The Seattle Police Department plans to launch another recruiting campaign in the coming weeks amid a plan to ramp up their downtown presence after a shooting in downtown and several other high profile crimes.
Read more HERE
Category: spd blotter
De Blasio pleads to Trump for help with homeless crisis
Mayor Bill de Blasio pleaded with President Trump on Sunday for help with the burgeoning homeless situation wreaking havoc throughout the city.
Read more HERE
Also…
Trump slams New York City, California over ‘tremendous’ homeless crisis
“California and New York must do something about their TREMENDOUS Homeless problems,” he wrote.
“If their Governors can’t handle the situation, which they should be able to do very easily, they must call and ‘politely’ ask for help. Would be so easy with competence!”
Read more HERE
Seattle Police stocking up on opioid overdose medicine – EVENT! SAT AUGUST 31, 2019
Eight cities in Washington will host events for Overdose Awareness Day, Saturday.
The Seattle Police Department has ordered 145 more doses of naloxone, the opioid overdose medicine, to be distributed across their five precincts. Read More
According to the National Safety Council, there were 61,311 preventable drug overdoses in the country in 2017.
Of those, more than 43,000 involved opioids.
For more information of the efforts in Washington state to stop overdoses, click here.
August 31, Seattle
Who: VOCAL Washington
What: Resilience, Remembrance and Healing. An event to create a space that holds people that are grieving and also increases awareness of the issue of overdose and what can be done to prevent them. Naloxone distribution and overdose prevention training.
Where: Occidental Park, 117 South Washington Street, Seattle, WA 98104
When: August 31, 2019, 2:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Contact: info@vocal-wa.org
Overdose Awareness Day Events 2019
August 21, Mount Vernon
Who: Pioneer Counseling/Phoenix Recovery Services. Skagit County
What: Overdose Awareness Event, Awareness Walk at 5:00 p.m. Free NARCAN, overdose response trainings, food, music, tribute board, resource booth.
Where: Cleveland Park, 1401 Cleveland Street, Mount Vernon, WA, 98273
When: August 21, 2019. 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Contact: (360) 848-8437
August 28, Yakima
Who: Triumph Treatment Services
What: “Time to Remember. Time to Act”. Memorial wall to honor those who were lost due to an overdose. Attendees are encouraged to bring photos of loved ones impacted or lost, and to stand in solidarity with friends and families of fatal overdose victims.
Where: Franklin Park. 410 S 19th Ave, Yakima, WA, 98902
When: August 28, 2019, 3:00 p.m. – Dusk
Contact: Triumph Treatment Services (509) 571-1455
August 28, Belfair
Who: Mason County
What: “Mason County Overdose Awareness Month”. Overdose awareness walk, resources, treatment providers, naloxone distribution and overdose response training.
Where: North Mason Timberland Library. 23081 NE State Route 3, Belfair, WA 98528
When: August 28, 2019, 4:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. Awareness walk starts at 6:00 p.m.
Contact: Abe Gardner (360) 463-2238
August 29, Shelton
Who: Mason County
What: “Mason County Overdose Awareness Month”. Overdose awareness walk, resources, treatment providers, naloxone distribution and overdose response training.
Where: Kneeland Park, West Railroad Ave, Shelton, WA 98584
When: August 29, 2019, 4:00 p.m. till 7pm. Awareness walk starts at 6:00 p.m.
Contact: Abe Gardner (360) 463-2238
August 31, Vancouver
Who: Clark County Public Health, Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health, and Clark County Opioid Task Force
What: Opioid overdose intervention training with the overdose prevention drug, Naloxone. A limited supply of free Naloxone kits will be available at the event. RSVP for overdose intervention training: https://sw_wa_opioid_awareness_day_2019.eventbrite.com
There will also be the third annual Southwest Washington Overdose Awareness Day candlelight vigil from 6-8pm, no RSVP needed.
Where: Marshall Community Center, 1009 E McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98663
When: August 31, 2019. Overdose prevention training 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Candlelight Vigil 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Contact: jim.jensen@southwestach.org
September 5, Everett
Who: Snohomish County Overdose Prevention
What: “A Night to Remember, A Time to Act.” Resource fair, speakers, candlelight vigil, attendees are encouraged to bring photos of loved ones lost to overdose or impacted by drug use.
Where: Snohomish County Campus, 3000 Rockefeller Ave, #5, Everett, WA, 98201
When: September 5, 2019. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Doors open at 6pm, indoor resource fair 6:30-7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. move outside for speakers and candlelight vigil.
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/events/342389723365852/
September 6, Okanogan
Who: Okanogan County Public Health
What: An event to remember friends and family affected by overdose. We will offer resources, including overdose response training and naloxone distribution.
Where: Okanogan County Public Health 1234 2nd Ave South, Okanogan, WA 98840
When: September 6, 2019. 6230-4:30 p.m.
Contact: (509) 422-7140
Officials: Call 2-1-1 to help people find shelter from cold and ice
Severe Weather Winter Shelters List Here
Outreach teams from King County and the City of Seattle are on patrol around downtown and parts of Capitol Hill to help people on the streets get out of the cold. You can help by dialing 2-1-1.
The King County Emergency Services Patrol, funded by the county and the city, is “operating 24/7 during the weekend to help people who are living on the streets in downtown Seattle” and “out meeting with people who are experiencing homelessness to encourage them to come inside during the winter storm.”
But you can also help out by calling 2-1-1 to let the outreach teams know about somebody who may need help.
You can also call 9-1-1 but reports from some callers say that the emergency dispatchers haven’t treated the shelter shuttle calls as priorities.
The county and the city have increased available shelters and warming facilities through the recent storms and into next week. A roster of severe weather shelters is here.
Read more Capitol Hill Seattle Blog
BEWARE: Fentanyl overdose deaths up 70 percent in Wash., health officials say
Photo from Public Health Seattle & King County shows pills containing fentanyl that were sold on the streets of Seattle.
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The number of people who died from an overdose of illicit fentanyl increased nearly 70 percent this year over last in Washington state, health officials said Wednesday.
NARCAN SPRAY
Read more HERE
October 15, 2018 – Seattle Neighborhood Business District Safety Forum
OCT 15 Seattle Neighborhood Business District Safety Forum
by SODO BIA
Free
Event Information
DESCRIPTION
The BIAs of Ballard, Chinatown/International District, University District, Pioneer Square, and SODO are collaborating in our efforts to engage with city, county, and state officials to address the increasing challenges our businesses are experiencing with drug dealers/users, public disorder, threatening behaviors and crime toward our customers and employees.
We want to invite you to attend a constructive conversation with our elected officials about the problems and solutions to our public safety concerns.
Questions? Email us at: info@sodoseattle.org
—
Agenda:
1. Facilitator Introductions – 5 minutes
2. BIA Panel Presentation – 40 minutes
What BIAs are doing
Crime Stats
Business, employee, and customer concerns
BIA request for action
3. City, County, State responses – 40 minutes
Enforcement
Prosecution
Services
4. Public Comment – 30 minutes
5. Conclusion and Next Steps – 10 minutes
Center for Children & Youth Justice: Uniting partners to redirect gang-involved youth
Learn About: Center for Children & Youth Justice
Youth Leadership, Intervention & Change (LINC) program
What Their Doing:
LINC 2018 Community Assessment Update: Presentation | Full Document
Strengthening agency coordination to reduce youth gang involvement. CCYJ has brought together schools, law enforcement, policymakers, social service providers, and other organizations to collect uniform data and develop an innovative, coordinated approach to address gang/group-involvement countywide.
Connecting gang/group-involved youth and young adults to needed support. Through a coordinated team of providers, LINC is intervening with these young people and reengaging them in secondary education, connecting them to counselling and treatment services,
employment opportunities, and other services they need to succeed. The multidisciplinary team model helps youth and young adults set and reach their educational, employment, and pro-social goals. CCYJ currently facilitates three multidisciplinary teams serving seven King County school districts. In 2017, we expanded into Seattle ensuring LINC is available as a resource throughout King County.
SPD: Back to School Youth Safety Tips: Metro, Sound Transit Safety & more..
Safety at School
Safety at school should be your number one priority.
Report all crimes and suspicious activities to school staff and police.
Always say no to things that make you uncomfortable.
If you see or receive information about a gun on school campus, get to safety and call 9-1-1 immediately.
Safety on Metro/Sound Transit Routes
Pay attention to your surroundings when walking to or from transit stops and on buses or trains.
Thieves on transit are on the lookout for cellphones, jewelry or other valuables.
If there is a problem on the bus or train, notify the driver and/or call 911.
Keep all personal belongings close by.
If you have concerns about safety at or near your stop, contact your driver or call 911.
Street Smarts
Know your transit routes.
If a person or group makes you feel uncomfortable, cross the street, walk in another direction, or ask other people you trust to walk with you.
Make eye contact with people around you carry yourself with confidence.
If you are Targeted in a Crime
If someone tries to grab you, make a scene. Scream, kick, fight . . . Depending on the situation, do what you feel is right to get away.
If someone demands your wallet or phone it’s always safer to hand it over than risk injury.
Seek help from a neighbor, business or bystander as quickly as you can and call 9-1-1.
REad more Seattle Police Department Website
Seattle Police Department: Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD)
Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) is a pre-booking diversion pilot program developed with the community to address low-level drug and prostitution crimes in the Belltown neighborhood in Seattle and the Skyway area of unincorporated King County. The program allows law enforcement officers to redirect low-level offenders engaged in drug or prostitution activity to community-based services, instead of jail and prosecution. By diverting eligible individuals to services, LEAD is committed to improving public safety and public order, and reducing the criminal behavior of people who participate in the program.
About LEAD
Frequently Asked Questions
LEAD Policy Coordinating Group
Funders
Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) is a new innovative pilot program that was developed with the community to address low-level drug and prostitution crimes in the Belltown neighborhood in Seattle and the Skyway area of unincorporated King County. LEAD will divert low-level drug and prostitution offenders into community-based treatment and support services – including housing, healthcare, job training, treatment and mental health support — instead of processing them through traditional criminal justice system avenues.
A unique coalition of law enforcement agencies, public officials, and community groups collaborated to create this pilot program. These groups make up LEAD’s Policy Coordinating Group, which governs the program.
LEAD’s goal is to improve public safety and public order, and to reduce the criminal behavior of people who participate in the program. The program will be thoroughly evaluated to determine whether it has been successful or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are frequently asked questions about LEAD. If you have further questions about the program, please contact us.
What is LEAD?
LEAD is a pre-booking diversion program that allows officers to redirect low-level offenders engaged in drugs or prostitution activity to community-based services instead of jail and prosecution. LEAD participants begin working immediately with case managers to access services. LEAD’s goals are to reduce the harm a drug offender causes him or herself, as well as the harm that the individual is causing the surrounding community. This public safety program has the potential to reduce recidivism rates for low-level offenders and preserve expensive criminal justice system resources for more serious or violent offenders.
How does LEAD differ from other drug programs?
First, LEAD is the result of a commitment from law enforcement agencies, public officials, and community organizations to work together in implementing a new approach to addressing drug and prostitution activity. Second, the diversion in LEAD is made at the pre-booking stage, in the hopes of bypassing the costs and time entailed in booking, charging, and requiring court appearances of an individual. Finally, LEAD provides participants with immediate case management services, and access to additional resources not available through existing public programs.
Who is eligible for diversion into LEAD?
Individuals who are arrested for eligible offenses within specified boundaries for Belltown or Skyway may be diverted into LEAD. Eligible offenses include low-level drug offenses, and engaging in prostitution. Individuals who have certain violent offenses in their criminal history are ineligible for diversion.
Who designed LEAD?
LEAD is the result of an unusual collaboration among diverse stakeholders. Collaborators include the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Seattle City Attorney’s Office, the Seattle Police Department, the King County Sheriff’s Office, the King County Executive, the Mayor’s Office, The Washington State Department of Corrections, The Defender Association, the ACLU of Washington, and community members. The collaboration of these stakeholders was motivated by a shared dissatisfaction with the outcomes and costs of traditional drug law enforcement.
Who runs LEAD?
As noted, LEAD is the result of a collaboration among a number of stakeholders. All stakeholders are represented on LEAD’s Policy Coordinating Group, and the group makes decisions by consensus via a memorandum of understanding. LEAD is entirely voluntary, and any stakeholder may choose to withdraw from LEAD at any time.
Who will provide services to LEAD participants?
LEAD stakeholders have contracted with Evergreen Treatment Services (ETS) to provide services to LEAD participants. ETS has provided addiction treatment services in Washington for over 30 years, and has been actively involved in federally-funded research projects. ETS’ REACH Program has been a key provider in the delivery of street outreach services to chronically homeless and chemically addicted adults in Seattle for 15 years. ETS will follow harm reduction principles and will attempt to provide immediate access to services.
How will we know if LEAD works?
All LEAD stakeholders are committed to evaluating the program rigorously. The evaluation will consider, among other factors, whether LEAD has resulted in reductions in drug use and recidivism, whether LEAD is more cost-effective than traditional criminal justice processing, and whether LEAD has had a positive impact on a community’s quality of life.
How much will LEAD cost the City of Seattle and King County?
Nothing. LEAD stakeholders obtained funding from private foundations to implement the program. Its funders include the Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Vital Projects Fund, RiverStyx Foundation, Massena Foundation, and the Social Justice Fund Northwest.
Do community members support LEAD?
Community members strongly support LEAD. LEAD will be piloted first in Belltown, and then in Skyway (in partnership with the King County Sheriff’s Office). Members of both communities have participated in the program’s design, and will continue to provide feedback about the program. For example, the LEAD Community Advisory Board in Belltown includes representatives from the Belltown Community Council, Belltown Business Association, Downtown Seattle Association/Metropolitan Improvement District, Recovery Café, YWCA, Plymouth Housing Group, and Millionair Club Charity. The LEAD Community Advisory Board in Skyway includes representatives from Skyway United Methodist Church, Westhill Community Council, and Skyway Solutions.
For how long will LEAD be implemented?
LEAD formally began on October 1, 2011. The program is anticipated to run for two years before an evaluation is begun, and to continue with foundation funding for an additional two years while the evaluation is conducted and analyzed. If LEAD is found to be effective, an ongoing source of funding will be sought.
Have programs like LEAD been implemented elsewhere?
LEAD was inspired by “arrest-referral” programs in the United Kingdom. Those programs have recently been implemented in virtually every police department in the United Kingdom because pilot projects proved to be so effective.
Policy Coordinating Group
LEAD is governed by a Policy Coordinating Group. The group makes decisions by consensus via a memorandum of understanding. LEAD is entirely voluntary, and any stakeholder may choose to withdraw from LEAD at any time. The members include:
Seattle Office of the Mayor
King County Executive Office
Seattle City Council
King County Council
Seattle City Attorney’s Office
King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
Seattle Police Department
King County Sheriff’s Office
Washington Department of Corrections
Belltown LEAD Community Advisory Board
Skyway LEAD Community Advisory Board
The Defender Association, Racial Disparity Project
ACLU of Washington, Drug Policy Project
Funders
LEAD is currently operating as a pilot program and is being funded by private foundations. It is hoped that LEAD will eventually find permanent funding from public sources. The cost-effectiveness of the program will be studied in detail as part of the evaluation for LEAD.
Current funders include:
Ford Foundation
Open Society Foundations
Vital Projects Fund
RiverStyx Foundation
Massena Foundation
The Social Justice Fund Northwest
Read more about LEAD
Sign Up: National-SPD Night Out is Tuesday, August 7, 2018.
Night Out
Night Out is a national event promoted in Seattle by Seattle Police Department Crime Prevention. It is designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, increase neighborhood support in anti-crime efforts, and unite our communities.
Night Out is Tuesday, August 7, 2018.
Registration is now open, and will close August 6th, at 5:00PM.
Night Out is August 7, 2018
Get Ready for Night Out!
Register for the event
To participate in Night Out and to have your street closed for the event, you must officially register your Night Out event with the City of Seattle.
Registration is open until 5:00PM Monday August 6, 2018
Seattle Action Network 