Katie Wilson Pressed for Answers Over Seattle Crime + Police Guild Warns of More Violence In Seattle

Seattle public safety is facing renewed scrutiny after three people were killed and three others injured in a series of deadly Belltown shootings, as the Seattle Police Officers Guild calls for broader changes to the city's criminal justice system. Seattle Police Officers Guild President Kent Lou argues that simply adding more Seattle police officers will not solve the city's crime problems without cooperation from prosecutors, judges and jails. Lou says officers face difficulties booking some suspects into King County Jail and argues the system can leave Seattle police repeatedly dealing with the same offenders. The Seattle Police Guild is also calling for greater use of surveillance cameras, including around Seattle's Stadium District. Mayor Katie Wilson's administration has paused expansion of the camera system pending a privacy and data-security review. Wilson says Seattle Police Department data shows shootings and homicides remain at decade lows and says she is preparing a comprehensive gun violence prevention strategy. The public safety debate comes as Seattle City Councilmember Bob Kettle continues pressing Mayor Katie Wilson for answers about former Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes. Kettle argues Barnes was effectively removed as police chief after Wilson asked him to resign and says the mayor should provide the Seattle City Council with an explanation under the City Charter. Wilson's administration has maintained that Barnes resigned and that the charter requirement concerning reasons for dismissal does not apply. Also on Washington in Focus Daily, Washington high school wrestler Kallie Keeler and her mother are taking their girls sports and Title IX fight to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Alliance Defending Freedom filed an emergency motion after a federal district court denied preliminary relief. Keeler and her mother are seeking advance notice before she is matched against a male athlete and relief that would allow her to decline such a match without effectively losing her ability to participate in the sport. Keeler alleges she was sexually assaulted during a wrestling match last December after being matched against a male athlete without advance notice. Local prosecutors later declined criminal charges against the opposing wrestler, saying they did not believe they could prove a criminal case beyond a reasonable doubt. With wrestling season approaching, Alliance Defending Freedom is asking the Ninth Circuit for emergency relief in the case. Washington in Focus Daily breaks down the deadly Seattle Belltown shootings, Seattle crime, Mayor Katie Wilson, the Seattle Police Officers Guild, King County Jail, surveillance cameras, Shon Barnes, Bob Kettle, Seattle public safety, Kallie Keeler, Washington girls sports, Title IX, the Ninth Circuit and the latest Washington state news. #Seattle #SeattleCrime #SeattlePolice #KatieWilson #Belltown #PublicSafety #GirlsSports #TitleIX #NinthCircuit #WashingtonState #WashingtonNews #SPD #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus