History and Mission

SPD Safe Place is a law enforcement sponsored and overseen initiative that was born out of a need to address low reporting of anti-LGBTQ+ crimes and school bullying incidents by increasing public trust in law enforcement and feelings of safety in the community.  The program was expanded in 2018 to include anyone who may have been a victim of a bias crime. 

How it Works

SPD Safe Place is a unique partnership with the business community and schools that serve a critical role in assisting the victims of these crimes. Businesses and schools that participate place an easily recognizable decal at their entrances.  This symbol is a signal for victims of hate crimes that this location has partnered with the police, will call 911 on their behalf and allow them a safe place stay on the premises until the police arrive.  

  • Over 7,000 businesses throughout Seattle currently participate in the program. 
  • Nearly 300 police agencies throughout the United States, Canada and Europe are actively working with SPD to initiate Safe Place in their communities.  

Timeline  

2014

  • Officer Jim Ritter appointed as SPD's first full-time LGBTQ liaison.
  • Recognizing the need in the LGBTQ community, Officer Ritter conceptualized the idea for SPD Safe Place initiative.   

2015

  • SPD Safe Place was launched publicly and received immediate interest and support from Seattle's LGBTQ community, businesses, schools, media and other law enforcement organizations. 
  • A United States Trademark and Copyright is issued for the Safe Place Program.


2018

  • SPD Safe Place program and decal was updated to encourage any victim of a hate crime, not just those related to the LGBTQ+ community to seek help with Safe Place.  Going from "Report Anti-LGBTQ Crimes" to "REPORT HATE CRIMES"


2019

  • Officer Dorian Korieo, is selected as SPD's second LGBTQ+ liaison, and takes over as the Safe Place Administrator.
  • Officer Ritter retires from the Seattle Police Department.
  • Safe Place is issued a Canadian Copywrite. 

2020

  • The Safe Place logo stickers are updated with QR codes. 

2021

  • Safe Place Stickers and documentation is translated into Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Somali.

2022

  • SPD's Safe Place Coordinator Dorian Koreio is awarded the 2022 Leadership in Human and Civil Rights Award by the International Association of Chiefs of Police

Police

Adrian Diaz, Chief of Police
Address: 610 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98104-1900
Mailing Address: PO Box 34986, Seattle, WA, 98124-4986
Phone: (206) 625-5011
dorian.korieo@seattle.gov
Contact Us

The Seattle Police Department (SPD) prevents crime, enforces laws, and supports quality public safety by delivering respectful, professional, and dependable police services. SPD operates within a framework that divides the city into five geographical areas called "precincts".

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