The combination of Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and newly appointed Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best could result in one of the nation’s premier police departments. Seattle is already a model for police reform. After a slow start, it ended patterns of unconstitutional policing under a federal consent decree negotiated when Durkan was the local U.S. attorney. Best is a 26-year veteran and part of the leadership team that largely completed the turnaround. She was named permanent chief last week. But there is still more to be done improving the culture and performance of the department, and addressing legitimate concerns about safety and civility, as Seattle grows and tries to maintain its livability and appeal to visitors and employers. This will be a defining issue for Durkan’s administration, especially since police reform is a signature accomplishment of her career. A useful guide is the punch list of problems to fix prepared by co-chairs of Durkan’s police-chief … [Read more...] about A to-do list for new Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best
Seattle
Mariners Game Day: Can Seattle pull out a series win in rubber match vs. White Sox?
Seattle Mariners (59-40, L1) vs. Chicago White Sox (34-63, W1) 1:10 p.m. | Safeco Field | Seattle, Wash. TV: ROOT | Radio: 710 AM | Stream: MLB.tv [ Using our mobile app? Switch to browser » ] ⇓ Jump to comments ⇓ Editor’s note: In the midst of a playoff race, we’re tweaking the live updates we bring you from Mariners games. No longer is it just your place to come during the game. We’ll be posting an expanded thread the morning of each game day, where we’ll keep track of all the news of the day, catch you up on last night’s game and then bring you updates from the game. All the baseball information you need lives in one place in the paper; it should online, too. Let’s call it Mariners Game Day. Something you’d like to see? Let us know in the comments. 10:21 a.m. As expected, the Mariners have activated catcher Mike Zunino from the disabled list, optioning David Freitas back to Class AAA Tacoma. “Could be Tuesday, could … [Read more...] about Mariners Game Day: Can Seattle pull out a series win in rubber match vs. White Sox?
Officer killed during police chase in Seattle suburb
KENT, Wash. -- Authorities say a police officer in the Seattle suburb of Kent who was trying to stop a fleeing driver was apparently struck and killed by another officer. The Washington State Patrol says preliminary information shows the officer was trying to deploy spike strips at an intersection early Sunday when he was hit by a police vehicle. Kent Police said in a news release that officers were pursuing a red truck seen leaving a parking lot where gunshots were reported just before 2 a.m. The officer pursuing the suspect was critically injured in a collision. He was taken to a Seattle hospital in critical condition. The suspect also crashed. One person was taken into custody. Kent Police did not identify the officer who was killed. They say he has made significant contributions during his eight years on the force. -- Associated Press … [Read more...] about Officer killed during police chase in Seattle suburb
Seattle council to vote on new rights for nannies, house cleaners and gardeners
The Seattle City Council plans to vote Monday to guarantee minimum wages, rest breaks and other rights for domestic workers, including nannies and house cleaners. Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda’s legislation, which also would create an appointed board to oversee the industry, cleared her labor-rights committee last week. “All work has dignity, and all workers deserve respect,” the council member said. Eight states have enacted legislation aimed at protecting domestic workers, but Seattle would be the first city in the country to do the same, according to the council. The new regulations would apply to anyone working in a private home as a nanny, house cleaner, home-care worker, gardener, cook or household manager — except casual workers, those working for family or paid with public money. The Office of Labor Standards would oversee and enforce the regulations. The legislation grew from a campaign by a group of domestic workers for better pay, conditions and … [Read more...] about Seattle council to vote on new rights for nannies, house cleaners and gardeners
Man stabbed to death in West Seattle
Police found a 34-year-old man stabbed to death Friday night in West Seattle. Responding to a call, officers arrived at the 1600 block of Southwest Cambridge Street around 9:45 p.m. At that point, the man wasn’t breathing, according to Seattle Police Department spokesman Mark Jamieson. Paramedics could not revive him. A K-9 unit and King County helicopter failed to find a suspect. “There’s no indication of what led up to this, or the motive,” Jamieson said Saturday morning. Homicide detectives were continuing to investigate. The King County Medical Examiner has not released victim’s name. … [Read more...] about Man stabbed to death in West Seattle