Dec 03 2009
Chronic Nuisance Property Legislation
Sections of Aurora Avenue North have long been a subject of concern for neighbors, business owners, policy makers and law enforcement officials in our City. Some areas of Aurora have become a haven for prostitution, drugs and crime. This cuts against some of the tremendous progress made on Aurora relative to business growth, transportation improvements and economic development. I agree that prostitution, drug dealing and other criminal misconduct on some parts of Aurora and other parts of our city need to be addressed immediately. Therefore, I am supportive of legislation designed to assist our police department and City Attorney’s office address these problem areas and supported the passage of Council Bill 116667. This Bill modified the City’s nuisance laws and gave clarity to the definition of a nuisance by focusing on the criminal misconduct elements. It also modified the laws to impose greater liability to the property owner in the event of a chronic, unresolved criminal problem. I am hopeful that it will be effective in dealing with problematic property owners and geographic areas and I will monitor its implementation to make sure that the ordinance is enforced fairly and lawfully. At the end of the day, I want clean and safe areas in all parts of our city.
Seattle is consistently rated as one of the most desirable places to live in our country. Our city is known for its great people, entrepreneurial spirit, great neighborhoods, commitment to environmental sustainability, and our beautiful natural environment. As of mid-2008, the frequency of major crime was 11 percent lower than the previous year. Although Seattle’s population has increased by 8 percent in the last ten years, the misdemeanor jail population has decreased nearly 40 percent during the same period of time. Despite this decline, King County is requiring that Seattle and other cities discontinue their use of King County Jail for misdemeanor offenders by December 31, 2012. No extension of this lease has been offered. The County’s decision is based upon a King County Jail study which found that King County will need all of the space in its jail facilities to house their own felony offenders by 2015. During this same time, the Seattle Public schools have decided they must close several inner-city schools and consolidate several of its treasured programs. Seattle should be known for building castles for education — not jails for crime. This does not seem to be the case.
A few weeks ago, our city experienced one of the biggest snowstorms in over a decade, replete with the usual post-storm analysis. The public’s perception of how the City handled the storm can best be described as “frustration on steroids.” As the Mayor graded the City’s response as a “B” and we questioned the vacation schedules of department heads, I kept reminding myself that we, as a City Council, are the policy leaders and community leaders. As such, the issues of “salt” vs. “GEOMELT” or whether the City is in a position to demand better bus service from the County under snow conditions….are issues that we could own. It could have been determined last year that our use of salt, which could end up in our creeks and Puget Sound, was not considered the major detriment to salmon. I have never blamed a teammate for a team loss and won’t start doing that now. Yes, there is plenty of room to blast the Mayor, the County and even the City Council, but that won’t clear the 1,531 lanes of primary and secondary arterials under a pre-determined plan for snow and ice routes. It is cathartic to state that we could have done a better job. As a City Council, our focus should be “What can we do better!”
By all estimates, an astounding 17.6 million young people in America – nearly half the population of young people between 10 and 18 years of age – live in situations that put them at risk for choosing the wrong path in life, and not living up to their potential, or much, much worse. When a young man was shot near a central district high school in November, he was a victim, as could be the innocent kids attending the school who have an absolute right to be safe at all times and in particular, when they are walking to and from their school. My daughter attends Madrona middle school in the central district. I am immensely concerned. At the core of the problem, are the actions of young people who may have a self-image of violence and destruction; who see no alternatives for their life; and who were never taught or embraced the values of respect, kindness and conflict resolution. I believe that one’s self-image – that which one believes to be true about their self – governs their beliefs, actions and attitude. However, self-imaging can be changed. Blame erodes self-accountability and human effectiveness. Our city must prioritize a commitment to mentorship strategies. As City leaders, we must align and provide the framework for a city-wide, coordinated strategy and call upon every decent person and every capable agency to help these young adults increase their human effectiveness. Our goal will transcend reducing violence and enhancing safety – but increasing the effectiveness of all of our young people. These young Seattleites can be and will be our next generation of productive citizens. 
