Council News Release

Councilmember Richard McIver
Council President Nick Licata
Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck
Councilmember Sally Clark
Councilmember Richard Conlin
Councilmember David Della
Councilmember Jan Drago
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen

$5.8 MILLION FOR COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC SAFETY PACKAGE
Budget Committee completes work to add 31 police officers, crime prevention, and programs that link human services and public safety.

SEATTLE – The Budget Committee today completed its work on comprehensive public safety budget package in response to concern about crime, human need, and policing issues. Councilmember Richard McIver, chair of the Budget Committee, said, “We put public safety first in this budget. The Council knows that public safety means more officers and community oriented solutions to crime, but also more money to keep people out of jail.” Council President Nick Licata, chair of the Public Safety, Government Relations, and Arts Committee, said, “The Council has responded thoughtfully to the challenges of crime by recognizing that increased police staffing and more money for prevention are both essential.”

Elements of the $5,875,000 Comprehensive Public Safety Package for 2007-2008 include:

• $2,916,000 for 31 new police officers
• $982,000 for programs aimed at diverting at-risk youth from offending
• $840,000 for treatment, housing and other services to help reduce recidivism
• $648,000 for civilian assistants for patrol or community oriented solutions to crime
• $405,000 for legal assistance for victims of domestic violence

The Council will continue to exercise its budget authority in November by scrutinizing the Mayor’s budget and potentially proposing additional changes. The budget must be adopted no later than December 1. The Council and the Mayor will, as required by state law, adopt a balanced budget.

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City Council