SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES

Seattle Police Guild Pres: ‘We can’t politicize public safety because we will all suffer’

Nov 27, 2020, 4:23 PM

seattle police, seattle officers, wrongful death...

(KIRO Radio, Matt Pitman)

(KIRO Radio, Matt Pitman)

The Seattle City Council voted to further defund Seattle police on Monday amid debating the 2021 budget. It comes at a time in which numerous incidents of violence occurred over the past few weeks, putting into question the push to reduce the level of Seattle police during a time of need.

Mike Solan is the president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild and joined the Dori Monson Show to discuss.

“It’s bizarre and it’s nonsensical. But it’s predictable. Bizarre, because it is completely unprecedented, nonsensical because it doesn’t make sense and we’re being driven and swallowed by far left progressive socialist activists that continue to push false narratives about public safety, in particular police officers,” he said.

Seattle City Council passes 2021 budget, including cuts to SPD funds

“But also, the third point is, it’s not surprising. I mean, this is something that we can see it play out. If you remove funds for police and you remove police jobs, it just makes sense. And it’s sad that people are going to be plagued with more crimes.”

Solan says that public safety is being politicized by those who have little understanding about the nature of crime and how to fight it.

“When you have people with no statistical data, with anything to point as far as being what they deem is a solution for public safety. When they insert social workers into a police problem, you’re going to see them being visited by crime, and sadly a couple days ago — and what you just referenced — is a social worker losing their life to this violence via mental health and homeless issues. I feel sad for that individual, in particular the victims that were obviously victimized by this psychopath,” he said.

Mossyrock, WA passes ordinance allowing businesses to stay open

“But you know, we have to spotlight this. This is a major problem. We can’t politicize public safety because we will all suffer and evidence of that is what’s occurring when they defend us.”

Listen to the Dori Monson Show weekday afternoons from noon – 3 p.m. on KIRO Radio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

President Donald Trump arrives to board Marine One on the Ellipse near the White House, Friday, Sep...

Associated Press

US military says it killed four in strike on alleged drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military attacked a boat suspected of being used to smuggle drugs in the Caribbean Sea on Saturday, killing four people, as the Trump administration continues its monthslong campaign against alleged traffickers in Latin America. The latest attack brings the number of people who have been killed in boat strikes by […]

2 hours ago

Drivers participate in the annual King of the Streets event celebrating lowriding, a Mexican Americ...

Associated Press

Lowriding culture celebrated in San Francisco as it receives broader recognition

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Drivers in vehicles built to move low and slow cruised Saturday down San Francisco’s Mission Street in celebration of one of the city’s most distinctive cultural traditions: lowriding. Music played as hundreds of customized cars bounced, tilted and otherwise made their way along the annual King of the Streets event, part […]

5 hours ago

Sound Sound...

South Sound

Jon Batiste Lights Up the Stage in Puyallup

Originally published on South Sound. Jon Batiste radiated joy at his Sept. 18 appearance at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup.

5 hours ago

Associated Press

Saudi Arabia confirms Yemen’s Houthi rebels tried to attack its capital with a ballistic missile

CAIRO (AP) — Saudi Arabia has confirmed that Yemen’s Houthi rebels tried to attack its capital with a ballistic missile. The statement late Saturday by the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis came long after the morning attempt, which the coalition said was intercepted. It was the first attack targeting Riyadh since the escalation in fighting […]

6 hours ago

Associated Press

Michigan city defends itself against accusations of favoring Muslim holidays over other faiths

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — The city of Dearborn responded Saturday to a lawsuit accusing it of celebrating Muslim holidays and ignoring religious holidays of other faiths by blaming attacks against it on its diversity and “welcoming nature.” A statement from the Detroit suburb issued by a spokesperson came in response to a lawsuit on Thursday […]

7 hours ago

ml king shooting...

Tom Brock

Shots fired, vehicle crashed: 2 dead in south Seattle

Two people are dead following a shooting and car crash in south Seattle early Saturday morning.

8 hours ago

Seattle Police Guild Pres: ‘We can’t politicize public safety because we will all suffer’