 % backed a 100-day action plan, 75 % supported expanded CCTV use, and 90 % favored regular foot and bicycle patrols in high-crime neighborhoods. Over 80 % favored diversion programs that offer treatment and shelter before arrest, while 79 % backed a ban on camping within 250 feet of schools, playgrounds and parks, with a 72-hour clearance requirement. The letter noted Seattle’s staffing level of 1.31 sworn officers per 1,000 residents, roughly 40 % below Denver, 43 % below San Francisco and 58 % below Boston. Nordstrom’s downtown flagship reported police responded to only 29 % of its 911 calls, compared with 100 % response at its Southcenter and Bellevue locations.
Official Statements and City Response
Mayor Wilson described the recent violence as “tragic and unacceptable” and announced a national search for a permanent police chief after Police Chief Shon Barnes resigned in July. The mayor appointed Andre Sayles as interim chief and pledged to restore a seven-minute 911-response standard while the city develops the requested action plan.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The bottom line is cameras need to be used to protect people and to solve crime full stop,” — Rachel Smith, chair and president — Rachel Smith, chair and president, Washington Roundtable.
