Blast balls: Do the benefits outweigh the risks in Seattle?

Though “blast balls” aren’t 100 percent non-lethal, it was argued Monday that they are a better option than some of the alternatives to crowd control, including physical contact.

“They are effective,” Seattle. Lt. Marc Garth-Green said. “We understand they can cause injury and are cited as a potential for death or great bodily harm. We take that into account.”

Though members of the Seattle Police Department did their best to quell the concerns of Seattle City Council members during a Monday briefing, several asked if police should use blast balls — at least until they are further evaluated and/or there is a more firm policy for them.

Related: Nine arrests, five SPD officers injured in May Day march

“Should we be using blast balls at all?” Councilmember Lorena Gonzalez asked.

For example, when stun guns were first released, jurisdictions didn’t know about all the potential harm they could cause, she said. She questions how they are classified and asked if the city is comfortable using it as “less-lethal crowd control.”

The discussion between the council and police followed a civilian police advisory commission calling on the police department to stop using blast balls after several demonstrators reported injuries from them during the last May Day protest.

The balls are about the size of a pool ball. They have caps similar to grenades and produce a loud boom.

Lt. Garth-Green explained that the blast balls create space between police and protesters. It allows police to break up violent demonstrations without putting officers in harms way, while also reducing the chances for injury. It’s “safer for all,” he said.

But people have been injured, council members argued. Councilmember Mike O’Brien said people, including members of the press, were reportedly injured from the blast balls.

“I remain very concerned that this tool seems to be … used in ways that I have serious reservations about,” O’Brien said.

It’s important to note that five Seattle officer were injured during the May Day protests this year.

Council members asked if the use of blast balls could be suspended until a policy is flushed out.

“Jumping to [that] could be a mistake,” Chief Operating Officer Brian Maxey said.

“Are they flawless? No,” he continued. “But it’s all about balance of the risk. Until the risk outweighs the benefits, don’t suspend.”

Follow @https://twitter.com/mynorthwest