Business Leaders Demand Action, Plan From Seattle Mayor on Public Safety
More than 30 business leaders say Seattle needs measurable goals, faster 911 response and more patrols as crime and homelessness strain confidence.
- On Thursday, 38 Seattle business leaders including Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith and Starbucks Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol sent a letter to Mayor Katie Wilson demanding a concrete 100-day public safety action plan with measurable goals.
- Although every proposed safety measure drew at least 75% support from registered Seattle voters, an August poll revealed only 34% expressed confidence in the city's current strategy, prompting business leaders to act.
- The coalition's immediate requests include activating CCTV cameras and increasing foot and bike patrols in Little Saigon, citing Nordstrom data showing only 29% of 911 calls from its flagship downtown store yielded police responses.
- Additional proposals include directing city diversion specialists to offer shelter before pursuing prosecution for repeat drug offenders and mandating encampment clearance within 72 hours of banning them from parks, playgrounds, and schools.
- Compared to peer cities like Boston and Denver, Seattle has just 1.31 sworn officers per 1,000 residents, a staffing shortage the signatories argued must align budget decisions with measurable safety outcomes.
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Business leaders demand action, plan from Seattle mayor on public safety
SEATTLE — Seattle business leaders asked Mayor Katie Wilson and the Seattle City Council to commit to a series of demands on public safety on Thursday, including increasing police patrols and clearing encampments in some areas. The letter, signed by…
Business leaders demand a Seattle public safety plan
Seattle area businesses say they are done having their workers and customers threatened by crime, so 35 business leaders – including Nordstrom CEO Erik Nordstrom, Mariners CEO John Stanton and Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith – signed off on a letter to City Hall.
Top Seattle tech and business leaders demand 100-day public safety action plan from City Hall
In a letter sent Thursday, executives from major area employers — including Microsoft, Starbucks, Costco, F5, Alaska Airlines, Zillow, and others — urged city leaders to protect and expand public safety funding amid growing skepticism that the city currently has an effective strategy to address crime and homelessness.
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