The police chief in Seattle wrote a letter to business owners and residents reminding them officers will not be able to use nonlethal weapons when attempting to disperse large gatherings starting this weekend, citing a newly-passed city ordinance.
“Please know that the Seattle Police Department is committed to addressing life safety incidents and calls for service, and responding to ongoing demonstrations and unrest in the city,” said Chief Carmen Best in a letter dated July 24. “Please also know that the City Council Ordinance 119805 Crowd Control Tool goes into effect this weekend on Sunday, July 26, 2020. This ordinance bans Seattle Police officers the use of less lethal tools, including pepper spray that is commonly used to disperse crowds that have turned violent. Simply put, the legislation gives officers no ability to safely intercede to preserve property in the midst of a large, violent crowd.”
Best said she separately sent the city a letter ensuring leaders that she has “done my due diligence of informing them numerous times of the foreseeable impact of this ordinance on upcoming events.”
Seattle has been one of the scenes of weeks of civil unrest following the death of George Floyd. The mayor, Jenny Durkan, has taken criticism from police and President Trump for her handling of a recent takeover of a city police precinct by demonstrators who wished to set up a “police free” state.
Activists in Seattle have demanded the city defund the local police department by at least 50%, and some members of the city council have embraced the idea.
“It is a fact that there are groups and individuals who are intent on destruction in our City,” Best told the council. “This weekend we know that several events are planned across the city that will foreseeably involve many of the same violent actors from recent days. There is no reason not to assume we will continue to experience property destruction, arson, looting, and attempts to injure additional officers throughout the weekend and beyond.”
The chief said the city is handicapping the police department with more demonstrations planned over the next several days.
“We have clear, court-mandated procedures for arresting individuals, grounded in the principles of de-escalation,” Best said. “SPD’s de-escalation principles are premised on the expectation, consistent with policy and best practices, that officers have the full array of approved tools. In large crowds, there is no safe way for officers to effect arrests when their colleagues do not have the tools necessary to protect them.”
