MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seattle council divided over proposals to defund police department

Aug 4, 2020, 1:12 PM | Updated: 1:19 pm

Seattle police, police tactics...

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

As a series of key votes approaches, Seattle councilmembers are divided over various proposals to cut funding to the city’s police department.

Veto-proof council majority now supports defunding SPD by 50%

On one side, Councilmember Kshama Sawant is proposing an immediate 50% cut to the Seattle Police Department’s remaining 2020 budget. Her amendments to the city’s budget would cut $85 million, totaling 50% from SPD’s remaining $170 million budget in 2020. That would include the original $16 million in cuts Mayor Jenny Durkan proposed in late June, which would encompass a freeze on the hiring of new officers, and limits on new equipment and training.

Others on the dais, though, have expressed a desire to be more cautious and deliberate, laying out a proposed roadmap that would focus more on cuts to SPD beginning in 2021.

“There’s going to be a lot of people out there who are disappointed, but I think part of our strategy of our council has to be … if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” Councilmember Andrew Lewis said Monday during the budget committee’s debate over cuts to SPD. “Join us in this effort, and we will make sustained progress together.”

“This is the beginning of a process we are committed to continuing in September,” said Councilmember Tammy Morales, referring to when discussions over the 2021 budget will begin.

Similarly, Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, who had initially led the charge on the movement within city council to cut 50% of SPD’s funding, noted that large, sweeping cuts don’t appear to be possible in such a small amount of time.

Opinion: No more reform — it’s time to rebuild Seattle policing

Sawant has spoken out numerous times in recent days against that slower approach.

“Seattle’s Democratic establishment presented their Defund police proposal today, and … its NOT a Defund proposal at all,” she said last Friday. “We heard some grand promises for weeks. But predictably, when it comes time for the action, these politicians do nothing even close to defunding police.”

Councilmembers will meet Wednesday to vote on a series of amendments to SPD’s budget out of committee, with little support for many of Sawant’s more sweeping cuts. Several other amendments, including one that would gradually eliminate roughly 100 positions from SPD, appear to have broader approval from a coalition led by Councilmembers Lisa Herbold, Lorena Gonzalez, Morales, and Mosqueda.

MyNorthwest News

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

56 minutes ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

4 hours ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone and Bill Kaczaraba

‘Kia Boyz’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

5 hours ago

Spanaway woman shot dead...

Kate Stone

Search for shooter continues after woman shot dead while driving in Spanaway

A 47-year-old woman was shot dead in Spanaway, causing her to hit another driver head-on early Wednesday morning.

6 hours ago

nintendo redmond...

Frank Sumrall

Nintendo to lay off 86 Redmond employees this spring

Nintendo of America is laying off 86 contract workers in Redmond, beginning May 25, due to company reorganization.

7 hours ago

Everett boy missing...

Sam Campbell

4-year-old Everett boy missing, police worried he’s in danger

Police and Search and Rescue crews are looking for a missing four-year-old boy they suspect could be in danger.

8 hours ago

Seattle council divided over proposals to defund police department