A place once scarred by gun violence was used as the backdrop of Seattle's National Night Out on Tuesday as a spot for healing and hope.
A place once scarred by gun violence was used as the backdrop of Seattle's National Night Out on Tuesday as a spot for healing and hope.
SPD's Interim Police Chief Andre Sayles and Mayor Katie Wilson met with neighbors at the Rainier Beach Safeway to help boost crime prevention awareness. The event came about three years after five people were shot in the grocery store parking lot during an outreach event.
With a DJ, games, and celebrations on display, 18 participating organizations positively reclaimed the space while working to connect young people with resources before they're pulled toward violence. They're asking for help from city leaders.
"We’re greater than the incidents that have happened in our community," Rainier Beach: A Beautiful Safe Place For Youth Initiative Project Manager Cathie Wilmore stated. "All of our organizations come together to support our community. Our coalition is a collaboration of eight to 10 different agencies that come together once a month to discuss what’s happening in our community."
Wilmore explained the organizations need more monetary support from the city, and more police visibility in the neighborhood to help combat crime.
"In Rainier Beach, there’s some disconnect between the community and city leaders, but I think events like this mend those bridges and those relationships. I think we need to find pathways to talk to each other," added Seattle Neighborhood Group Executive Director Aaron Yoon.
KOMO News took those concerns to Mayor Wilson and Interim Police Chief Sayles, who met with organizers and community members.
"Talking to people out here tonight, they say they want more transparency from SPD and more visibility. Is that a priority of yours?" KOMO's Jackie Kent asked Sayles, in addition to his approach to tackling gun violence.
"[Transparency is] very much a priority. That's the biggest thing," he shared. "We’re going to be very proactive. We want information from our community members, and we’re going to tackle [gun violence] head-on."
He told KOMO News his goal for this event was to connect with the community, get to know people on a first-name basis, and start building relationships to develop community policing.
"I think events like this are really valuable in bringing the community together because we know that connected communities are safer communities," added Mayor Katie Wilson.
As conversations are ongoing about whether to turn 22 police surveillance cameras back on in the stadium district and Pioneer Square, Wilson on Tuesday said there will be more public talks about the CCTV network once the results are in from a data security audit this fall.
"Hearing concerns from the immigrant community about potential misuse of that data- we’re trying to balance that safety with the safety that we know the cameras can be a useful tool when it comes to solving crimes," she explained.
When asked what traits she's looking for in the next police chief, Wilson said she wants someone who can build effective working relationships within SPD to help meet public safety goals.
