Seattle Police pound pavement to combat crime

Seattle Police officers have ditched their cars in four city hot-spots, hoping that walking a beat will help them cut down on crime.

They’re trying to get out in front of crime, instead of simply responding.

Officer Erik Warner is working 2nd and Pike on foot. He tells KING-5 it seems to be working. “Once you get a 911 call or a call for service, it’s too late,” he said. “Something bad’s already happened, and what this does is it gives you a chance to interact with people and the community and the people who live and work down here before anything’s gone wrong.”

You will also see officers on foot in Belltown, the International District and Pioneer Square.

The new beats cut 911 calls in those areas by 60 percent in their first week.