Seattle Gun Violence Plan Sparks Backlash: Police Guild Says More Enforcement Is Needed

Seattle’s new approach to gun violence is facing pushback from police and some city leaders following a summer marked by several high-profile shootings. Seattle Police Officers Guild President Kent Liu discusses Mayor Katie Wilson’s gun-violence plan and argues that prevention efforts alone won’t solve the problem without a functioning criminal justice system and greater enforcement. Meanwhile, Seattle officials are weighing expanded police patrols, crisis responders, community programs and other violence-prevention strategies. Also in this episode: questions surrounding Seattle’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program, a new Washington Policy Center report challenging previously cited success metrics, and controversy surrounding homelessness services and Catholic Charities programs in Spokane.