While dealing with knife-wielding man, Seattle police took ‘safe’ option
Mar 30, 2017, 3:40 PM | Updated: 4:30 pm
Officers and SWAT members arrest a man who was allegedly threatening people with a knife in downtown Seattle on March 29. (SPD)
(SPD)
Tactics used by Seattle police to de-escalate what could have been a deadly situation Wednesday may have jammed up downtown traffic, but they turned out to be a more effective than past methods, according to one sergeant.
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When a man with a knife began allegedly threatening people in the 1200 block of Third Avenue in downtown Seattle, police began what turned out to be about two-hours worth of negotiations.
Officers first attempted to use Tasers on the man. When that failed, several blocks around the area were cordoned off with temporary fencing as police continued to talk with the man. That, of course, caused drive times through the area to increase more than usual.
Officers install fencing as an additional safety measure. If you work downtown, please be aware of traffic impacts during evening commute. pic.twitter.com/sNzP0FZVwt
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) March 28, 2017
During an “Ask Me Anything” Reddit discussion the following day, one user asked Seattle’s Chief Hostage Negotiator Sergeant Bill Waltz why the incident lasted so long. The Reddit user wondered why police used the methods they did, instead of neutralizing him in another non-lethal way — like using a firetruck hose on the infamous “samurai sword guy” in 1997.
Here’s the sergeant’s answer:
This incident was wrapped up much more quickly, actually. Using force comes with a risk to both to officers and to the person in crisis. We try our best to not use fire hoses on people. Talking is a far more safe option, and frankly, it is often more effective than force options for achieving the goal of having the situation end without injuries. We prefer negotiations whenever we possibly can.
Those negotiations even included family members, according to the police department.
The man put his knife down and surrendered around 4:30 p.m. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center for a medical evaluation.
