JASON RANTZ

Rantz: As Seattle City Council defunded police, two victims were stabbed nearby

Nov 23, 2020, 9:34 PM | Updated: Nov 24, 2020, 5:37 am

stabbing belltown police defund seattle council...

A case worker was stabbed to death in Seattle as the Council voted to defunded an already understaffed police department. (KIRO 7 TV)

(KIRO 7 TV)

As the Seattle City Council voted to defund the police Monday, two victims were stabbed just blocks away. One of the victims died at the scene. A second was stabbed, by a stranger, in the neck.

The stabbings — the third in four days — spotlights a city spiraling out of control. As homicides soar and violent crime escalates, police staffing dwindles. And the council just made the situation worse.

It’s almost as if the council, blinded by ideology, is trying to cause further pain and suffering.

Rantz: Mass exodus worsens with 34 more Seattle police out, as Council defunds

Seattle City Council defunded police after two stabbings

As the Seattle City Council debated the final 2021 city budget on Monday, a man stabbed a woman to death in Belltown just before 11 a.m. The stabbing occurred at an apartment building operated by Plymouth Housing. It serves formerly homeless people.

“She loved her job,” Jolene Paris, a resident, told KOMO TV. “She just wanted to help us.”

The 58-year-old suspect, formerly homeless, fled on foot before officers arrived. He was arrested later that afternoon, about an hour before the council approved a budget cut of 18% to the SPD. Among the cuts, the council will pursue a dangerous plan to have social workers respond to some 911 crisis calls.

The tragic irony is the victim was a case worker, potentially like one the council will send on 911 calls. Unarmed and untrained, they won’t have a chance to defend themselves against dangerous residents in crisis.

This wasn’t the day’s only stabbing.

Stabbed in the neck in Seattle

The second stabbing occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon in downtown Seattle. It was a random attack.

A 33-year-old man was walking nearby when a 27-year-old man stabbed him in the neck. The victim first thought he had been randomly punched, but soon realized he was bleeding. The victim was sent to the hospital and will be OK.

According to the police, responding officers found a pocket knife on the suspect, who also has a Department of Corrections felony warrant for escape from community custody.

It’s not a coincidence

It’s not a coincidence that there were two stabbings during council deliberations to defund the police.

The stabbings are a direct consequence of a city spiraling out of control. We have historically low police staffing. Indeed, the city has the lowest deployable staff since at least 1990. The fewer the officers, the higher the crime and the longer it will take to respond to violent crimes and track down suspects. And the problem is getting worse.

Not only have 144 officers already left the department in 2020, the number could very well exceed 200 by the new year. The Seattle City Council seems to be unbothered. They continue to push forward to defund Seattle police while the homicide rate grows as fast as our homelessness crisis. There is no end in sight.

As we are at crisis staffing levels, who would want to work in Seattle as an officer? There are scores of officers eating up accrued sick time ahead of leaving the department for a neighboring agency. And when they leave, their positions won’t be easily filled.

Perhaps the council thinks social workers can help address the problems the city faces. But one case worker lost her life today. I fear more tragic, senseless, and avoidable loss of life will occur.

Listen to the Jason Rantz Show weekday afternoons from 3-6 p.m. on KTTH 770 AM (or HD Radio 97.3 FM HD-Channel 3). Subscribe to the podcast here. Follow @JasonRantz on Twitter and Instagram or like me on Facebook.

Jason Rantz on AM 770 KTTH
  • listen to jason rantzTune in to AM 770 KTTH weekdays at 3-7pm toThe Jason Rantz Show.

Jason Rantz Show

Jason Rantz

Burien lawsuit...

Jason Rantz

Exclusive: City of Burien sues King County for breaking contract in homeless camping ban

The City of Burien filed a lawsuit against King County for its refusal to enforce a homeless camping ban that was lawfully adopted.

16 hours ago

Image: The Stevens County Sheriff's Office says it recently received an odd call from a Sasquatch h...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: Sheriff’s office asked legality of hunting Sasquatch in Stevens County

A Sasquatch hunter had an interesting question for the Stevens County sheriff. Is it legal to hunt Sasquatch?

1 day ago

Image: Children bike past Wilson Elementary in Spokane....

Jason Rantz

Rantz: ‘Racist’ Spokane elementary school’s ‘slaves and hobos’ ignites controversy

After a teacher told students they could dress as "slaves and hobos" for an event, the Spokane NAACP cried foul.

2 days ago

Images: At left, Bellevue Police Department Officer Kevin Bereta is seen in his uniform. At right, ...

Julia Dallas

Bellevue officer injured in VP Harris motorcade recalls road to reclaiming benefits

Bellevue Police Officer Kevin Bereta's life changed while he was on VP Kamala Harris' service detail during her visit to Washington.

2 days ago

permanent supportive housing...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: You’re being lied to about permanent supportive housing in Redmond

Redmond residents rightly push back against permanent supportive housing as a solution for the homeless, as Seattle media get in the way.

3 days ago

WA State Attorney General Bob Ferguson campaigning.  (Photo by Karen Ducey/Getty Images)...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: On crime, Bob Ferguson campaign made its first massive blunder

The Bob Ferguson campaign wants you thinking his top priority is crime. His entire political history says otherwise.

4 days ago

Rantz: As Seattle City Council defunded police, two victims were stabbed nearby