Major Seattle employers, including Microsoft and Starbucks, are urging city officials to adopt a 100-day public safety plan to enhance police response and restore surveillance measures.
In a significant move, dozens of prominent business leaders from the Seattle area are calling on city officials to take decisive action to improve public safety. This coalition includes executives from major companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Costco, Alaska Airlines, and T-Mobile.
In a letter addressed to Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and members of the City Council, 38 business leaders urged the adoption of a comprehensive 100-day public safety action plan. They emphasized the need to restore surveillance cameras in high-crime and high-traffic areas, as well as to establish clear benchmarks for police response times.
The letter was spearheaded by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Challenge Seattle, and the Washington Roundtable. According to the coalition, an August poll of Seattle voters revealed a strong desire for more urgent action on public safety issues.
Only 34% of surveyed voters expressed confidence in the city’s current public safety plan. In stark contrast, over 86% supported the creation of a public safety action plan, while 75% favored expanding the use of CCTV cameras in the city.
The business leaders specifically called for the reactivation of surveillance cameras in areas such as Pioneer Square and the Stadium District, which frequently host large events. They argue that these cameras can serve as a deterrent to crime and assist law enforcement in identifying suspects.
In addition to the surveillance measures, the letter outlines a 100-day plan with measurable goals and monthly progress reports. The coalition is advocating for the restoration of regular foot and bicycle patrols in neighborhoods facing persistent public safety challenges, including Little Saigon.
Another key point raised in the letter is the need for Seattle to recommit to its seven-minute standard for 911 response times, with a commitment to publicly report instances when this benchmark is not met. The business leaders highlighted troubling data from Nordstrom’s downtown flagship store, which indicated that police responded to only 29% of its 911 calls. In contrast, the company’s locations in Southcenter and Bellevue received officer responses to all of their 911 calls.
The coalition is also pushing for clearer policies regarding drug diversion, advocating for treatment and shelter options to be offered first, while also calling for the arrest and prosecution of individuals who repeatedly refuse assistance. They are urging Seattle police and the city attorney to develop a prioritized strategy aimed at shutting down open-air drug markets.
Furthermore, the business leaders proposed a prohibition on camping within 250 feet of parks, playgrounds, and schools, with a requirement that encampments in these areas be cleared within 72 hours.
As the city prepares for its budget process, the coalition warned against any reductions in public safety spending. They noted that Seattle currently has approximately 1.31 sworn police officers per 1,000 residents, a figure they described as roughly 40% below Denver, 43% below San Francisco, and 58% below Boston.
The letter arrives amid ongoing scrutiny of Mayor Wilson’s administration regarding police staffing and the city’s response to several high-profile shootings that occurred over the summer. Rachel Smith of the Washington Roundtable stated that the concerns voiced by the business community were not triggered by a single incident but rather stemmed from a perceived gradual deterioration in public safety.
Former Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, who now leads Challenge Seattle, emphasized the urgent need for action on public safety. For Seattle’s major employers, these demands reflect a growing concern that public safety issues are affecting businesses, workers, residents, and visitors alike. The coalition is now urging city leaders to combine a concrete action plan with adequate funding and measurable outcomes.
According to The American Bazaar, the business leaders’ letter underscores the critical intersection of public safety and economic vitality in Seattle.