Seattle Mayor Ed Murray has issued a sweeping call for a “summer of safety,” an integrated approach to public safety that would lead to longer-term priority.
Standing before members of the Seattle City Council Wednesday, Murray touched on police reform, racial disparities, infrastructure and mental health. He said up to now, there has been a sense that the city doesn’t really have a clear, coordinated strategy for fighting crime and disorder.
"This perception is correct,” he said. “Unless we, as a city, address this crisis of confidence, our challenges in public safety will only grow.”
Murray promised to hold regular “find it, fix it” walks with police and community members starting next month. Those walks will target blight and other visible contributors to crime. Murray also proposed taking the office that investigates police misconduct out of the police department.
Parks and libraries will extend their hours this summer to accommodate more activities for youth, the mayor said.
