Public Safety

June 2025

June 2, 2025

City Hall protest leads to 8 arrests — Anti-LGBTQ demonstrators and counterprotestors continued to clash days after violence at Cal Anderson rally.

May 2025

May 27, 2025

Three arrested in Pioneer Square shooting that killed three, injured one — Seattle police say two men face murder and assault charges in the May 17 incident; a third suspect was arrested on an unrelated warrant as the investigation continues.

May 27, 2025

Police arrest 23 during protest at Cal Anderson Park — Seattle officers say arrests were made for assault and obstruction after clashes between opposing groups on Saturday; one officer was treated for injuries and released.

Despite nearly $3 billion in cuts, the state’s $78 billion budget for 2025–27 includes new funding for special education, law enforcement hiring, and homelessness services. Lawmakers prioritized core programs while delaying others, aiming to address immediate needs without tapping the state’s ...

May 19, 2025

Seattle City Council passes bill to expand traffic safety cameras beyond school zones — New cameras will target speeding hotspots, with revenue directed toward sidewalk repairs and pedestrian safety improvements.

May 12, 2025

Washington Supreme Court upholds state ban on high-capacity magazine sales — Justices ruled the 2022 law does not violate the right to bear arms, finding magazines over 10 rounds are not protected as “arms” and are not essential for self-defense.

May 5, 2025

City attorney launches alternative to drug prosecution for misdemeanor cases — Defendants can avoid jail by completing treatment steps, passing drug tests, and staying arrest-free for 60 days to qualify for case dismissal.

May 5, 2025

King County gun violence drops sharply in early 2025 — Shots fired incidents fell 37% from the same period last year, reaching their lowest first-quarter levels since 2021, according to the Q1 Shots Fired Report.

May 5, 2025

Seattle police hiring jumps 500% amid push to rebuild department ranks — Mayor Harrell and Chief Barnes cite incentives, streamlined timelines, and improved morale for reversing years of staffing shortfalls.

April 2025

Seattle saw notable year-over-year drops in violent crime, property crime, and motor vehicle theft during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Violent crime fell from 1,261 incidents in Q1 2024 to 1,077 in Q1 2025 — a decrease of 14.6%. Property crime declined from...

June 2025

City Hall protest leads to 8 arrests — Anti-LGBTQ demonstrators and counterprotestors continued to clash days after violence at Cal Anderson rally.

May 2025

Three arrested in Pioneer Square shooting that killed three, injured one — Seattle police say two men face murder and assault charges in the May 17 incident; a third suspect was arrested on an unrelated warrant as the investigation continues.

Police arrest 23 during protest at Cal Anderson Park — Seattle officers say arrests were made for assault and obstruction after clashes between opposing groups on Saturday; one officer was treated for injuries and released.

Washington’s new budget includes targeted investments in education, safety, and housing

Seattle City Council passes bill to expand traffic safety cameras beyond school zones — New cameras will target speeding hotspots, with revenue directed toward sidewalk repairs and pedestrian safety improvements.

Washington Supreme Court upholds state ban on high-capacity magazine sales — Justices ruled the 2022 law does not violate the right to bear arms, finding magazines over 10 rounds are not protected as “arms” and are not essential for self-defense.

City attorney launches alternative to drug prosecution for misdemeanor cases — Defendants can avoid jail by completing treatment steps, passing drug tests, and staying arrest-free for 60 days to qualify for case dismissal.

King County gun violence drops sharply in early 2025 — Shots fired incidents fell 37% from the same period last year, reaching their lowest first-quarter levels since 2021, according to the Q1 Shots Fired Report.

Seattle police hiring jumps 500% amid push to rebuild department ranks — Mayor Harrell and Chief Barnes cite incentives, streamlined timelines, and improved morale for reversing years of staffing shortfalls.

April 2025

First quarter crime statistics show a drop citywide