Seattle Office of Intergovernmental Relations

City of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and CARE Chief Amy Barden, Ed.D. joined community leaders to mark the rollout of CARE department crisis responders to neighborhoods in South and Southwest Seattle. This completes the citywide expansion announced last summer, after the pilot initially launched in downtown and has steadily grown as the model has proven successful. The Seattle CARE department represents a new paradigm in public safety, a third City department which works in partnership with police and fire and is focused on helping people in need of behavioral health care. Seattle’s unique approach to diversified emergency response is designed to connect people in crisis with help, and free up police officers to answer calls where they’re needed most. “The CARE [Dept] has proven their ability to deliver on Seattle’s long-standing need for a public safety system with more emergency response options, and I’m excited to expand this work citywide. Community Crisis Responders are doing outstanding work to help people in need and to free up police and fire resources for the calls where they’re needed most, and we will continue to build on the successes of this pilot,”?said Mayor Harrell. “This kind of work takes time, but we are acting with urgency and the deliberate, evidence-based approach we are taking here is essential to building a true third public safety department that lasts. We will continue to invest in and expand this program in Seattle and continue to advocate for commonsense reforms to support this work at the state level.” “Expanding CARE responders to work citywide is a significant milestone in public safety. Our neighbors deserve to have the appropriate first response dispatched from Seattle 911, and every time we send CARE to a behavioral health emergency instead of law enforcement, we have given hours back to SPD to do the work that only they can do,”?said CARE Chief Amy Barden. “I am grateful for Mayor Harrell’s unwavering conviction that we must center 911 data in public safety design, and by the data there is an overwhelming need for community responders all across the city. Our community members know this and demand and expect this kind of change and investment, and it is an honor to be a part of this evolution." “The CARE team is a force multiplier in the goal of promoting public safety throughout West Seattle. Our SW Precinct officer headcount is stretched thin—well below pre-COVID levels—as they manage significantly more gun violence and other crimes,”?said Charlotte Starck, President Alki Community Council. “We need our police to focus on the most critical threats and violent offenders while we simultaneously support individuals facing addiction and the mental health crisis in our communities. From Alki to South Park, some may have hesitated to call 911. Now, they should not.” Special thanks to Erin Goodman, Carolanne Sanders Lundgren, MPH, Charlotte Starck, CM Mark Solomon, CM Robert Kettle, and CM Rob Saka, Esq.

Deputy Mayor Greg Wong and Councilmember Robert Kettle gave opening remarks and read the City of Seattle’s proclamation at the 54th annual ?? Irish Proclamation Luncheon! They were joined by Deputy Mayor Josie Forde from our Sister City of Galway, along with many other dignitaries from Ireland ???? and across the city! #OIR #Galway

On Friday, March 7th, the Recycling Reform Act (SB 5284) passed out of the Washington State Senate. We have been advocating for this bill for over five years, as it holds companies responsible for recycling the packaging and paper products they sell. This legislation is expected to reduce costs for residents’ utility bills while improving recycling access and outcomes. The bill now moves forward to the House for consideration. ?? ??? The Seattle Times Editorial Board endorsed the policy today: https://lnkd.in/gzB88Dr3 ??Learn more about this important step toward modernizing our recycling system: https://lnkd.in/gME73ia8 #RecyclingReform #Sustainability #WasteReduction #GreenPolicy #ZeroWaste #WashingtonState #Recycling #WasteManagement #Environmental

HB 1515, sponsored by Rep.?Julia Reed (D-36), passed out of the House with an 83-13 vote and is now on to the Senate! This vital bill would update alcohol regulations for outdoor dining and special events at SEATTLE CENTER and help ensure that the FIFA World Cup 2026? - Canada, Mexico and the United States "Fan Celebration" at SEATTLE CENTER will be a safe and fun experience for all. Thanks Rep. Reed for shepherding this bill through!?#Oly #OIR

The Right to Repair bill recently passed in the House with a 94-1 vote. On March 3, Deputy Mayor Jessyn Farrell and our General Manager Andrew Lee joined WashPIRG and PCs for People to discuss how this legislation supports consumers and independent repair businesses by ensuring access to tools, parts, and manuals for electronic repairs. This effort aims to extend the life of digital devices, reduce electronic waste, and lower the environmental impact of manufacturing new products. ?? ??Read more about the bill’s progress by visiting: https://lnkd.in/gds3SkX5

Living that bench life with Anna Johnson and Samir Junejo. We’re officially half way through session!

Yesterday, the Washington State Senate passed SB 5098 sponsored by Senator Javier Valdez! This bill restricts the possession of weapons on the premises of state or local public buildings, parks or playground facilities where children are likely to be present, and county fairs and county fair facilities. A big win for the City of Seattle! #Oly #OIR

The Washington State Senate recently passed SB 5595 sponsored by Emily Alvarado, which would establish shared streets! This bill will allow the City of Seattle to designate certain streets as "shared streets," where vehicles, pedestrians, and other non-motorists can safely co-mingle. The bill passed the Senate floor by a vote of 45-4 and is on its way to the House! #Oly #OIR

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to engage with my congressional delegation on behalf of the City of Seattle during this trip to Washington, DC. Despite these uncertain times, I enjoyed walking the halls alongside Anne Maher and Leslie Pollner as we met and thanked the teams of Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, and Congressman Adam Smith and discussed crucial ways to protect and bolster vital resources and programs in the City of Seattle. Special thanks to the Federal Affairs team at the Seattle Office of Intergovernmental Relations and Holland & Knight LLP for orchestrating such a valuable and productive visit!

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