Seattle police assign permanent officers to Magnuson Park after successful pilot program

After a successful 90-day pilot program last year, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) will now make permanent its Neighborhood Resource Officer (NRO) program in Magnuson Park.

The program consists of three officers and grew out of SPD Chief Shon Barnes’ belief in community-oriented policing.

“They’re going to be establishing relationships with our community. They’re going to make sure we can reduce crime. They’re going to be making sure we are fulfilling our obligation of problem-oriented policing,” Barnes said.

The resource officers will patrol neighborhoods inside the park. They will patrol on foot and on bikes to be closer to the people they serve.

“I’ve met with residents here at the park, from Mercy Housing and Solid Ground, and they’re grateful for SPD’s efforts at the park. I want to make sure that our families and the kids that are living here are living in a safe environment, and I thank Chief Barnes for his leadership,” Seattle City Councilmember Maritza Rivera said.

How the Magnuson Park officer program works

The three officers volunteered for the position and had to be selected for the program. They are dedicated to the park and report to the North Precinct. Barnes said program officers are a mix of veterans and new officers. The program will be housed at the Magnuson Community Center.

“This is what our commitment to public safety is about — smaller ownership of property and establishing relationships with our community,” Barnes said.

Plans are already underway to expand to other areas of the city, including 12th and Jackson in the Chinatown-International District and 3rd and Pike in downtown Seattle.

“Community policing, to me, means smaller beat ownership and neighborhood accountability. That’s what our community wants,” Barnes said.

Follow James Lynch on X. Read more of his stories here. Submit news tips here.

Follow @James_KIRORadio