>>> GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO
THE APRIL 13th MEETING OF THE
PUBLIC SAFETY AND HUMAN
SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING.
IT IS 9:31 A.M.
I AM LISA HERBOLD , THE CHAIR
OF THE COMMITTEE.
DISTRICT ONE WITH SEATTLE
MEMBER.
BEFORE WE GET STARTED, MY
APOLOGIES.
CAN YOU PLEASE TAKE ROLE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT GONZALES
>> HERE
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS?
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALE IS?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT?
>> CHAIR ARE BOLD?
>> HERE.
>> FOUR PRESENT AND ONE ABSENT.
>> BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO THE
AGENDA, I JUST WANT TO REALLY
QUICKLY GO OVER A FEW THINGS ON
TODAY'S AGENDA.
WE WILL HAVE TWO COUNCIL
APPOINTMENTS TO THE COMMUNITY
POLICE COMMISSION.
I JUST WANT TO NOTE THAT I HAD
TEMPORARILY SCHEDULED A
DISCUSSION TO VOTE ON COUNCIL
BILL 1199 81.
THIS IS LEGISLATION PERTAINING
TO THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT BUDGET.
WE CANNOT HEAR THAT LEGISLATION
AT THIS MEETING AS THE MONITOR
SENT QUESTIONS TO THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH SPECIFIC
INSTRUCTIONS THAT THE QUESTIONS
BE ANSWERED AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS
POSSIBLE.
THAT DIRECTION TO THE HAS NOT
YET BEEN FULFILLED.
QUESTIONS HAVE NOT BEEN
ANSWERED.
THE MONITORING DIRECTION WAS
NOT ONLY THAT THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT SHOULD ANSWER THEIR
QUESTIONS EXPEDITIOUSLY CUP BUT
THAT THEY SHOULD DO SO PRIOR TO
FURTHER ACTIONS BY THE CITY ON
THE BUDGET OF THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
FOR THAT REASON, WE HAVE NOT
BROUGHT BACK THE SUBSTITUTE
VERSION OF COUNCIL BILL 1199 81
THAT WE SPOKE ABOUT IN OUR LEFT
COMMITTEE MEETING.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO HEAR AN UPDATE
ON THE NEW SAFE AND DRY
COMMUNITY DIVISION.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT ELEVATING
THEIR WORK TO CONSOLIDATE THE
DEPARTMENTS INVESTMENT AND
SAFETY PREVENTION.
ME KNOW THE DEPARTMENT IS OUT
ADVERTISING AND SEEKING A NEW
DIVISION DIRECTOR FOR THE SAFE
AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES
DIVISION.
MOVING FORWARD IN THE FUTURE
THE DIVISION WILL HOUSE THE
CITY'S WORK TO CAPTOR DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE INCLUDING A TEAM OF
VICTIM ADVOCATES TRANSFERRED
FROM THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT IN 2020 AND EIGHT SD
EXISTING INVESTMENTS IN YOUTH
AND COMMUNITY SAFETY WHICH WILL
BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE
DEPARTMENTS EXISTING YOUTH AND
FAMILY EMPOWERMENT.
I'M EXCITED TO HEAR MORE ABOUT
THIS WORK IN THE NEXT UPCOMING
APRIL 27th MEETING.
WITH THAT, IF THERE ARE NO
OBJECTIONS, I'D LIKE TO ADOPT
TODAY'S AGENDA.
ARE THERE ANY OBJECTIONS?
HEARING NONE, TODAY'S AGENDA IS
ADOPTED.
AT THIS TIME WE WILL TRANSITION
INTO PUBLIC COMMENTS.
EACH SPEAKER WILL BE GIVEN TWO
MINUTES TO SPEAK.
I WILL CALL ON EACH SPEAKER BY
NAME AND IN THE ORDER IN WHICH
THEY REGISTERED ON THE
COUNCIL'S WEBSITE.
IF YOU HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED,
BUT WOULD LIKE TO DO SO, YOU
CAN SIGN UP BEFORE THE END OF
THE PUBLIC HEARING BY GOING TO
THE COUNCIL'S WEBSITE.
THIS LINK IS ALSO LISTED ON
TODAY'S AGENDA.
ONCE I CALL A SPEAKER'S NAME
YOU WILL HEAR A PROMPT.
ONCE YOU HAVE HEARD THE PROMPT
YOU NEED TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.
PLEASE BEGIN BY SPEAKING YOUR
NAME AND THE ITEM WHICH YOU ARE
ADDRESSING THAT IS ON THE
AGENDA AND SPEAKERS WILL HEAR A
CHIME WHEN 10 SECONDS OUR LEFT
OF THE ALLOTTED TIME.
WHEN THE SPEAKER HEARS THE
CHIME, WE ASK THAT YOU BEGIN TO
WRAP UP YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
IF SPEAKERS DO NOT IN THEIR
COMMENTS AT THE END OF THE
ALLOTTED TIME PROVIDED, THE
SPEAKERS MICROPHONE WILL BE
MUTED AFTER 10 SECONDS TO ALLOW
US TO HEAR FROM THE NEXT
SPEAKER.
PLEASE DISCONNECT FROM THE LINE
ONCE YOU CONCLUDE YOUR COMMENTS
AND YOU CAN CONTINUE FOLLOWING
THE MEETING VIA THE SEATTLE
CHANNEL OR THE LISTENING
OPTIONS THAT YOU CAN FIND ON
THE AGENDA.
IT LOOKS LIKE AS FAR AS THE
NUMBER OF PEOPLE CALLING IN FOR
PUBLIC COMMENT, WE'VE GOT ABOUT
14 PEOPLE.
LET'S SEE HERE.
GIVE ME A MOMENT.
I'M LOOKING FOR THE LINK.
IT'S IN A DIFFERENT PLACE EVERY
TIME.
WE HAVE 15 PEOPLE SIGNED UP FOR
PUBLIC COMMENT AND WE WILL
START WITH HOWARD.
>>> GOOD MORNING.
CONTINUING POLICE ABUSE AND
ACCOUNTABILITY.
29 PEOPLE BY STB SINCE JOHN T
WILLIAMS.
14 HAD ONLY A KNIFE, BROKEN
BOTTLE OR NO WEAPON AT ALL.
10 PEOPLE KILLED BY SPD SINCE
SEATTLE POLICE ACCOUNT THE
SYSTEM WAS PUT IN PLACE IN
2017.
ZERO IS THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS
HELD ACCOUNTABLE IT WAS ALSO
THE NUMBER OF POLICY CHANGES
AND RECOMMENDATIONS PRODUCED BY
SEATTLE SO-CALLED
ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS AND
RESPONSE.
79 IS TINY NUMBER OUT OF
HUNDREDS OF CASES OF POLICE
ABUSE AND DEMONSTRATORS OVER
THE LAST YEAR.
16 IS THE NUMBER OF
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS TAKEN SO
FAR BY THE SPD FOR THESE CASES.
IS THE NUMBER OF DISCIPLINARY
ACTION SO FAR THAT GO BEYOND
THE WRITTEN OR ORAL REPRIMAND
THE EGREGIOUS CASES OF POLICE
ABUSE.
10 MONTHS POST GEORGE FLOYD
IT'S CLEAR THAT THE ABUSE CASES
AVOID ANY ACCOUNTABILITY.
THIS LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY IS
EXACERBATED BY THE COMMUNITY
POLICE COMMISSION.
IN FEBRUARY THEY HELD A POORLY
ADVERTISED MEETING WHERE FOR
THE FIRST TIME IN OVER SIX
YEARS THEY GOT ON SEVERED
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK.
THE FEEDBACK WAS OVERWHELMING.
WE NEED 100% CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT
OF POLICE YET ONE WEEK LATER
THE CPC IGNORED THE TEST ME
VOTING INSTEAD TO RECOMMEND A IN
OPA INVESTIGATIONS THEREBY
KEEPING COPS INVESTIGATING COPS.
WELCOME TO THE NINTH YEAR OF
SEATTLE'S SO-CALLED POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM WHERE
VIRTUAL CIGNA THING IS WHERE
COMMUNITY IS IF NOT OUTRIGHT
IGNORED EASILY FORGOTTEN.
AS WE APPROACH THE ONE-YEAR
MARK POST GEORGE FLOYD THIS
COMPLETE LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY
WILL GUARANTEE MORE ABUSE IN
THE COMING MONTHS.
WILL NEED TO FOCUS OUR ENERGY
IN CREATING FULL CIVILIAN
CONTROL OF POLICE OVERSIGHT
MOVING BEYOND VIRTUAL
SIGNALING.
THANK YOU.
>>> THANK YOU.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS BJ.
>>> MY NAME IS BJ.
I'M A RESIDENT AND SMALL
BUSINESS OWNER.
I'D LIKE TO HOLD SPD
ACCOUNTABLE FOR SPENDING IN
9981.
REDUCE SPD'S 2021 BUDGET BY THE
FULL 5.4 MILLION THAT SPD
OVERSPENT BY IN 2020.
THIS 5.4 MILLION CONCERNS ITEMS
THAT CREATE COMMUNITY SAFETY.
THE COUNCIL COMMITTED TO
HOLDING SPD ACCOUNTABLE FOR
SPENDING TWICE IN 2020.
THE COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
31962, SECTION 7 OF WHICH SAID
THE CITY COUNCIL WILL NOT
SUPPORT ANY BUDGET AMENDMENTS
TO INCREASE THE SPD BUDGET TO
OFFSET OVERTIME EXPENDITURES
ABOVE THE FUNDS BUDGETED IN
2020 OR 2021.
IN DECEMBER COUNCILMEMBERS
VOTED FOR ORDINANCE 126 TO 57,
SECTION 13 OF WHICH SAID THE
CITY COUNCIL EXPRESSES ITS
INTENT TO AMEND THE 2021
ADOPTED BUDGET REDUCING SPD'S
APPROPRIATION AUTHORITY AT
LEAST 5.4 MILLION.
TO SOME DEGREE THEY DID NOT
RAISE ANY OBJECTIONS OR ASK ANY
QUESTIONS ABOUT EITHER OF THESE
BUDGETS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY.
COUNCILMEMBERS WERE PROPOSING
ONLY CUTTING THE 2021 BUDGET I
2.8 MILLION.
ROUGHLY 1/2 OF THE 5.4 MILLION
SPD OVERSPENT BY IN 2020.
SPD HAS 7.7 MILLION OF PROJECT
SALARY SAVINGS IN 2021
PRODUCING SPD BUDGET I THE FULL
5.4 MILLION THAT IT OVERSPENT
BY LAST YEAR.
THAT LEAVES 2.3 MILLION FOR
SALARY SAVINGS TO SPEND ON ITEMS
FOR CURRENT PRIORITIES.
WE DON'T HAVE BUDGET
ACCOUNTABILITY AND WE DON'T
HAVE ANY ACCOUNTABILITY.
IT NEEDS TO BE AMENDED TO THE
FULL 5.4 MILLION THEY OVERSPENT
BY AND GIVE THOSE FUNDS TO
PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING.
THANK YOU AND I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
CODY FOLLOWED BY MORGAN KELLY.
>>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
>> MY NAME IS CODY AND I'M A
RESIDENT IN DISTRICT 4 AND A
MEDICAL RESEARCHER IN SEATTLE.
I'M REPRESENTING DECRIMINALIZE
NATURE SEATTLE.
I'M SUGGESTING THAT YOU LISTEN
TO LAW ENFORCEMENT PRIORITY.
WE IMPOSE THE CITY OF SEATTLE
TAKES UP THIS ISSUE BEING
DEFINED WHICH HAVE A LENGTHY
LIST OF PROVEN MEDICAL
BENEFITS.
IN THE DECISION DRUG LAW IN
WASHINGTON STATE IS BECOMING A
MASSIVE PRIORITY.
MANY LOCK MAKERS ARE WARY OF
PURSUING DRUG LAWS.
IF THE CITY OF SEATTLE ASK NOW
AND PASSES A RESOLUTION
PROTECTING MEDICAL
PRACTITIONERS WHO PRESCRIBED
THEM IT CAN DEMONSTRATE THERE'S
PUBLIC APPETITE FOR CHANGE IN
THE STATUS QUO.
A SIMILAR LAW WAS VOTED ON AND
PASSED BY DOUBLE AND
OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED AND
DEMOGRAPHICALLY SIMILAR CITY IN
PART THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY
POPULAR ISSUE.
WE HAVE DOZENS OF LOCAL
PRACTITIONERS AND GROUPS AND
HEALERS AND ALL THREE LOCAL
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT DEMOCRAT
PARTY SEES WHEELS IN WITH.
PERSONALLY I THINK THE EFFICACY
OF THESE PLANT MEDICINES CAN
HELP IS UNPARALLELED.
EVEN RELATIVE TO MODERN
PHARMACEUTICAL MEDICINE.
THE CITY OF SEATTLE SHOULD JOIN
OTHER LEGISLATIVE BODIES SUCH
AS WASHINGTON, D.C., OAKLAND,
DENVER AND MANY OTHERS.
THANK YOU AND I SAVE MY TIME.
>>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MORGAN
KELLY FOLLOWED BY BENJAMIN.
MORGAN?
>>> HI.
MY NAME IS MORGAN KELLY.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT 3 IN SEATTLE.
[ INDISCERNIBLE ] I BEEN WORKING
FOR MOST OF MY ADULT LIFE AMONG
MANY ATTICS.
TRADITIONAL THERAPIES HAVE BEEN
USEFUL FOR SOME, PLANT
MEDICINES HAVE BEEN LIFE
ALTERING FOR THOSE ACTIVE TO
THEM.
I'VE SEEN AND EXPERIENCED BRING
SOMEONE BACK FROM THE BRINK OF
SUICIDE AND PROVIDE INSIGHT AND
HELP THEY NEEDED.
PLANT MEDICINES ARE THE MOST
POWERFUL AND UNDERUTILIZED
MEDICINE FOR A HOST OF
ILLNESSES, NOT JUST ADDICTION.
I URGE THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL
TO SEE HOW ACCESS TO THIS
MEDICINE CAN HELP INDIVIDUALS
IN OUR COMMUNITY AND HOW LEGAL
ACCESS CAN END THE UNJUST AND
RACIST WAR ON DRUGS AND COMBAT
THE FATALITY ISSUE AS IT'S ALL
RELATED.
LEE'S VOTE TO DECRIMINALIZE
PLANT MEDICINE.
THANK YOU AND I SAVE THE REST
OF MY TIME.
>>> THANK YOU.
BENJAMIN FOLLOWED BY ERICA
ERWIN.
BENJAMIN?
>>> MY NAME IS BEN AND I LIVE
IN DISTRICT THREE.
I MAY ORGANIZER.
I'M SPEAKING TO YOU TODAY AS
PART OF THE HOPES THAT YOU WILL
ADOPT THE RESOLUTION
DECRIMINALIZE PSYCHEDELICS IN
SEATTLE.
PSYCHEDELICS HAVE ALLOWED THEM
TO OVERCOME AND WORK THROUGH
TRAUMATIC EVENTS IN THEIR LIFE.
SUICIDE ALLOWED ME TO REFLECT
ON MY. AND ALLOWED ME TO NOT BE
PLAGUED BY THOUGHTS OF SELF-
DOUBT EVERY NIGHT BEFORE BED.
IT WAS LIBERATING TO FIND A
SOLUTION TO MY ANXIETY AND
DEPRESSION.
WHEN YOU ARE BEING PRESCRIBED
ANTIDEPRESSANTS FOR YEARS WHICH
ARE RELATIVELY INEFFECTIVE.
DON'T WE OWE IT TO OURSELVES TO
EXPLORE THE CEILING PROPERTIES
OF PLANT MEDICINE?
DON'T WE OWE IT TO REMOVE THE
SCHEDULE ONE CLASSIFICATION
THAT EQUATES THEM TO DRUGS SUCH
AS HEROIN AND METH?
THANK YOU AND I YIELD MY TIME.
>>> THANK YOU.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ERICA ERWIN
FOLLOWED BY DANIEL.
ERICA?
>> GOOD MORNING.
YOUR EXPERIENCE TO DEFEND OUR
POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS FAILED
MISERABLY AT THE EXPENSE OF
PUBLIC SAFETY AND OUR
COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE CITY
ESPECIALLY NEIGHBORHOODS THE OF
COLOR WHERE I LIVED.
OUR TWO-YEAR-OLD IS CLINGING TO
LIFE.
WE SHOULD ALL BE OUTRAGED BY
THIS.
TO CONTINUE TO DIVEST IN THE
DEPARTMENT ALMOST A YEAR AFTER
THE RECKLESS KNEE-JERK
DECISION, YOU STILL HAVE NOT
COME UP WITH POSITIVE AND
SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR
POLICING.
THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE OF
WHAT HAPPENED AT 23rd AND
JACKSON LAST SUNDAY IF WE DON'T
START REBUILDING A ROBUST
POLICE DEPARTMENT AND BEGIN
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
IMMEDIATELY.
PLEASE STOP FUNNELING MONEY TO
ORGANIZATIONS WHO WANT TO
CONTROL HOW THEY POLICE OUR
COMMUNITY.
WHILE THEY OFFER ARE BIG IDEAS
AND NO REAL DATA TO SUPPORT
THEM.
THIS IS THE DESPERATE NEED FOR
IMMEDIATE SAFETY PLANS IN OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS, ESPECIALLY IN
CENTRAL AND SOUTH SEATTLE AND
THE UNIVERSITY DISTRICT.
IT'S TIME TO STOP TURNING A
BLIND EYE TO THE SURGE OF CRIME
IN OUR CITY.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
THANK YOU.
>>> THANK YOU.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS DANIEL
FOLLOWED BY EVA.
DANIEL?
>>> HELLO.
HELLO COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS DANNY AND I'M A
RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 3. I'M
ADVOCATING IN FAVOR OF A
RESOLUTION THAT WOULD
DECRIMINALIZE PSYCHEDELIC PLANT
MEDICINE IN SEATTLE.
IT'S BEEN ONE OF THE MOST
INFLUENTIAL POSITIVE FORCES IN
MY LIFE.
EXPERIENCES THAT I'VE HAD ON
PSYCHEDELICS EMPOWERED ME WITH
TOOLS TO BATTLE ANXIETY,
DEPRESSION, STAGNATION AND
TRAUMA.
IN ADDITION THESE EXPERIENCES
MAY BE MORE CONNECTED TO MY
PEERS AND GIFTED ME WITH A
PROFOUND APPRECIATION FOR BEING
ALIVE.
THE SUBSTANCES WHICH ARE
CURRENTLY ILLEGAL HAVE
INCREDIBLE POTENTIAL TO HELP
SOCIETY AND DESERVE TO BE
EXPLORED AS THE MEDICINES THEY
ARE WITHOUT FEAR OF LEGAL
PERSECUTION.
AFTER MULTIPLE SCIENTIFIC
STUDIES FROM EQUITABLE SOURCES
SUCH AS JOHNS HOPKINS SCHOOL OF
MEDICINE THAT SHOW THEIR
EFFICACY IN TREATING AILMENTS,
THE WORLD IS STARTING TO
NOTICE.
SEATTLE IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN
THE DECRIMINALIZATION AND
LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS.
HOWEVER IT IS FALLING BEHIND ON
PSYCHEDELICS.
PLEASE ALLOW SEATTLE TO JOIN A
GROWING NUMBER OF JURISDICTIONS
ACROSS THE NATION INCLUDING
OAKLAND, WASHINGTON, D.C.,
OREGON, SANTA CRUZ AND DENVER
AND OTHERS WHO DECRIMINALIZE
PSYCHEDELICS AND NO LONGER
PERSECUTE SEATTLE RESIDENTS WHO
SEEK ACCESS TO THESE HEALING
PLANT MEDICINES.
I URGE THE COUNCIL TO ADOPT THE
RESOLUTION THAT WOULD LOWER IT
TO THE LOWEST LAW ENFORCEMENT
PRIORITY.
THANK YOU AND I YIELD THE REST
OF MY TIME.
>>> THANK YOU.
NEXT IS EVA FOLLOWED BY HUNTER.
>>> HELLO.
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY
OF OUR STUDENTS AT THE
UNIVERSITY DISTRICT AND IN
SEATTLE IN GENERAL.
THE CONSTANTLY RECURRING ACTS
OF VIOLENCE IS INSANE.
CAN A YOUNG PERSON BE NOT
FEELING SAFE WALKING DOWN THE
STREET?
DON'T THEY HAVE ENOUGH TO DEAL
WITH ALREADY?
IS THIS THE CITY WE WANT TO
LIVE IN?
I DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOUR
CLINICAL AFFILIATION.
WE ALL WANT SAVE D. I DO NOT
WANT VIOLENCE FROM EITHER SIDE.
YES, POLICE ACTIONS NEED TO BE
REFORMED, WHICH CANNOT HAPPEN
WITH LESS FUNDS.
IN A CITY AND A COUNTRY WHERE
THERE IS AN ABUNDANCE OF GUNS,
WE ARE VICTIMS.
E WANT TO ABANDON O
PEOPLE?
WHEN I HEAR A STUDENT SAY THAT
WHEN SHE TURNS 21 SHE WILL BUY
A GUN, IT BREAKS MY HEART.
THIS IS NOT THE SOLUTION
EVERYONE. WE NEED RESPONSIBLE
POLICING.
I BEG YOU TO STOP THE CRAZY
IDEA OF DEFUNDING THE POLICE.
THANK YOU.
>>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS HUNTER
FOLLOWED BY TATIANA.
HUNTER?
>>> HELLO.
GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS HUNTER.
I'M TALKING ABOUT
DECRIMINALIZING.
I HAVE CHOSEN TO DEVOTE MY
TALENT TO PSYCHOTHERAPY.
I HAVE TRIED MANY PSYCHEDELICS.
I BELIEVE IT HAS THE POTENTIAL
THAT TRADITIONAL CYCLE
PHARMACIES DON'T HAVE IN
TREATING MENTAL HEALTH AND
ADDICTION.
I'VE EXPERIENCED NO RELIEF AND
EXPERIENCES WITH SMALL DOSES.
[ INDISCERNIBLE ] I BELIEVE BY
DECRIMINALIZING THIS MEDICINE
PEOPLE WILL BE GIVEN ACCESS TO
THEM AND THEY WILL BE INCREASED
PRODUCTION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS TATIANA.
FOLLOWED BY ANTHONY.
TATIANA?
ARE YOU WITH US, TATIANA?
>>> SORRY.
I WAS MUTED.
MY NAME IS TATIANA.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 2. I
AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE
SEATTLE RESOLUTION TO
DECRIMINALIZE NATURAL
PSYCHEDELICS IN SEATTLE.
WHEN I WAS A CHILD I SURVIVE
YEARS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND
AS AN ADULT I FOUND MYSELF
HAVING TO BREAK THE LAW IN
ORDER TO HEAL MYSELF WITH PLANT
MEDICINE.
PARTNERING WITH PLANT MEDICINE
HAS BEEN PIVOTAL EXPERIENCE FOR
ME THERAPEUTICALLY AS I PROCESS
MY CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND MANIC
DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY IN MY
LIFE
AND BY EXPANDING MY WINDOW OF
TOLERANCE TO STEPH THIS HAS
ALLOWED ME TO DEEPEN MY
RELATIONSHIP WITH MY FAMILY AND
IS BE AN ENTIRELY NEW WAY TO
RELATE TO TRAUMA WHICH HAS
HELPED TO CHANGE MY LIFE WITH
STARTS TO PSYCHEDELICS
SPIRITUAL AND HEALING BENEFITS
WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, IF WE
DON'T TAKE ACTION TO
DECRIMINALIZE GROWING AND
GATHERING THESE THINGS FOR
PEOPLE RIGHT NOW, THE RESULTS
IF WE DO NOTHING WILL LIKELY BE
A WET MEDICAL MODEL THAT IS
LIKELY TO REPLICATE THE STATUS
QUO OF HEALTHCARE THAT WE SEE
ALREADY IN OUR COUNTRY.
WE NEED YOU AND WE NEED US AT
THE TABLE SO WE DESIGN POLICY
REFLECT OUR COMMUNITY'S NEEDS.
BLACK INDIGENOUS AND PEOPLE OF
COLOR ARE FAR LESS LIKELY TO BE
ABLE TO AFFORD HEALTH INSURANCE
DUE TO OUR HISTORY AND
DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF THOSE
COMMUNITIES.
OF MY COMMUNITY.
THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO TRUST
THE MEDICAL SYSTEM THAT HAS
BEEN FOUNDED ON EXPERIMENTATION
ON BLACK AND BROWN BODIES.
DECRIMINALIZATION OF CONTROLLED
SUBSTANCES ALONE REDUCES
DISPARITIES 5%.
I URGE ALL TO CONSIDER SENATE
BILL 5476 WHICH IS BASICALLY IN
THE WAKE OF THE DECISION AND TO
DECRIMINALIZE CONTROLLED
SUBSTANCE AND REDUCE PENALTIES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING
TODAY.
WE HAVE OTHER EDUCATIONAL
RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN CASE
FOLKS WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE.
>>> THANK YOU.
I WILL GIVE ANOTHER CALL OUT
FOR ANTHONY. IF YOU HAVE SHOWN
AS NOT PRESENT. AND THEN
ANOTHER PERSON LISTED AS NOT
PRESENT.
WE HAVE ONE MORE SPEAKER THAT
IS PRESENT.
THAT IS RACHEL.
>>> HELLO.
THANKS FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK
TODAY.
CAN EVERYONE HEAR ME CLEARLY?
>> YES.
>> RIGHT.
I AM A RESIDENT OF THE DISTRICT
AND I AM CALLING TO URGE THE
COUNCIL NOT TO DO THE
PROVISIONS OF DETAILED IN CB
119981.
SEATTLE HAS BEEN INCREASING IN
VIOLENCE OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS.
AT THE SAME TIME POLICE
PRESENCE HAS BLOATED AND
THERE'S NO ACCOUNTABILITY OR
TRANSPARENCY.
THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE
MEANINGFULLY ADDRESS.
THEY SEEM TO UTILIZE BRACKET
AND BROWN PEOPLE AND NONVIOLENT
PROTESTERS.
PLEASE INCREASE PARTICIPATORY
BUDGETING TO ADDRESS THE ROOT
CAUSES OF VIOLENT CRIME LIKE
INCOME, EQUALITY AND VIOLENT
CRIME INSTEAD OF MORE MASS
INCARCERATION.
THANK YOU.
>>> THANK YOU, RACHEL.
THIS WILL CONCLUDE AND
RECOGNIZE THE BEGINNING OF
PUBLIC COMMENTS BY
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.
LET'S MOVE ON TO THE ITEMS ON
OUR AGENDA TODAY.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ FOR
THE RECORD
>> AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE,
APPOINTMENT 01872, APPOINTMENT
OF CATHERINE AS MEMBER OF
COMMUNITY POLICE COMMISSION FOR
A TERM TO DECEMBER 31, 21.
APPOINTMENT 01873, APPOINTMENT
OF LEAH, A WASHINGTON MEMBER
COMMUNITY OF POLICE COMMISSION
TO DECEMBER 31, 2021.
>> THANK YOU.
IF WE COULD DO A QUICK ROUND OF
INTRODUCTIONS.
YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION IF
YOU ARE HERE WITH US TO PRESENT
ON THESE TWO ITEMS.
LET'S START WITH MS. BAKER.
>>> MY NAME IS MS. BAKER AND
I'M ONE OF THE COCHAIRS OF THE
COMMUNITY POLICE COMMISSION.
WE ARE REALLY GRATEFUL FOR
THESE APPOINTMENTS.
I WILL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
THE HISTORY OR THE PURPOSE OF
THAT.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT ME TO
DO THAT NOW OR AFTER?
>> LET'S DO THE ROUND OF
INTRODUCTIONS FIRST, THANKS. DO
WE HAVE ANY OTHER FOLKS TO
INTRODUCE THEMSELVES?
>> I WILL BE INTRODUCING THE
APPOINTMENTS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> PLEASE DO DESCRIBE THE WORK
OF THE CBC.
>> GOOD MORNING AGAIN.
THE COMMUNITY POLICE COMMISSION
WAS CREATED THROUGH THE
LITIGATION FROM THE UNITED
STATES AGAINST THE CITY OF
SEATTLE THAT WAS INITIATED
AFTER ABOUT 34 COMMUNITY GROUPS
CAME TOGETHER AND PETITIONED
DOJ TO INVESTIGATE THE DEADLY
USE OF FORCE THAT WAS PLAGUING
THE CITY OF SEATTLE LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FOR A
NUMBER OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF
COLOR.
THE LITIGATION PROCEEDED AND A
CONSENT DECREE WAS ENTERED.
THE COMMUNITY POLICE COMMISSION
WAS CREATED FROM THAT AND
ULTIMATELY BECAME PERMANENT.
OUR PURPOSE AND GOAL IS TO
ENSURE THE COMMUNITY VOICE AND
EXPECTATIONS AND PERSPECTIVE OF
IS INCLUDED AND CONSIDERED WHEN
IT COMES TO HOW SPD POLICES AND
DEVELOPS ITS POLICIES AND
TRAININGS.
WE HOPE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
EVENTS TO RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM
COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
AND ALSO PROVIDE INPUT ON
POLICIES AND TRAINING AND
PROVIDE EXPECTATIONS AROUND
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
WE ENSURE THAT THERE IS A MORE
ROBUST COMMUNICATION BOTH WAYS
BETWEEN SPD AND THE COMMUNITY.
RIGHT NOW IT'S INTERESTING AND
EXCITING TIMES FOR THE CPC.
WE HAVE NEW LEADERSHIP AND A
NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , BRANDY
GRANT, AND TWO NEW COCHAIRS.
WE ALSO HAVE A FULL POLICY
STAFF FOR THE FIRST TIME IN
QUITE A WHILE.
WE ARE EMBARKING ON A STRATEGIC
PLANNING. WE ARE VERY EXCITED
TO BE FULLY STAFFED WITH
COMMISSIONERS AND LOOK FORWARD
TO BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE INPUT
ON POLICING AND COMMUNITY
EXPECTATIONS AT A TIME WHEN WE
ALL KNOW THAT IT'S NEEDED.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THE WORK
AND COMMITMENT THAT YOU BRING
TO THIS EFFORT AND REALLY AM
GRATEFUL TO THE STRONG
FOUNDATION THAT IS BEING BUILT
UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THAT
OF DIRECTOR GRANT.
WITH THAT, WE WILL HAND IT OVER
TO NOEL WHO WILL INTRODUCE THE
TWO APPOINTMENTS.
>>> APPOINTMENT 0872, CATHERINE.
[ INDISCERNIBLE ] CATHERINE
SERVES AS A DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC
POLICY FOR THE NATIONAL
ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS,
WASHINGTON.
SHE WORKS TO DEVELOP AN
ADVOCATE FOR LEGISLATIVE
PRIORITIES WITHIN WASHINGTON.
SHE HAS SERVED FOR LEGISLATIVE
AND POLICY ILLNESS WHERE SHE
ANALYZED, TRACKED AND ADVOCATED
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND BULLY
PREVENTION AT MULTI STATE AND
FEDERAL LEVELS.
AS A TEACHING ASSOCIATE AT THE
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF
SOCIAL WORK SHE SUGGESTED CLASS
CONTENT PROMOTE RACIAL
STANDPOINT.
SHE HAS MSW WITH PUBLIC
CONCENTRATION FROM COLUMBIA
UNIVERSITY.
APPOINTMENT 1873 FOUR A TERM
THROUGH DECEMBER 31st, 2021.
WASHINGTON SERVES AS OPERATION
SPECIALIST FOR KING COUNTY
EQUITY NOW WHERE HER DUTIES
INCLUDE TRACKING POLICY PRODUCTS
AND COMMUNITY EVENTS.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
INCLUDES WORKING AT SEATTLE
CARES MENTORING, CULTIVATING
THE GENIUS OF CHILDREN IN BLACK
IMMUNITY IMPACT ALLIANCE.
SHE HAS SERVED AS ASSISTANT TO
THE DEPUTY CORONER IN THE CITY
OF PASCHAL CORONER'S OFFICE AND
INTERNED IN THE OFFICE OF KING
COUNTY COUNCILMEMBER LARRY
DAWSON.
HER VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
INCLUDES THE URBAN LEAGUE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND
RETIREES.
THANK YOU.
>>> THANK YOU.
I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE AN
OPPORTUNITY BEFORE OPENING IT
UP TO COUNCILMEMBERS.
I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM THE TWO
APPOINTEES.
EITHER CATHERINE. DO YOU WANT
TO KICK US OFF.
WOULD LOVE TO HEAR A FEW WORDS
FROM YOURSELF. WHAT YOU HOPE TO
ACCOMPLISH.
>> MY NAME IS LE'JAYAH AND I'M
GRATEFUL TO BE APPOINTED TO THE
COMMISSION.
IT'S AN HONOR.
I'M EXCITED TO CONTINUE TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMISSION
AND BRING MY SKILLS AND HELP
ACCOMPLISH THE GOALS OF THE
COMMISSION AND STAY CONNECTED
TO COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, LE'JAYAH.
CATHERINE?
>> GOOD MORNING,
COUNCILMEMBERS.
I AM HONORED TO BE CONSIDERED
FOR THIS APPOINTMENT ON THE
COMMISSION.
CURRENTLY I SAY OR AS DIRECT
OF PUBLIC POLICY.
BECAUSE THIS ORGANIZATION HAS A
LARGE GRASSROOTS REACH I'M
HONORED TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE ALL
ACROSS SEATTLE AND THE STATE.
I HOPE TO BRING THE EXPERIENCES
AND IDEAS ON HOW OUR COMMUNITY
MEMBERS EXPERIENCE BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH IN POLICING ESPECIALLY
WITH RACE TO FURTHER HOW WE
TOGETHER CAN CHANGE THE SYSTEMS
AND IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING FOR
EACH PERSON IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
CONSIDERING MY APPOINTMENT.
>> THANKS BOTH OF YOU FOR
JOINING US AND THANK YOU FOR
YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE AT
THIS REALLY IMPORTANT JUNCTURE
IN OUR NATION AND CITIES
HISTORY ON THESE ISSUES.
THAT TOUCHES THE LIVES OF SO
MANY, PARTICULARLY OUR BIPOC
COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
COUNCILMEMBERS, ANY THOUGHTS OR
QUESTIONS OR INSIGHT THAT YOU
WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
I'M LOOKING FOR BOTH VIRTUAL AND
OLD-SCHOOL REAL-TIME HAND
RAISING.
I DO NOT SEE ANY.
AGAIN, I REALLY WANT TO THANK
YOU BOTH.
I KNOW THAT THE CPC PROVIDES
SOME VERY THOROUGH AND RIGOROUS
ON BOARDING.
NOT ONLY ABOUT YOUR STATUTORY
RESPONSIBILITIES AS A COMMISSION
THAT ARE OUTLINED AS
OBLIGATIONS TO FULFILL ON A
YEARLY BASIS, BUT ALSO SPECIAL
RESPONSIBILITIES ASSOCIATED
BOTH WITH THE CONSENT DECREE
AND ASSOCIATED WITH EMERGING
ISSUES THAT COME UP AND HOW WE
HOPE THAT YOU ENGAGE WITH US AS
A COUNCIL AS WELL AS BRINGING
FORWARD THE VOICE OF COMMUNITY
AND CENTERING THAT VOICE AND
ALL OF OUR DECISIONS ON THESE
REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUES.
I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO
BRING BOTH OF YOUR NOMINATIONS
FORWARD.
I WILL MOVE APPOINTMENT 01872
AND 01873.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU.
ANY DISCUSSION?
ALL RIGHT.
SEEING NO DISCUSSION, WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE?
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT GONZALES.
>> AYE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS ?
>> AYE
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS?
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT?
SHARE HER BOLD?
>> FIVE IN FAVOR AND NONE
OPPOSED.
>> YOUR APPOINTMENTS WILL BOTH
MOVE FORWARD TO THE FULL
COUNCIL NEXT MONDAY, APRIL
19th.
CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU.
WITH THAT, IT IS 10 ZERO FOUR
A.M.
IF THERE ARE OTHER COMMENTS
FROM MY COLLEAGUES, I'M HAPPY
TO HEAR THEM.
OTHERWISE, THE NEXT PUBLIC
SAFETY AND HUMAN SERVICES
COMMITTEE MEETING IS SCHEDULED
FOR APRIL 27th.
WE ARE ADJOURNED.