Improved Police Accountability
Nobody is happy with the current state of Seattle when it comes to crime and policing. It has reached the point that most people don’t even bother reporting property crimes anymore, and those that are reported largely go unaddressed. The belief that the police are there to help is no longer held by the general public. Adding more police won’t necessarily solve the problem, but reinventing the way we do policing can:
Make the precinct police captains elected positions:
Currently, Seattle is divided into five police precincts, each of which is headed by a captain. Making the captain an elected position would ensure local accountability and better representation of the people when it comes to the way the law is enforced. If they do not ensure the safety and compassion for the vulnerable then the people can remove them with the democratic process.
Increase community representation, outreach,
& engagement:
Only about 12% of Seattle police officers actually live in Seattle. Having officers who live in the community, know it, care for it, and reflect its diversity is important for public trust. Furthermore, community forums, town halls, and updates should be held at least quarterly to increase accountability, transparency, and trust – especially within historically marginalized communities. We will not be able to reduce crime unless the people know and trust those chosen with keeping them safe.
Prioritize
serious offenses and property crimes:
Only about 10% to 20% of property crimes are solved in Seattle. Either the police are not focusing on the right things, or they do not have the resources they need to get the job done. This has to be fixed to restore public trust whether it means making the investigatory progress more available to the public or redistributing resources to actually solving crimes and keeping resource allocation transparent and accessible to the public.