Seattle Business Leaders Demand Public Safety Improvements

Seattle business leaders are calling for public safety improvements in the city. A group of 38 leaders, including Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith, Starbucks Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol, and Costco CEO Ron Vachris, signed a letter to Mayor Katie Wilson and the City Council.

The letter, led by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Challenge Seattle, and the Washington Roundtable, urges the city to adopt a 100-day public safety action plan. This plan would include measures such as reactivating CCTV cameras in high-event areas, increasing police patrols, and implementing drug diversion programs.

The business leaders pointed to an August poll that found only 34% of Seattle voters were confident in the city's public safety plan. The poll also found broad support for specific steps, including more police presence, a public safety action plan, and expanded use of cameras.