F0
>>> WE ARE GOING TO HEAR FROM
SPEAKERS FIRST.
WE HAVE HOWARD GAYLE AND JACK
FRANCIS FIRST.
>> GOOD MORNING.
HOWARD GAYLE, DISTRICT 7.
BEFORE YOU IS A BILL THAT AS
OTHERS POINT OUT, HAS SERIOUS
INADEQUACIES.
WHY PUT INTO LAW RULES THAT
THEY CAN IGNORE BECAUSE THERE
ARE NO CONSEQUENCES?
WE HAVE MORE CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT
HERE THAN ANYWHERE ELSE.
I'VE NOT SEEN A MODEL THAT'S
BETTER THAN OURS.
THIS IS A CLAIM FROM THE MOST
IMPORTANT PERSON IN OUR
SUPPOSED ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM,
THE VERY SAME PERSON THAT CHOSE
TO IGNORE THE MURDER OF TERRY
HABER LAST YEAR AND FAILED TO
DO ANY INVESTIGATION.
THEY DEEM THESE KILLINGS LAWFUL
AND PROPER OR FAILED TO RELEASE
FINDINGS.
THIS IS THE SAME PERSON THAT'S
WORKED HIS WHOLE LIFE DEFENDING
POLICE INCLUDING DEFENDING NEW
YORK CITY FROM THE CLAIMS OF
THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE.
THIS IS RANKED 20% OUT OF A 100
SCORE AND THE SPD HAS KILLED
MORE PEOPLE AFTER THE START OF
OUR EFFORTS TO INCREASE
ACCOUNTABILITY THAN THE DECADE
BEFORE THAT.
WE MUST CREATE A SYSTEM OF
ACCOUNTABILITY LED BY THE
COMMUNITY AND NOT POLICE.
>> JACK FRANCIS?
>> HI, I'M JACK FRANCIS.
I'M 23 AND GAY.
THE RIGHT OF ACTION IS
CURRENTLY LIMITED TO INJURIES
IN A GATHERING THAT'S NOT A
PUBLIC INCIDENT.
SPD HAS SERIOUSLY INJURED MANY
PEOPLE, INCLUDING PEOPLE LIKE
ME.
THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES OF
EVENTS THAT HAPPENED OVER THE
LAST 13 MONTHS THAT YOU COULD
NOT FOLLOW UP FOR
ACCOUNTABILITY AGAINST THE SPD,
FOR EXAMPLE THE PINK UMBRELLA
INCIDENT.
THAT WAS DECLARED A RIOT BY SPD
AND THEREFORE IF THIS BILL
ISN'T AMENDED, BASICALLY THE
USE OF TEAR GAS AGAINST
CIVILIANS WOULD BE JUSTIFIED,
INCLUDING ALSO PEOPLE WHO
EXPERIENCE IT JUST SITTING IN
THEIR HOMES, JUST BYSTANDERS
AND COLLATERAL DAMAGE.
THAT WOULD ALL BE JUSTIFIED.
IT'S EXTREMELY INHUMAN AND
REMINDS ME OF SYRIA, USING
CHEMICAL AGENTS AGAINST
CHILDREN.
WE NEED TO DO MORE.
THIS IS A START.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
CODY AND B.J.
LAST?
>> I'M REPRESENTING THE
ORGANIZATION OF LEGALIZATION.
THE EXAMINATION OF LEGAL
MEDICINES IS A WELCOME CHANGE
BUT WE FIND SUBSTANCES ARE
INCREDIBLY VALUABLE IN THE
TREATMENT OF PSYCHIATRIC
DISORDERS.
THEY CARRY LOW RISK OF ABUSE
AND TREAT ABUSE OF OTHER
SUBSTANCES SUCH AS ALCOHOL AND
OPIATES.
WE WOULD ASK THE COUNCIL TO
SIGNAL THEIR SUPPORT BY TAKING
THE MODEST STEP OF MAKING THE
ENFORCEMENT OF LOW LEVEL
SUBSTANCES THE LOWEST PRIORITY
POSSIBLE, SIGNALING THAT PEOPLE
ARE READY FOR COMPREHENSIVE
CHANGES IN DRUG LAWS.
>> NEXT, B.J.
LAST IS LISTED AS NOT PRESENT.
NEXT SPEAKER IS GUY ORON AND
LEON BUCK.
GUY?
>> HI.
I'M A LOCAL CONSTITUENT IN
DISTRICT 5 AND I'M CALLING ON
THE CITY COUNCIL TO BAN
POLICING CHANGES WITH ISRAEL.
OVER THE LAST DECADE, A NUMBER
OF POLICE OFFICERS HAVE TRAINED
WITH ISRAELI FORCES AND THESE
INTENSIFY SURVEILLANCE AND MAKE
POLICE WORSE.
WE HAVE SEEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS
AND OTHERS STAND UP IN THE
STREETS AND ONLINE AGAINST
ISRAELI APARTHEID.
PLEASE PASS LEGISLATION TO BAN
THE DEADLY EXCHANGE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
JULIA BUCK FOLLOWED BY PETER
CONDITT?
>> I'M A MEMBER OF DISTRICT
SIX.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
TO SPEAK.
FOR SPD, RIGHT NOW THE
LIMITATION TO THE GATHERING,
THAT YOU HAVE TO BE IN A
GATHERING THAT'S NOT A PART OF
A PUBLIC DISTURBANCE, AND IT'S
REALLY RESTRICTING IN
DETERMINING WHO'S ELIGIBLE.
I CAN'T THINK OF WHO WOULD BE
ABLE TO USE THIS RIGHT OF
ACTION.
THE CHILD WHO WAS PEPPER
SPRAYED BY SPD WAS SUPPORTED
AND SAID THAT COULD MAKE IT
VIOLENT.
UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS NOT VERY
JUST AND NEEDS TO BE AMENDED.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK COUNCIL TO
REMOVE THE RESTRICTIONS ON WHO
CAN SEEK DAMAGES.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS PETER CONDITT
FOLLOWED BY WILL STERN.
>> HELLO, I'M PETER CONDITT AND
CALLING ON THE COUNCIL TO AMEND
BILL 120105 TO REMOVE ALL
RESTRICTIONS ON THE RIGHT OF
ACTION AND RESTORE IT TO ITS
ORIGINAL FORM.
THISES THE MECHANISM FOR WHEN
SPD VIOLATES THE BILL.
SPD THEMSELVES CAN DETERMINE IF
A SITUATION MEETS THIS
DEFINITION AND WILL INTERPRET
IT IN THE NARROWEST WAY OR
OUTRIGHT LIE ABOUT THE
SITUATION.
THEY HAVE DEPLOYED WEAPONS
AGAINST HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IN
THE LAST 13 MONTHS, CAUSING
SERIOUS INJURIES.
IS THERE AN EXAMPLE THAT WOULD
QUALIFY UNDER THE CURRENT RIGHT
OF ACTION?
EVERYONE SPD HIT WITH TEAR AND
PEPPER GAS DURING THE PINK
UMBRELLA INCIDENT WOULD BE
BARRED BECAUSE IT WAS DECLARED
A RIOT.
THE WOMAN WHO WENT INTO CARDIAC
ARREST WOULD BE BARRED BECAUSE
SPD DEEMED THE CROWD TO BE
VIOLENT.
THE JOURNALIST WHO LOST HER
HEARING WOULD BE BARRED BECAUSE
SHE WAS SEPARATED FROM
PROTESTERS.
THE CHILD PEPPER SPRAYED BY SPD
WOULD BE BARRED BASED ON THE
ASSERTION THAT PROTESTERS WERE
PUSHING SPD AND THEREFORE THE
GATHERING WAS VIOLENT.
WE CAN'T LEAVE THESE
DETERMINATIONS TO THE
SUBJECTIVE OPINION OF SPD OR
ITS SYMPATHIZERS.
I ASK COUNCIL MEMBERS TO AMEND
THIS ACTION.
LASTLY, END THE ISRAELI
EXCHANGES.
>> WE'LL RETURN TO WILL IF HE'S
PRESENT LATER ON.
>> REMEMBER TO PRESS STAR SIX.
>> I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT
TWO.
TWO WEEKS AGO I SAT IN THE SAME
PLACE LISTENING TO QUOTE-
UNQUOTE EXPERTS TALKING ABOUT
HOW SEATTLE LACKS RESOURCES TO
ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN
THE COMMUNITY.
NOT A SINGLE PERSON IS OFFERING
COMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTIONS.
CALLING 911 GUARANTEES POLICE
INTERVENTION.
IN WHAT WORLD DO YOU THINK THAT
SOMEONE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL
HEALTH CRISIS WANTS AN ARMED
FORCE TO PROVIDE AID?
THIS IS NOT A SOLUTION, WHEN
MORE THAN HALF YOUR
CONSTITUENTS ARE TERRIFIED OF
THE POLICE AND RIGHTLY SO.
AFTER A LONG-STANDING HISTORY
OF MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS, WE
HAVE HAD LIVES TAKEN BY SPD
BECAUSE THE OFFICERS ARE
UNTRAINED AND UNEXPERIENCED,
AND SHOULDN'T BE DEALING WITH
MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS.
ANOTHER THING PEOPLE ARE
NEEDING, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO
THINK ABOUT THE RACISM AND THE
ACCESSIBILITY PROBLEMS OF
POSTING A MEETING AT 9:30 A.M.
ON A WEEKDAY.
THESE MEETINGS ARE INHERENTLY
RACIST AND INACCESSIBLE.
YOU WANT PEOPLE TO BE AWAY FROM
WORK FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF
TIME DURING THE WORKDAY.
GET IT TOGETHER.
YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE AN
EXAMPLE FOR THE REST OF THIS
COUNTRY AND I'M ASHAMED OF YOU.
POLICE CAN'T POLICE THEMSELVES.
ABOLISH SPD AND DO YOUR JOB.
>> NEXT, ALANNA.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A
MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR CHARLEENA
LYLES.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT IS ELLIS HARRIS.
ELLIS?
>> HELLO, I'M ELLIS HARRIS FROM
DISTRICT 7.
I WANT TO RESTORE THE RIGHT OF
ACTION TO ITS LITERAL FORM.
AS WE CAN SEE, THIS NARROW
DEFINITION EXCLUDES EVERY
PERSON AT A PROTEST.
I DEMAND COUNCIL MEMBERS TO
UTILIZE THE RIGHT OF ACTION.
SPD DEPLOYED WEAPONS AGAINST
HUNDREDS IN THE LAST 13 MONTHS
CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES.
WHAT DOES LESS THAN LETHAL
MEAN?
SOME HAVE LOST HEARING FROM
SPD.
THESE THINGS ARE GOING TO
CONTINUE TO GET WORSE AND WORSE
UNLESS COUNCIL DOES SOMETHING
ABOUT IT AND STANDS UP, AND
CHANGES THE LANGUAGE EVEN FROM
LESS THAN LETHAL.
JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT
BULLETS DOESN'T MEAN THEY CAN'T
KILL SOMEBODY.
WE SAW THIS JULY 25th.
I WOULD QUESTION Y'ALL TO GO
BACK AND WATCH WHAT POLICE DID
TO OUR CITIZENS, AND THEY
BRUTALIZED PEOPLE.
IT WAS LIKE WATCHING THE 60s,
BUT THE MODERN DAY VERSION,
WHERE PEOPLE WERE PROTESTING
AND JUST BEING BOMBARDED WITH
TEAR GAS AND PEPPER SPRAY,
BECAUSE A JUDGE GRANTED THEM TO
GO DO THAT.
>> THANK YOU, ELLIS.
THAT WAS OUR LAST PUBLIC
SPEAKER.
WE'LL MOVE INTO THE ITEMS OF
THE AGENDA TODAY.
I WANT TO NOTE COUNCIL
PRESIDENT GONZALEZ HAS JOINED
THE MEETING.
AND I BELIEVE COUNCIL MEMBER
LEWIS MAY HAVE AS WELL?
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> PLEASE READ THE FIRST ITEM
INTO THE AGENDA.
>> AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE,
APPOINTMENT OF MEGHAN McCANN AS
COURT ADMINISTRATOR OF THE
SEATTLE MUNICIPAL COURT.
>> AS COURT ADMINISTRATOR, MEG
WILL LEAD THE OPERATIONAL
FUNCTIONS OF THIS COURT.
HER FIRST DAY WITH THE COURT
WAS JUNE 1st.
OUR FEEDBACK WAS CRUCIALLY
IMPORTANT.
WE PARTNERED WITH THE SEATTLE
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
TO GATHER STAFF INPUT, DO
SEVERAL FOCUS GROUPS AND DURING
THE INTERVIEW PROCESS, MORE
THAN 50 STAFF MEMBERS
PARTICIPANTED IN STAFF
INTERVIEWS.
AS CURRENT ADMINISTRATOR, SHE
OVERSEES THE COURT'S OPERATIONS
AND HAS A DEMONSTRATED
COMMITMENT TO RACIAL EQUITY AND
INCLUSION AND RELATIONSHIP
BUILDING.
AS YOU KNOW, THISES A
TRANSFORMATIVE TIME FOR SEATTLE
MUNICIPAL COURT.
I'M VERY CONFIDENT THAT MEG
BRINGS THE NECESSARY
LEADERSHIP, EXPERIENCE AND
SKILL SET TO HELP US BE A COURT
THAT OUR COMMUNITY CAN TRUST,
AND I'M EXCITED TO HAVE HER ON
BOARD.
MEG CAN SHARE MORE WITH YOU ON
HER BACKGROUND AND HER VISION
FOR THIS ROLE.
>> MEG, THANK YOU FOR JOINING
US.
LET'S HEAR A BIT ABOUT YOUR
BACKGROUND AND HOW YOU HOPE TO
INFLUENCE THE MUNICIPAL COURT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, JUDGE
GREGORY, FOR PROVIDING ME WITH
THIS OPPORTUNITY.
IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE
WITH YOU WHY I WANT TO BE YOUR
NEXT COURT ADMINISTRATOR.
THE COURT AND CITY ARE AT A
PIVOTAL JUNCTURE AND WE HAVE A
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A
SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR THE
PEOPLE WE SERVE AND CREATE A
COURT THAT HELPS PEOPLE.
I BELIEVE IN THE MISSION OF THE
COURT.
IT'S FUNDAMENTAL TO OUR
DEMOCRACY AND COMMUNITY'S WELL-
BEING.
I'LL KNOW THAT I'M SUCCESSFUL
IN THE SYSTEM WHEN WE HAVE A
SYSTEM THAT'S TRANSPARENT AND
TRUSTED BY THE PEOPLE WE SERVE,
AND STAKE HOLDERS FEEL
ACCOUNTABLE AND CREATE FAIR
OUTCOMES.
I'LL KNOW I'M SUCCESSFUL WHEN
THE PERFECT DATA INDICATES THAT
WE HAVE BEEN RESOURCEFUL AND
THAT WE HAVE EARNED THE TRUST
AND RESPECT OF THE COMMUNITY.
I'M EXCITED TO TAKE THE COURT'S
VISION AND I'M AN EXPERIENCING
LAWYER, LEADER AND DIVERSITY
AND INCLUSIVETY LEADER.
I'M SKILLED AT BUILDINGS
SYSTEMS TO UNDERSTAND WHERE
OPPRESSION EXISTS AND
REIMAGINING DELIVERING THOSE
SERVICES WITH THE COMMUNITIES
WE SERVE.
AND I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR
THOUGHTFUL ORGANIZATION TO
DELIVER SUCCESSFULLY AND
IMPLEMENT THE PROJECT
REPRESENTING A UNIQUE
OPPORTUNITY TO PUSH THE COURT
TO BE MORE EFFICIENT BECAUSE
WE'LL NEED TO LOOK AT EVERY
PROCESS.
THE ROLE ALLOWS ME TO BRING MY
PASSION FOR PUBLIC SERVICE AND
EXTENSIVE LEADING IN CHANGE TO
A COURT THAT'S READY TO BE ON
THE LEADING EDGE OF THE LEGAL
SYSTEM.
DURING MY FIRST WEEK OF THE
COURT, I SHARED A QUOTE WITH
THE STAFF THAT'S REALLY
UPLIFTED OTHERS: WE WILL NOT
GO BACK TO NORMAL.
NORMAL NEVER WAS.
OUR PRE-CORONA EXISTENCE WAS
NOT NORMAL, OTHER THAN WE
NORMALIZED RAGE, HARDING, HATE
AND LAUGH.
WE ARE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO
STITCH A NEW GARMENT.
I BELIEVE IF WE LIFT OTHERS UP
AND INVITE OTHERS IN, WE CAN
IMAGINE A COURT AND COURTHOUSE
THAT SERVES EVERYONE.
I'M EXCITED TO BE THAT COURT OF
THE FUTURE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT OVERVIEW
OF YOUR BACKGROUND AND YOUR
INTEREST IN SERVING IN THIS NEW
ROLE.
YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH RIGOROUS
INTERVIEWS AND SCREENING WITH
SIX ROUNDS OF INTERVIEWS, FOCUS
GROUP DELIBERATIONS AND THE
RSGI TEAM AND FULL STAFF AS
WELL.
CONGRATULATIONS FOR GETTING TO
THIS STAGE.
I WANT TO OPEN IT UP TO
COLLEAGUES FOR THOUGHTS OR
QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
I'M NOT SEEING ANY RAISED
HANDS.
GONZALEZ?
>> SOMETIMES I HAVE THE RAISED
HAND FUNCTION ON ZOOM AND
SOMETIMES I DON'T.
THANK YOU, CHAIR HERBOLD FOR
GIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK
A FEW QUESTIONS HERE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING
HERE WITH US THIS MORNING.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF WORK THAT
THE SEATTLE MUNICIPAL COURT HAS
DONE UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF
PRESIDING JUDGE GREGORY, WHICH
I'M GRATEFUL FOR IN TERMS OF
LOOK MORE DEEPLY INTO
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES TO
PEOPLE OF COLOR AND THOSE
EXPERIENCES HOMELESSNESS AND
POVERTY.
I WOULD LIKE TO GET A SENSE OF
HOW YOU SEE THE COURT
ADMINISTRATOR PLAYING A ROLE IN
THE WORK OF THE JUDGE AND THE
COMMUNITY'S DEMAND AND DESIRE
TO MOVE AWAY FROM, YOU KNOW,
AND I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION I
WOULD LIKE TO ASK.
>> THANK YOU.
I SEE MY PRIMARY ROLE AS
BRINGING IF COURT'S WORK TO
LIFE.
ONE IS UNDERSTANDING -- LET ME
STEP BACK.
ONE IS THE WAY WE DELIVER
SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, AND
THEN OPERATIONS AND THEN THE
WORKPLACE.
SO IN TERMS OF SERVING THE
PUBLIC, I LEARNED THE NUMBER
ONE WAY I'LL DO THAT IS BY
PARTNERING WITH THE COMMUNITY
AND TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW
PEOPLE WALK THROUGH OUR
SERVICES AND WHERE PEOPLE GET
STUCK OR WHERE THEY ARE
UNDERSERVED IN THE PROCESS.
WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF
LICENSING, I DID THAT WITH A
TEAM.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE EXAMPLES IS
GETTING THE THIRD GENDER OPTION
OF GENDER IN LICENSES.
WE HAD CREATED THIS BECAUSE
WE'D MADE IT INCREDIBLY HARD
FOR PEOPLE TO CHANGE THEIR
GENDER ON LICENSE OR ID CARDS.
NOW I'M UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE'S
EXPERIENCE WITH THE SYSTEMS AND
WE DEVELOPED AS BARRIER-FREE OF
A PROCESS AS WE COULD TO ALLOW
THEM TO CHANGE THEIR GENDER AND
NOT CHARGING A FEE.
WE LEARNED ABOUT THE NEGATIVE
IMPACTS OF FINES AND FEES, AND
REALLY TRIED TO THINK ABOUT HOW
WE MOVE PEOPLE THROUGH QUICKLY.
WE ARE MAKING SURE IT'S EASY
AND ACCESSIBLE AS POSSIBLE FOR
THOSE WE SERVE.
>> THANK YOU.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT GONZALEZ?
>> YES.
THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF
DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS WITHIN THIS
COURT THAT MAKE UP THE FAMILY
OF SERVICES THAT YOU'RE
REFERRING TO WHO ARE ENGAGED
WITH THE COURT.
YOU KNOW, IT'S A UNIONIZED WORK
FORCE AT THE SEATTLE MEME
COURT.
I WOULD LIKE TO GET A SENSE
FROM YOU ABOUT HOW YOU SEE,
WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE YOU
HAVE WITH UNIONIZED WORK
FORCES.
AND OF COURSE THE MUNICIPAL
COURT HAD TO MAKE DIFFICULT
DECISIONS IN THE FACE OF DIRE
ECONOMIC WORK FORCING LAST
YEAR.
I WANT A SENSE OF SORT OF WHAT
KIND OF EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE
WITH UNIONIZED WORK FORCES AND
WHAT YOUR VISION IS FOR SORT OF
THE MODEL OF HOW WE -- HOW THE
COURT PROVIDES THOSE SERVICES
RELATED TO PROBATION IN A WAY
THAT'S FOCUSED ON HARM
REDUCTION AS OPPOSED TO
TRANSACTIONAL SUPERVISION.
>> THE DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING
HAS MEMBERS IN FOUR DIFFERENT
UNIONS.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EMPLOYEES
HAVE A SAFE AND FAIR WORKPLACE.
I SHARE THAT COMMITMENT AS
WELL.
AS THE DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING,
I JOINED THE AGENCY AFTER A
HEARTBREAKING SCANDAL THREE AND
A HALF YEARS AGO, WHERE THE
FRONT PAGE OF THE SEATTLE TIMES
EXPOSED THAT THE AGENCY HAD
BEEN SHARING INFORMATION WITH
ICE.
PRIOR TO MY ROLE, THEY SAW
THEMSELVES AS BEING A GATE
KEEPER FOR SAYING NO TO PEOPLE.
WE WORKED REALLY HARD AS A
REGULATORY AGENCY TO PARTNER
WITH LICENSEES.
WE BELIEVE PEOPLE WILL COMPLY
IF YOU GIVE THEM THE TOOLS THEY
NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
SO WE WENT TO A CULTURE OF
PARTNERSHIP.
I WOULD EXPECT THAT SHOULD
HAPPEN WITH PROBATION SERVICES
AND HELP PEOPLE GET TO A BETTER
PLACE.
THE MINDSET SHOULD BE, I'M HERE
TO SUPPORT YOU AND ENERGY YOU
TO SUCCEED.
THERE WILL BE A LOT OF WORK.
ER DIRECTIONS THERE'S A LOT OF
WORK.
PEOPLE HAVE SPENT THEIR CAREERS
BEING TAUGHT TO PERFORM THEIR
ROLE UNDER ONE MINDSET, AND I'M
ASKING THEM TO SHIFT THAT.
I THINK HAVING CLEAR
CONVERSATIONS WITH PARTNERS AND
LABORERS WILL BE FUNDAMENTAL IN
MAKING THAT TRANSFORMATION
HAPPEN.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER
QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU, CHAIR HERBOLD.
>> THANK YOU FOR ASKING AN
IMPORTANT QUESTION.
I THINK THE REPORT HAS AN
ACCOMPANYING CITY AUDITOR
REPORT AS WELL AND REALLY
FOCUSED ON TRANSFORMING
SERVICES AND WORKING IN TANDEM
WITH THE MUNICIPAL COURT.
IT'S A BIG PART OF WHY WE ARE
WHERE WE ARE TODAY, THANKS TO
THE LEADERSHIP OF PRESIDING
JUDGE GREGORY.
IF
YOU HAVE PROVIDED EIGHT PAGES
OF WRITTEN ANSWERS TO OUR
WRITTEN QUESTIONS.
ONE OF THE QUESTIONS, YOU NOTED
THAT ONE OF THE THINGS YOU WERE
EXCITED ABOUT WORKING ON WAS
DEVELOPING A ROBUST DEVELOPMENT
MEASURE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES
ACCOUNTABILITY TO ALL THE
COURT'S OPERATIONS.
COYOU TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT
LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT
TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
MEAN TO YOU?
>> WE HAVE A REALLY CLEAR
VISION OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO
NOW.
I LIKE TO THINK ABOUT THE
VISION WE HAVE FOR THE
DESTINATION.
OUR DESTINATION IS HAWAII.
I IMAGINE WE'RE FLYING A PLANE
THERE.
WE NODE TOO KNOW, ARE WE ON
TRACK TO REACH OUR DESTINATION?
>> IT WAS A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT
OF USERS OF THE COURT, ADVOCACY
FOR THE BUDGET OF THE JUSTICE
THAT FIRST POINTED US IN THIS
DIRECTION.
CREATING SYSTEMS THAT ALLOW FOR
THAT CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT BY
HEARING FROM FOLKS WHO ARE
USING YOUR SERVICES IS, I
THINK, REALLY IMPORTANT FOR
REALIZING THAT VISION.
SO ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
QUESTIONS?
>> THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE THAT CLARIFICATION
AND I'VE APPRECIATED THE
COURT'S RECEPTIVENESS IN THE
ENSUING YEARS WITH THE
OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN THIS
REALLY IMPORTANT WORK.
I WANT TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH
YOU ALL TO BE SURE AS WE ARE
TRANSITIONING AS A SOCIETY IN
SEATTLE, AS WE ENVEGAS A
COMMUNITY IN WHICH WE AREN'T
ENCARS RATING COMMUNITY
MEMBERS, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT
HOW TO ENGAGE A TRANSFORMATION
TO OTHER BODIES OF WORK.
WE TALK ABOUT JUST TRANSITION
AND THE CONTEXT OF A CLIMATE
CHANGE AND MOVING FROM A PRETTY
GOOD ECONOMY TO A GREAT
ECONOMY.
I DON'T KNOW HOW CAN TRANSITION
FOR FOLKS WITHIN THE COURT WHO
RELY ON THESE JOBS TO SUPPORT
THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
I KNOW THEY ARE NERVOUS ABOUT
BEING LEFT OUT AND BEING LEFT
WITHOUT A CAREER.
I'M INTERESTED IN CONTINUING TO
HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU ALL
ABOUT HOW WE CAN COME UP WITH A
PLAN TO TRANSITION FOR THE WORK
FORCE AS WE CONTINUE TO
IMPLEMENT YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS
AND AS WE CONTINUE TO SERVE HOW
TO TRANSFORM THE MUNICIPAL
COURT SYSTEM AS A WHOLE.
APPRECIATE THE ONGOING
CONVERSATIONS THAT I GET TO
HAVE WITH YOU ALL AND MEMBERS
AS WELL OP THESE REALLY
IMPORTANT ISSUES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS?
>> I APPRECIATED THE ABILITY TO
BE TABLE MEET MRS. McCANN AND
JUDGE GREGORY PRIOR TO THE
HEARING AND ASK QUESTIONS AND
GET TO KNOW THIS NOMINEE TO BE
THE ADMINISTRATOR.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO
RECOGNIZE WHAT THIS HAS DONE TO
COURTS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY,
AND JUST THE RESPONSIVETON
CRITICISMS OF HOW THE COURT
SYSTEM IS WORKING.
I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT
TO RECOGNIZE AND LIFT UP JUDGE
GREGORY'S LEADERSHIP THROUGH
THE COURT.
JUDGE GREGORY, THANK YOU FOR
YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THANK YOU
FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
>> IF THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, I MOVE
THE APPOINTMENT.
I MOVE APPOINTMENT 01950 AS
LISTED ON THE AGENDA.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU.
WILL THE CLERK CALL THE ROLL.
>> GONZALEZ?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
>> YES.
>> SAWANT.
>> YES.
>> AND HERBOLD.
>> YES.
>> FIVE IN FAVOR.
>> CONGRATULATIONS.
MEG, APPRECIATE YOU AND WELCOME
TO THE SEATTLE MULTIPLE COURT.
JUDGE GREGORY, I'LL SEE YOU
LATER ON THIS AFTERNOON.
LET'S MOVE ON TO THE SECOND
ITEM ON THE AGENDA ITEM NUMBER
TWO, COUNCIL INVESTMENTS IN
HEALTH AND CRISIS RESPONSE.
>> GREAT.
SO IF WE COULD START WITH A
QUICK ROUND OF INTRODUCTIONS
BEFORE WE DIVE IN?
>> I THINK YOU'RE ON MUTE.
TODAY WE'RE GOING TO PRESENT AN
UPDATE ON THE 2021 BUDGET.
I WANT TO PASS THE PRESENTATION
TO TANYA KIM, PRESIDENT OF THE
OPERATIONS.
>> THE PRESENTATION OF COURSE
COVERS THE 2021 COUNCIL BUDGET
ADS, SPECIFICALLY AROUND HEALTH
ONE, OPERATED BY SEATTLE FIRE
DEPARTMENT.
SO WE'RE GOING TO TOSS IT OVER
TO ANDREA.
>> GOOD MORNING.
I'M THE CONTRACT BUDGET MANAGER
FOR OUR DIVISION.
THIS MORNING I'LL BE PROVIDING
THE OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAMS
WITHIN HSD.
STARTING OFF WITH HEALTH ONE,
THE 2021 BUDGET ADDED FUNDS TO
EXPAND THE UNITS FROM ONE TO
THREE UNITS.
OUR SECOND UNIT LAUNCHED THIS
YEAR DURING THE SPRING, AND WE
ANTICIPATE THE THIRD TO LAUNCH
IN THE FALL.
HEALTH ONE IS A PARTNERSHIP
BETWEEN THE SEATTLE FIRE
DEPARTMENT AND HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT AGING AND DISABILITY
SERVICES CASE MANAGERS.
THE TEAM BRINGS UNIQUE SKILLS
AND APPROACHES TO ALL THE
SCENES THEY RESPOND TO.
THE UNITS ARE DESIGNED TO
RESPOND TO INDIVIDUALS
IMMEDIATELY IN THEIR MOMENT OF
NEED AND HELP THEM NAVIGATE
THROUGH THAT DIFFICULT
SITUATION, WHETHER IT BE
MEDICAL CARE, MENTAL HEALTH
CARE, SHELTER OR OTHER SOCIAL
SERVICES.
THE OVERARCHING GOAL IS TO
REDUCE THE IMPACT OF
NONEMERGENT CALLS ON THE
DIVISION AND TO HELP THOSE
CALLS.
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A CASE
STUDY AND IMPACT OF HEALTH
ONE'S WORK.
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO
HIGHLIGHT THAT THIS IS ONE
EXAMPLE AND THAT OVERALL OUR
DATA SHOWS IN THE LAST EIGHT
MONTHS, HEALTH ONE UNITS HAVE
RESPONDED TO NEARLY 540 ALARMS
AND ENROLLED ALMOST 800 CLIENTS
IN REFERRAL HELP.
WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THIS
PARTNERSHIP AND EXCITED TO
EXPAND TO OTHER UNITS.
>> I WANT TO BE SURE THAT FOLKS
DON'T HAVE QUESTIONS.
LET'S JUST CHECK IN.
BASED ON THE HEALTH TWO
EXPANSION THAT OCCURRED IN
APRIL, AND SINCE WE HAVE YOU
FROM HSD HERE, ARE YOU
ANTICIPATING SUFFICIENT
STAFFING FOR THE HEALTH THREE
EXPANSION COMING IN THE FALL?
>> YES, I CAN ANSWER THIS.
YES, WE ARE CONDUCTING THE
HIRING PROCESS CURRENTLY FOR
THE EXPANDED POSITIONS.
SO WE ANTICIPATE WITHIN THE
NEXT MONTH HAVING THAT ALL
FINALIZED THEN STARTING THE
TRAINING FOR THE NEW STAFF, SO
THEY WILL BE READY BY THE FALL.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM
COUNCILMEMBERS BEFORE WE MOVE
ON?
ALL RIGHT.
NO QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU.
>> I'LL MOVE ON TO THE MOBILE
CRISIS TEAM AND RESPONSE TEAM.
THE MEETING AT JUNE 8th, THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND
OUR PARTNERS FROM DESC WERE
HERE AND PRESENTED ON THE
PROGRAM ASPECT OF THEIR WORK.
TODAY I'LL PRESENT ON THE HSD
FUNDED PORTION.
THE CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM IS A
MODEL THAT PARTNERS MENTAL
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, MHPs WITH
SPECIALLY TRAINED POLICE
OFFICERS FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES OR
CRISES.
IN THE 2021 BUDGET, THE CITY
MOVED THE BUDGET OF HSD.
THEY FOCUS ON THE TOP TEN LIST
OF INDIVIDUALS AND LOCATIONS
WITHIN A PRECINCT.
SO EACH PRECINCT GENERATES A
LIST OF TOP TEN CALLS OR
LOCATIONS THAT MAY BE RELATED
TO SPECIFICALLY BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH.
MENTAL HEALTH INDIVIDUALS ARE
CREATING A TAILORED PLAN THAT
POLICE CAN USE IF A MENTAL
HEALTH OFFICIAL CANNOT BE ON
THE SCENE.
THIS INCLUDES COORDINATION WITH
EXTERNAL PROVIDERS AND ALLOWS
POLICE OFFICERS TO HAVE A
DETAILED PLAN ON HOW TO RESPOND
TO SOMEBODY IN A MENTAL HEALTH
CRISIS.
THE TEAM ALSO PROVIDES PHONE
AND VIRTUAL FOLLOW-UPS TO
INDIVIDUALED AND COULD BE
DISPATCHED TO SITUATIONS
SPECIFIC OF HIGH UTILIZERS OF
THE 911 SYSTEM.
IF IT'S AND INDIVIDUAL THAT LAW
ENFORCEMENT AND THE CRISIS
RESPONSE TEAM IS FAMILIAR WITH,
THEY MAY JUST DISPATCH A TEAM
OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
TO RESPOND TO THOSE TYPES OF
CALLS.
>> AND CAN YOU SPEAK TO WHETHER
OR NOT YOU PERCEIVE ANY
PROBLEMATIC CHANGES OR SHIFTS
RESULTING FROM THE CONTRACT
MOVING FROM SPD TO HSD?
>> THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.
AT THIS TIME WE HAVE NOT
DISCUSSED ANY SHIFTS.
BUT I THINK THAT WE HAVE THE
WORK GOING ON, AS YOU KNOW,
WITH THE CITY'S SPRINT
INITIATIVE.
THERE IS DISCUSSION IN THE CITY
PLANNING ON HOW TO BEST USE THE
CRISIS RESPONSE PROGRAMS THAT
WE CURRENTLY HAVE.
>> MY UNDERSTANDING FROM
TALKING TO SPD IS THE OFFICERS
AT THE CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM,
AND MANY OF THEM HAVE BEEN
MOVED INTO PATROL OR LEFT THE
DEPARTMENT.
I THINK THERE WAS FIVE OF THEM.
I THINK THERE'S ONLY ONE OR TWO
LEFT IN THE CRT RIGHT NOW.
SO THAT REDUCES THE POTENTIAL
FOR PAIRING THE DESC EXPERTS
WITH AN OFFICER.
IF IN FACT THE SPD PAIRING PART
OF THIS PROGRAM IS BECOMING
LESS USED BECAUSE OF STAFFING
ISSUES AT SPD, WHETHER OR NOT
THAT CREATES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR
HSD TO LOOK AT OTHER WAYS TO
EXPAND THIS IMPORTANT FUNCTION.
I JUST SEE HSD NOT JUST IN A
FUNDING ROLE BUT IN A PROGRAM
DEVELOPMENT ROLE.
IF THE PROGRAM IS NOT
FUNCTIONING IN THE WAY IT WAS
DESIGNED BECAUSE OF STAFFING
ISSUES AT SPD, I THINK THAT
CREATES OPPORTUNITIES AND
CHALLENGES.
NOT SEEING ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
WE CAN MOVE ON?
>> THANK YOU.
I'LL PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE
MOBILE CRISIS TEAM WORK,
INCLUDING A $1 MILLION
EXPANSION OF THE MOBILE CRISIS
TEAM.
HSD IS PARTNERING WITH KING
COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN
SERVICES TO PROVIDE THE FUNDING
TO THEIR CONTRACT, WHICH IS
WITH DESC, DOWNTOWN EMERGENCY
SERVICES CENTER, WHICH ALREADY
SUPPORTS COUNTY WIDE SERVICES
FOR THE MOBILE CRISIS TEAM.
AS A SIDE NOTE, THE OUR CRISIS
RESPONSE SYSTEM REALLY STARTED
TO DEVELOP ON THE KING COUNTY
SIDE IN EARLY 2008 TO 2011-12
AS PART OF THE MENTAL HEALTH
AND DRUG DEPENDENCY SALES TAX
THE COUNTY COLLECTS FOR MENTAL
HEALTH SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND
COURT SERVICES.
THE CRISIS SOLUTIONS CENTER
PROVIDES RESOURCES FOR POLICE,
FIRE, MEDICS, MENTAL HEALTH
PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER FIRST
RESPONDERSES TO RESPOND TO
INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS.
IT IS DESIGNED TO BE AN
ALTERNATIVE TO JAIL OR
HOSPITALIZATION.
THERE IS THE CRISIS DIVERSION
FACILITY, WHICH IS A FACILITY
THAT ACCEPTS INDIVIDUALS WHO
ARE IN CRISIS THAT ARE REFERRED
BY FIRST RESPONDERS IN KING
COUNTY.
THE CLIENTS RECEIVE VARIOUS
TYPES OF STABILIZATION,
MONITORING AND REFERRALS TO
OTHER RESOURCES.
THE CRISIS SOLUTION CENTER ALSO
INCLUDES WHAT'S CALLED THE
CRISIS DIVERSION INTERIM
SERVICES, DESIGNED TO BE A STEP-
DOWN PROGRAM WHICH ADMITS
CLIENTS DIRECTLY REFERRED FROM
THE CRISIS DIVERSION FACILITY.
AFTER THEY ARE STABILIZED FROM
A CRISIS STANDPOINT, IF THAT
INDIVIDUAL HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO
RETURN TO, MAYBE HOMELESS OR
NOT HAVE A LIVING SITUATION
THAT WOULD FURTHER ADVANCE
THEIR RECOVERY, THEY CAN GO TO
THE INTERIM SERVICES AND MAY
STAY UP TO 14 DAYS.
THEY ARE CONNECTED WITH AN
ONGOING MENTAL HEALTH OR
SUBSTANCE ABUSE THERAPY TO HELP
THEIR OVERALL HEALTH AND
DEVELOP THE SKILLS TO PREVENT
CRISES IN THE FUTURE.
ALSO BOTH OF OUR DIVERSION
CRISIS FACILITY AND SERVICES
ARE LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF
SEATTLE, WHICH IS A GREAT
RESOURCE FOR SEATTLE, BECAUSE
IT'S CLOSE.
BUT THE PROGRAM IS COUNTY-WIDE.
AS I MENTIONED, THE PRIMARY
FUND SOURCE FOR THE CRISIS
SOLUTIONS CENTER IS THE MENTAL
ILLNESS AND DEPENDENCY SALES
TAX FUND.
THE THIRD COMPONENT IS A MOBILE
CRISIS TEAM.
THIS TEAM IS COMPRISED OF
PROFESSIONALS WHO ACCEPT
REFERRALS FROM MEDICAL, POLICE,
FIRE, EMT, MEDICS, TO PROVIDE
SERVICES TO THOSE EXPERIENCING
A CRISIS.
THIS IS A 43-MEMBER TEAM.
EACH TEAM HAS TWO MENTAL HEALTH
PROFESSIONALS WHO ALSO HAVE
TRAINING IN DEESCALATION AND
CRISIS RESPONSE AND SUBSTANCE
ABUSE DISORDERS.
THE TEAM ACCEPTS REFERRALS FROM
FIRST RESPONDERS AND FROM
CRISIS CONNECTIONS, WHICH
OPERATES WHAT WE KNOW AS 211,
NOT ONLY FOR SEATTLE AND KING
COUNTY BUT STATEWIDE.
THEN OUR LAST IS THE DESIGNATED
CRISIS RESPONDERS.
THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS
THE COUNTY DESIGNATED MENTAL
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, SO THAT
MAY BE MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE
COMMITTEE.
THEY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO
DETAIN SOMEBODY INVOLUNTARILY
FOR A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE IF
THEY ARE AT DANGER TO
THEMSELVES OR OTHERS OR
PROPERTY, AND THEY CAN DETAIN
SOMEBODY IF THEY ARE DISABLED
AND A HARM TO THEMSELVES.
THE GOAL IS TO STABILIZE THE
INDIVIDUAL IN THE CRISIS IN THE
COMMUNITY.
THE TEAM HAS THE ABILITY TO
INTERVENE WITHIN THEIR OWN
COMMUNITY, MEETING THE PERSON
WHERE THEY'RE AT.
THEY IDENTIFY OF RESOURCES ON
THE SCENE AND HELP PROVIDE THAT
CONNECTION.
THEY COULD EVEN TRANSPORT
SOMEBODY IF NEEDED.
THEIR GOAL IS TO PREVENT AND
STABILIZE, AND PROVIDE
RESOURCES SO THERE'S NO FURTHER
NEED FROM INTERVENTION.
THE PROGRAM OVERALL IS FUNDED
BY -- DURING 2020, THE SALES
TAX COLLECTION OVERALL WAS DOWN
AND THAT RESULTED IN A SHORTAGE
FOR THE PROGRAM OVERALL.
IT WAS AMAZING THAT THE CITY
STEPPED IN AND WAS ABLE TO FILL
THAT GAP.
IN ADDITION TO FILLING THAT
GAP, THERE WAS A LITTLE EXCESS
REVENUE AND WE WORKED WITH DEOC
AND THE COUNTY TO PROPOSE A
PILOT FOR THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
RESPONSE TEAM.
THIS TEAM WILL WORK IN
COLLABORATION WITH THE EXISTING
MOBILE RESPONSE TEAM AND CRISIS
RESPONSE TEAM.
IN ADDITION TO INCLUDING A
MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL,
THIS ALSO INCLUDES TWO PEER
NAVIGATORS.
THEY ARE DESIGNED TO BE ROLE
MODELS AND THEY ARE SOMEBODY
WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE.
THAT MEANS SOMEBODY WITH EITHER
AND EXISTING MENTAL ILLNESS,
SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER, OR
HAVE HAD A CRISIS OR ISSUE
WITHIN OUR SYSTEM.
SO THEY ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT IT'S
LIKE TO BE ON THE RECEIVING END
OF THE CRISIS RESPONSE.
THE PEER NAVIGATORS ARE TRAINED
AND PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT
REALLY HELPED THE CLIENT IN
THEIR GREATEST MOMENT OF NEED.
THEY CAN SPEED SPEAK TO WHAT IT
FEELS LIKE AND HELP DEESCALATE
ANY SITUATION.
THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS PREVENTING
ANOTHER CRISIS AND GETTING
TREATMENT.
THIS START INSTEAD APRIL AND IT
WILL RUN THROUGH THE END OF
DECEMBER.
WE ARE REALLY EXCITED.
IT'S UP AND RUNNING RIGHT NOW.
I DON'T HAVE ANY DATA YET
BECAUSE IT'S SO NEW, BUT IT'S
ALREADY PROVIDING THAT
INTENSIVE FOLLOW-UP WITH THOSE
INDIVIDUALS THAT THEY ARE
ENCOUNTERING THAT ARE IN SOME
SORT OF MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.
WE WANT TO MEET THE INDIVIDUAL
WHERE THEY'RE AT AND PREVENT
THE OVERUTILIZATION OF 911.
SO DOES THIS ADDRESS THE ISSUES
THAT LED TO THE CRISIS OR THE
BEHAVIOR THAT CONTRIBUTED TO
THEIR HIGH UTILIZATION OF 911?
>> HOW LONG DOES THIS PILOT,
WHICH IS FOCUSED ON DOING
FOLLOW-UP, OR ANOTHER CRISIS
INTERVENTION HELPED PREVIOUSLY?
I UNDERSTOOD YOU TO SAY THERE'S
A LIST CREATED FOR THE
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESPONSE TEAM
TO DO ONGOING VISITS.
HOW DOES THAT DIFFER FROM THE
FOLLOW-UP WORK THAT TO ADS CASE
MANAGERS DO FOR HEALTH ONE?
>> THAT'S A REALLY GOOD
QUESTION.
THEY'RE VERY SIMILAR.
THE PRIMARY DIFFERENCE IS THE
AVENUE THAT THE CALL COMES IN.
THE AVENUE FOR THIS TEAM, FOR
THE MENTAL HEALTH
PROFESSIONALS, IT'S PRIMARILY
THROUGH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OUR
CRISIS RESPONSE SYSTEM.
THE ADS CASE MANAGERS THAT WORK
WITH OUR HEALTH ONE TEAM, THEY
ARE RECEIVING ALL THEIR CALLS
THROUGH A CALL THAT COMES INTO
FIRE 911.
THE DIVISION DID END UP BEING A
LITTLE DIFFERENT.
RIGHT NOW WE DON'T KNOW.
THE COUNTY HAS INFORMED US THAT
THEY ARE COMMITTED TO FUND THE
CRISIS SOLUTION CENTER.
BUT WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE
HOW THE REVENUE COMES IN.
>> THANK YOU.
ON THE ISSUE OF A DESIGNATED
CRISIS RESPONDER, I UNDERSTAND
THE LOCAL CHRIST TEAM TAKES
REFERRALS FROM THOSE
RESPONDERS, BUT HAS THERE BEEN
THOUGHT OF PUTTING A RESPONDER
ON THE TEAM ITSELF?
>> THAT'S AN INTERESTING
QUESTION.
I DON'T KNOW IF THEY HAVE EVER
CONSIDERED THAT.
WE CAN ASK THE COUNTY IF THEY
HAVE EVER CONSIDERED THAT.
>> AND THE REASON I ASK, I
THINK THERE'S ONLY FOUR FOR THE
COUNTY AND IT'S DIFFICULT I
THINK THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY TO
GET THESE RESPONDERS TO ADDRESS
THE ISSUES FOLKS HAVE WHEN THEY
ARE LIKELY TO HAVE SHOWN
EVIDENCE THAT THEY HAVE OR WILL
HARM THEMSELVES OR OTHERS.
JUST LOOKING TO SEE IF THERE
ARE QUESTIONS FROM
COUNCILMEMBERS HERE?
NO.
>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.
THIS IS JUST PROVIDING AN
EXAMPLE OF THE WORK OF OUR
PARTNERSHIP WITH SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT AND DESC FOR THE
CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM.
OVERALL, ALL THESE INVESTMENTS
ARE DESIGNED TO MEET PEOPLE
WHERE THEY'RE AT AND RESPOND TO
THE CRISES IN THAT MOMENT.
WE HOPE TO PREVENT FURTHER
ENTRY INTO OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SYSTEM.
I THINK NEXT WE HAVE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS.
>> THAT THE REALLY CONCLUDES
OUR PRESENTATION.
WE NEED TO THANK ANDREA.
MOST OF THAT WAS SCRIPTED AND
SHE WENT OFF SCRIPT, SO I WANT
TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO
COME BACK.
WE'RE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY
QUESTIONS.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION ON THE
ORGANIZATION OF THE WORK WITHIN
HSD.
WE HAVE HAD THE PRESENTATION TO
BE SAFE AND THRIVING
COMMUNITIES DIVISION AND HEARD
ABOUT WHAT FUNCTIONS ARE FUNDED
OUT OF THAT DIVISION.
IS THERE ANY EXPLORATION WITHIN
HSD OF MOVING THE OTHER
FUNCTIONS WE HEARD ABOUT TODAY
ON INTO THE SAFE AND THRIVING
COMMUNITIES DIVISION?
>> THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT SOON
WE'LL HAVE THE LEADERSHIP AND
CAPACITY TO DO A DEEP DIVE AND
LOOK AT OUR INVESTMENTS.
OF COURSE WE WANT TO FOCUS ON
THE COMMUNITY AT THE CENTER.
IF THAT MAKES SENSE, WE CAN
ALWAYS HAVE DOTTED LINES TOO.
WE HAVE SOME EVEN WITHIN THE
SAFE AND THRIVING COMMISSION,
SO WE'LL EXPLORE ALL OPTIONS,
WHATEVER MAKES SENSE WITHOUT
DISRUPTION.
ABSOLUTELY.
>> I'M LOOKING FOR A RAISED
HAND, NOT SEEING ANY.
SO WITH THAT, I WANT TO THANK
YOU FOR JOINING US.
IT WAS GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU ON
ALL THE WORK YOU'RE DOING TO
HELP THE CRISIS RESPONSE ON THE
STREET, AND LOOK FORWARD TO
YOUR ONGOING WORK.
I REMEMBERED ONE OTHER
QUESTION.
I THINK IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A
STUDY ASSOCIATED WITH THE
MOBILE CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM
ACTION?
THE AGENCY THAT RECEIVES THE
FUNDS SHOULD SUBMIT A REPORT ON
HOW IT WAS DISPERSED, SO I WANT
TO BE SURE THAT DOESN'T GET LOST
IN THE SHUFFLE THERE.
>> YES, WE'LL BE WORKING WITH
DESC AND KING COUNTY TO PROVIDE
A REPORT.
WE ARE AWARE.
>> ALL RIGHT.
I'D ALMOST FORGOTTEN.
GREAT.
THANKS AGAIN.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
>> THANK YOU.
>> PLEASE READ IN THE NEXT
ITEM.
>> ITEM NUMBER 120105,
ORDINANCE RELATING SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT BANNING THE
OWNERSHIP, PURCHASE, RENT,
STORAGE OR USE OF LESS LETHAL
WEAPONS.
>> I THINK I'M JUST GOING TO
GET TO LISA'S PRESENTATION.
LET ME JUST REAL QUICKLY, THE
LEGISLATION ITSELF THAT'S
BEFORE US TODAY HAS BEEN
INTRODUCED.
THIS IS THE FIRST VERSION OF
THE NEW BILL THAT HAS ACTUALLY
BEEN INTRODUCED ON THE
INTRODUCTION REFERRAL CALENDAR
AS OF THIS WEEK, FOLLOWING THE
ENGAGEMENT WITH THE U.S.
DISASTER AND CONSENT DECREE
MONITOR FOR USE OF FORCE
POLICIES.
WE LAST VOTED ON AN
UNINTRODUCED BILL, A MOTION TO
SEND THE DRAFT LEGISLATION TO
THE MONITOR AND THE DOJ FOR
THEIR REVIEW.
WE DID THAT ON FEBRUARY 9th.
CHANGES SINCE THEN ARE DESIGNED
TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES RAISED BY
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND
VARIOUS COURT DECISIONS.
WE HAVE RECEIVED THE
RECOMMENDATION BEFORE THE
BUDGETS START IN DECEMBER.
THERE WAS A ROUNDTABLE
DISCUSSION WITH SPD AT THE
TABLE.
THE COMMITTEE DISCUSSED A DRAFT
BILL BASED ON -- WE FIRST
AMENDED THE BILL TO MAKE
CHANGES THAT REFLECT THE THINGS
THAT THE THREE ACCOUNTABILITY
BODIES GROWED ON.
SINCE THEN, THERE HAVE BEEN
MEETINGS WITH THE DOJ AND
MONITOR WITH FEEDBACK.
DURING DISCUSSIONS OF THE BILL,
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO EXPRESSED
CONCERN ABOUT THE POTENTIAL
THAT RESTRICTING THE USE OF
CERTAIN LESS LETHAL TOOLS --
AND FOR THE LISTENING CROWD,
THE TERMINOLOGY IS NOT LESS
THAN LETHAL, BECAUSE WE AGREE
THAT IN SOME INSTANCES, THESE
TOOLS HAVE BEEN LETHAL.
THE TERM IS LESS LETHAL,
MEANING THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO
BE ALL THE TIMAL.
SO I THINK THAT'S THE
TERMINOLOGY WE USE TO REFLECT
THAT IMPACT.
THE CONCERN WAS THAT
RESTRICTING THE USE OF LESS
THAN LETHAL TOOLS COUPLE LEAD
TO OFFICERS USING HIGHER LEVELS
OF FORCE, PUTTING PROTESTERS AT
HIGHER RISK OF HARM.
THE DOJ INQUIRED WHETHER THIS
BILL WOULD PROVIDE TIME FOR
CHANGES IN POLICY.
THIS COULD HAVE THE DEPARTMENT
OF JUSTICE TO CHALLENGE
WHATEVER LEGISLATION WE PASS,
AS THEY DID IN SOME ASPECTS IN
2017.
SO THERE'S A HISTORY OF THAT
OCCURRING.
THAT'S DIFFERENT, FOR EXAMPLE,
THAN THE STATE LEGISLATURE,
THAT'S NOT UNDER DECREE.
THAT IS SORT OF MY GOAL FOR
THIS BILL AND THE CONTEXT WHICH
WE'RE OPERATING IN, AND THE
HISTORY OF THIS LEGISLATION
GOING BACK TO LAST YEAR.
WITH THAT, I WILL HAND IT OVER
TO LISA FOR THE PRESENTATION.
>> THIS BILL RESTRICTS THE USE
FOR OTHER LETHAL WEAPONS AND
THEY CAN ONLY BE USED WHEN THE
RISK OF SERIOUS BODILY INJURY
FROM ACTIONS IS LIKELY FOR
BYSTANDERS.
THIS APPLIES TO ALL THE WEAPONS
AND ALL USES.
I'LL WALK THROUGH THE FOUR LESS
LETHAL RESTRICTED WEAPONS NOW.
SO THIS ALLOWS THE USE OF
PEPPER SPRAY OUTSIDE A
DEMONSTRATION RALLY FOR
PURPOSES OTHER THAN CROWD
CONTROL OR FOR CROWD CONTROL
BUT ONLY DURING A VIOLENT
DEMONSTRATION.
AND POLICE SHOULD HAVE LESS
LETHAL WEAPONS AVAILABLE TO
RESPOND TO LARGE GROUPS WITHIN
A CROWD.
SECTION 1F REGULATES THE USE OF
úTEAR GAS.
S.W.A.T.OFFICERS WOULD BE
ALLOWED TO USE TEAR GAS OUTSIDE
A DEMONSTRATION OR RALLY ONLY
IF IT'S NECESSARY TO PREVENT
THE LOSS OF LIFE OR INJURY, AND
THE RISK OF BODILY INJURY MUST
OUTWEIGH THE RISK TO
BYSTANDERS.
THE BILL ALSO AUTHORIZES THE
USE OF TEAR GAS AT A
DEMONSTRATION OR RALLY IF FIVE
CONDITIONS WERE MET.
FOUR WERE ALREADY IN THE DRAFT
AND THE FIFTH INCLUDES THE RISK
TO BODILY INJURY MUST OUTWEIGH
THE RISK TO BYSTANDERS.
THERE ARE PROVISIONS THAT ARE
THE SAME AS THE FEBRUARY BILL
BUT HAVE AN ADDED CLAUSE FOR
CLARITY.
SECTION 10 HAS THE SAME ACTION
AS WAS IN THE FEBRUARY BILL.
SECTIONS TWO AND THREE PROVIDE
NOTICE AND IMPLEMENTATION
PROVISIONS SIMILAR TO WHAT WAS
IN THE FEBRUARY BILL.
SECTION FOUR IS NEW AND DIRECTS
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO COMPLY
WITH THIS BILL WITHIN 60 DAYS
AFTER IT TAKES EFFECT AND TO
PUBLISH EFFECTS ON THEIR
WEBSITE.
THIS WAS RESPONDING TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CONCERN.
THAT COMPLETES MY PRESENTATION.
>> THANK YOU.
BEFORE I ACCEPT QUESTIONS, I'M
WONDERING IF YOU HAD A CHANCE
TO LISTEN IN TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
THERE WERE A NUMBER OF
COMMENTATORS WHO HAD CONCERNS
ABOUT CHANGES IN THE BILL, AND
I DON'T BELIEVE WE HAVE MADE
ANY CHANGES AS IT RELATES TO
THE RIGHT OF ACTION FOR GREAT
PARTIES.
>> I THINK WHAT THEY ARE
SPEAKING TO IS THAT IN FEBRUARY
IT WAS CHANGED FROM WHAT WAS
PROPOSED IN THE JUNE 2020 BILL.
THOSE WERE ADDED TOO.
THE LANGUAGE IN THE 2020 BILL
WAS THAT INJURIES NEEDED TO
HAVE BEEN -- WITHOUT A RIGHT OF
ACTION, IF YOU SUSTAIN INJURIES
DURING A VIOLENT PUBLIC
DISTURBANCE, IT WOULD EXCLUDE
THE PERSON FROM CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
>> I MOSTLY HEARD ABOUT THE
CONCERNS THAT IF THE USE OF
LESS LETHAL WEAPONS OCCURRED IN
SOMETHING THAT WAS DETERMINED
TO BE A VIOLENT PUBLIC
DISTURBANCE, THAT THAT
INDIVIDUAL WOULD NOT HAVE A
RIGHT OF ACTION.
BUT A VIOLENT PUBLIC
DISTURBANCE IS NOT SOMETHING
THAT SOMEBODY JUST ARBITRARILY
DECIDES.
IT HAS A LEGAL DEFINITION IN
THE LAW, CORRECT?
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
IT'S DEFINED IN THE BILL AS ANY
GATHERING WHERE 20 MORE
APPEARANCE USE OR THREATEN TO
USE UNLAWFUL VIOLENCE AGAINST A
PERSON OR GROUP OF PEOPLE.
SO THERE NEEDS TO HAVE BEEN USE
OR THREATENING USE OF VIOLENCE
AGAINST OTHER PEOPLE.
>> DOES THIS DEFINE WHO
DETERMINES THAT THERE IS A
VIOLENT PUBLIC DISTURBANCE?
>> NO, THAT'S LIKELY ADDRESSED
IN THE POLICE POLICIES.
>> I WANT TO CLARIFY, ALL THE
PUBLIC SPEAKERS WHERE ARE
ADDRESSING THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN WHAT'S BEING DISCUSSED
TODAY BY THIS COMMITTEE AND THE
ACTUAL REAL WEAPONS BAN THAT
WAS VOTED FOR UNANIMOUSLY BY
THE CITY COUNCIL.
SO WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE
ACTIONS, WE'RE COMPARING THIS
BILL TO THE BILL THAT WAS
PASSED IN THE SUMMER.
I DON'T THINK THE COMMITTEE
SHOULD KEEP MISLEADING THE
MEMBERS OF PUBLIC BY COMPARING
THIS TO THE FEBRUARY DRAFT.
THAT WAS NOT AN ARGUMENT PASSED
INTO LAW, SO THAT MEANS
NOTHING.
PEOPLE ARE COMPARING THIS
ACTION BILL PASSED LAST SUMMER
BY THE COUNSEL.
WE SHOULD ALSO KEEP IN MIND
THAT IN TERMS OF THE VIOLENT
PUBLIC DISTURBANCE WE WERE
TALKING ABOUT, THERE ARE 12 OR
MORE PEOPLE THAT COULD BE
VIOLENT AND AGGRESSIVE.
IT'S PUBLIC COMMENT THAT WE'RE
TALKING ABOUT, THE REAL LIFE
INSTANCES WHERE PEOPLE WOULD
NOT GET ADDRESSED IF THIS IS
PASSED INTO LAW.
I THINK THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN
INTO CONSIDERATION.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT.
ANY OTHER THOUGHTS?
>> I WOULD JUST CALL THE
COMMITTEE'S ATTENTION, AS
YOU'RE ANTICIPATING THIS,
THERE'S A CHART ON PAGE 52 THAT
PROVIDES A SUMMARY OF HOW THE
WEAPONS REGULATED IN THESE
VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES.
>> THANK YOU.
REALLY APPRECIATE THE TIME
TAKEN TO PUT IT TOGETHER.
AND JUST TO RESPOND TO WHY WE
ARE HAVING A CONVERSATION THAT,
UM, FOCUSES ON THE CHANGES
FROM A BILL THAT A MAJORITY
VOTED TO SEND TO THE DOJ FOR
THEIR REVIEW TO SEE WHAT
RECOMMENDATION THE DOJ MADE FOR
CHANGES.
THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO DO
THAT.
IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER
QUESTIONS, THANK YOU SO MUCH
FOR THE PRESENTATION.
THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR
BEING HERE TO HEAR IT.
IF THERE ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS
OR THOUGHTS, WE'LL MOVE INTO
ADJOURNMENT.
THE NEXT PUBLIC SAFETY
COMMITTEE IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY
13th.
IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER
COMMENTS FROM MY COLLEAGUES?
THE TIME IS 11:16 A.M.
AND WE ARE ADJOURNED.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.