Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson releases gun violence plan with increased patrols, push for stronger gun laws

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson unveiled her plan to combat gun violence in the city Tuesday morning following a string of deadly shootings in Belltown, a gang-related mass shooting at the Bite of Seattle, and persistent crime along Aurora.

Wilson’s plan prioritizes increased police patrols and crisis responders, expanded gun violence legislation, additional community programs, and partnerships with the University of Washington and Johns Hopkins University to evaluate the city’s prevention efforts, according to a news release from the mayor’s office.

“Seattle will not accept gun violence as inevitable, and neither will I,” Wilson said. “We have a responsibility to make sure that communities in this city feel safe, and today I am acting on that responsibility with a coordinated, data-driven plan that brings every tool we have to bear on this problem. We are acting together, and we are acting now to respond to gun violence and prevent it before it happens.”

Police patrols would increase in areas hardest hit by gun violence

For police patrols, Wilson aims to increase police presence in areas heavily affected by gun violence, such as expanded bicycle patrols on North Aurora Avenue, Belltown, Rainier Beach, and Little Saigon.

The plan includes collaboration between the Seattle Police Department’s (SPD) Narcotics Unit, Gun Violence Reduction Unit, and Community Response Group that will pinpoint illegal firearm sellers and drug dealers.

Seattle will also continue funding an attorney within the City Attorney’s Office who will focus on filing extreme risk protection order petitions. The filings can restrict a person’s access to a firearm when there is substantial evidence that the person poses a significant danger.

“The City Attorney’s Office will have a dedicated attorney focused on taking guns out of the hands of dangerous people through Extreme Risk Protection Orders,” said Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans. “This is one piece in a much larger puzzle, from offering fulfilling youth engagement opportunities to seeking strong measures of accountability.”

The mayor’s office noted that in 2024, SPD began reversing a trend of more separations than new hires. In 2026, SPD is now on track to hire more than 140 officers.

“Seattle will see more police officers on the streets in 2027 than in 2026,” the mayor’s office stated.

$5 million would fund community violence intervention contracts with nine organizations

Seattle will also direct $5 million toward community violence intervention contracts that involve nine different organizations, such as the Human Services Department or the Community Assisted Response and Engagement Department (CARE).

Wilson’s 2027 budget proposal would link each organization more closely with 911 dispatchers, SPD, and fire departments. CARE would also act as the command center for the city’s gun violence reduction strategy.

Under the proposed budget, community crisis response operations would also increase by 85% from 10 hours each day to more than 18 hours. The expanded operating hours will offer services from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Seattle’s first Violence Reduction Council would examine every homicide in the city

For homicide investigations, Wilson’s plan will create Seattle’s first Violence Reduction Council, which will thoroughly examine every homicide that occurs in the city.

The Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions will create the council. Public health officials, social service providers, and criminal justice partners will make up the council and identify areas of need for preventing gun violence. Seattle is also planning to create shared data and performance measures that will analyze the effectiveness of its gun violence programs.

Youth programs and after-school funding targeted at Rainier Beach under proposed budget

Wilson is also planning to expand youth programs focused on preventing violence. Wilson’s proposed 2027-2028 budget includes more than $600,000 for a new after-school program at Rainier Beach High School and additional peer mentoring opportunities at Rainier Beach Community Center.

Seattle also plans to implement its Teen Late Night program at High Point Community Center, the ninth location the program will be offered across the city.

The city will also increase free mental health services for 13- to 24-year-olds to keep youth from “reaching a crisis point.”

The plan looks to expand Seattle’s Community Safety Network, linking community organizations, schools, and emergency responders with people at elevated risk of gun violence. Two Human Service Department representatives would oversee the effort.

Wilson calls on state lawmakers to strengthen gun laws, restrict firearms at public events

Mayor Wilson is calling on state lawmakers to review legislation on the state’s gun laws. Seattle is planning to support legislation that would increase community-based gun violence prevention efforts and firearm regulations, such as restricting firearms in certain parks, public areas, and major public events where children are likely to be present.

Wilson’s administration plans to work alongside lawmakers on juvenile firearm possession and sentencing laws, and with state Rep. Liz Berry on possible firearm regulations at the Seattle Center.

The plan also seeks a broader public safety strategy within North Aurora Avenue, which would combine gun violence prevention with human trafficking intervention, victim services, transportation improvements, and community outreach.

Seattle plans to identify who is most affected by gun violence and where services fall short

Seattle is planning to coordinate with the University of Washington’s Center for Firearm Injury Prevention, mapping out existing gun violence prevention programs, examining their success, and creating a baseline for measuring their effectiveness.

The plan will also identify people who are most affected by gun violence and the gaps in available services. The Johns Hopkins partnership will focus on the Violence Reduction Council and its homicide reviews.

Seattle Councilmember Rivera ‘underwhelmed’ by Mayor Katie Wilson’s gun violence plan, demands focused deterrence strategy

Seattle City Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) says she is “underwhelmed” by the mayor’s newly released gun violence plan, calling it short on new ideas and lacking a focused deterrence strategy she has championed for nearly a year.

“I’m not seeing anything new here. And I’m certainly not seeing a plan for focused deterrence. Let’s be clear, the mayor is getting pushback from activists who oppose any police involvement, but we know that making meaningful progress on public safety requires working with law enforcement,” said Councilmember Rivera.

“For almost a year I have been working to bring a proven, evidence-based, successful strategy for reducing gun violence to Seattle. The National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC) has significantly reduced gun violence in other cities using their focused deterrence model which centers in on the small number of people responsible for more than half of the gun violence.”

However, the NNSC has warned that without proper training and oversight, “an ill-conceived attempt can cause harm and increase mistrust in governmental institutions,” according to Rivera.

“We need meaningful action in this city, and Seattle can’t afford to wait any longer,” Rivera stated

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