Seattle Businesses Demand Action as Katie Wilson's Gun Violence Plan Faces Questions

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's new gun violence prevention plan is facing questions over coordination, advance notice and the role Seattle police should play in the city's strategy to reduce shootings. Wilson announced her gun violence prevention plan following a violent summer that included the mass shooting at the Bite of Seattle and several other high-profile shootings. The plan puts Seattle's Community Assisted Response and Engagement Department, known as CARE, in a central coordinating role while bringing community violence intervention programs more closely into the city's emergency response system. The plan also includes Seattle Police Department resources, increased bike patrols, continued police hiring, focused deterrence, youth programs, mental health services and partnerships between law enforcement, social services and community organizations. But questions are emerging about how the plan was developed and whether key public safety officials had sufficient advance notice. Seattle City Councilmember Bob Kettle, who chairs the council's Public Safety Committee, says he did not receive advance notice of Mayor Wilson's plan. Kettle says Seattle needs a balanced gun violence strategy that combines community outreach and intervention with a strong Seattle Police Department role and focused deterrence. The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office has also raised questions about the rollout. According to the office, prosecutors were not provided the complete plan before offering a statement associated with the announcement. Seattle Police Officers Guild President Kent Lou has been sharply critical of the strategy, arguing that Seattle needs a stronger law enforcement response focused on people illegally carrying guns and individuals involved in violent criminal activity. CARE Chief Amy Barden, meanwhile, argues that community intervention is intended to work alongside law enforcement and accountability rather than replace them. The disagreement comes as Seattle City Council members pursue their own approach to gun violence. On the same day Wilson announced her plan, the council approved a resolution calling for a focused-deterrence partnership with the National Network for Safe Communities that would bring together law enforcement, social services and community organizations. That leaves Seattle facing a major public safety debate over how to balance police enforcement, focused deterrence, community violence intervention, social services and prevention as the city responds to gun violence. Mayor Wilson's proposed 2027-2028 budget will also play a major role in determining how the strategy moves forward. The budget funds additional Seattle Police Department positions while also investing in CARE, community safety, violence prevention and intervention programs. Today's Washington in Focus examines Katie Wilson's Seattle gun violence prevention plan, Bob Kettle's concerns about the role of SPD, questions surrounding the plan's rollout, CARE's expanding public safety role, the Seattle City Council's competing priorities and the broader debate over how Seattle should respond to gun violence. Follow The Center Square for continuing coverage of Katie Wilson, Seattle public safety, Seattle crime, gun violence, the Seattle Police Department, CARE, Bob Kettle, downtown Seattle and Washington state news. Want the next important update by text? Get the Washington state government and policy developments worth your attention sent straight to your phone. Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016 or sign up here: https://joinsubtext.com/c/thecentersquarewa Msg & data rates may apply. #Seattle #KatieWilson #GunViolence #PublicSafety #SeattlePolice #SPD #SeattleCrime #BobKettle #CARESeattle #DowntownSeattle #WashingtonState #WashingtonNews #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus