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Seattle City Hall (photo from Seattle.gov)
Seattle City Council is rightfully being criticized by their city attorney, their business community, and most of their residents for failing to adopt a drug ordinance consistent with state law. A drug ordinance would have explicitly allowed Seattle’s City Attorney to prosecute drug possession crimes in Seattle that have recently been classified as gross misdemeanors under state law.
Seattle City Council recently voted 5-4 not to pass a drug ordinance, and one of those who voted against it wrote an entry on a Seattle City Council blog attempting to explain the decision. The explanation ignores the fact that drug possession has been demoted from a felony to a gross misdemeanor, and therefore now falls under the authority and responsibility of a city to enforce it. In their argument the Seattle City Council reveals that they are unwilling to spend the resources necessary to enforce gross misdemeanors in their city, and instead expect all the residents of King County to pick up the tab for them.
Per Seattle City Council Member Lisa Herbold “The drug possession bill rejected by the Seattle City Council would have given the Seattle City Attorney’s Office unprecedented power to prosecute some drug possession crimes under Washington State’s drug laws. This has traditionally been, and remains, the responsibility of the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. By not passing the legislation, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will continue to have authority to prosecute drug crimes. The Seattle City Attorney’s Office, simply, will not get any new powers. ”
She misses the point that drug possession was historically the responsibility of the King County prosecutor because it was previously a felony– now that it is a gross-misdemeanor, prosecutions come under city jurisdiction.
Washington law RCW 35.22.280 section (35) gives first class cities the power “To provide for the punishment of all disorderly conduct, and of all practices dangerous to public health or safety, and to make all regulations necessary for the preservation of public morality, health, peace, and good order within its limits, and to provide for the arrest, trial, and punishment of all persons charged with violating any of the ordinances of said city. The punishment shall not exceed a fine of five thousand dollars or imprisonment in the city jail for three hundred sixty-four days, or both such fine and imprisonment. The punishment for any criminal ordinance shall be the same as the punishment provided in state law for the same crime. “
Seattle needs to step up to this basic role of city government. It’s not the responsibility of everyone in King County to pay to prosecute misdemeanor and gross-misdemeanor cases in Seattle. Renton taxpayers have enough challenges covering the costs of these prosecutions in Renton, while also competing to get King County prosecutor attention for felonies like shootings and car jackings, which have been rapidly increasing in recent years. Seattle’s reluctance to accept this responsibility is hurting the entire county.
We in Renton already have our own challenges. Our taxpayers are working hard to cover the costs of prosecutions in our city, while simultaneously striving to secure the attention of the King County prosecutor for serious crimes like shootings and carjackings, which have been on the rise recently.
To make matters worse, we are hosting three Renton hotels where we’re footing the bill to house Seattle’s homeless population.
Housing the homeless isn’t the problem here – we’re more than willing to do our part to alleviate this humanitarian crisis.
But there is a fundamental issue of fairness that’s being overlooked. Why should Renton carry an unequal burden of a regional problem?
Renton Councilmember Ed Prince is a member of the King County Regional Homeless Authority. His primary duty is to protect and advocate for Renton’s interests. But, in this situation, it feels like Renton’s needs are being pushed aside. We have our own homeless population to care for – why isn’t Ed ensuring that they are cared for?
It’s time for Councilmember Prince to step up and champion for Renton. We need him to ensure our community gets a fair deal and our homeless population isn’t neglected in favor of Seattle’s.
It’s a matter of fairness and justice, and it’s high time we got it.
You’re right. The Red Lion only allowed 3% of the rooms to go to the homeless living on Renton streets and rivers etc.
They moved some of the very worst Seattle homeless/criminals from the Madison hotel which is known to house the worst of the worst.
I’m sick of Dow Constantine shoving their problems onto us.
Well according to the RCW covering jurisdiction is she wrong? Unless I’m understanding this wrong It clearly says district courts are responsible for prescuting misdemeanors.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=3.66.060
Randy, I deeply appreciate your insight and commitment to looking out for our interests in Renton. It’s clear that you’re observing the big picture, a perspective that many other leaders seem to miss.
They’re passing the buck on prosecuting gross misdemeanors, like drug offenses, to the county, even though it’s their city’s responsibility. And because of this, cities like ours, Renton, end up bearing the financial brunt.
And this isn’t just about finances – it’s about ensuring public safety and maintaining the peace in our communities. It’s high time that Seattle steps up to their responsibilities and doesn’t pass their problems onto neighboring cities.
Let’s hope that our collective voices can spur a change, and thank you, Randy, for championing this issue on behalf of our community
Greg
Once again, the familiar narrative of reactionary measures and scapegoating that’s all too predictable. The Seattle City Council, for once, seems to be taking a step in the right direction. Rather than defaulting to punitive measures, they’re eschewing the conventional “tough on crime” stance that’s been weaponized against marginalized communities for decades.
Let’s get this straight: the drug laws, most of which have been enacted by white, cisgender men, are not just laws; they’re tools of social control designed to penalize BIPOC and QPOC communities. The demotion of drug possession from a felony to a gross misdemeanor isn’t a sign of leniency, but a shift in the burden of enforcement from the state to the cities. It’s not about ‘resources’; it’s about a systemic tactic to continue the cycle of punishment in communities already struggling under the weight of inequality and discrimination.
Randy’s “indignation” is an all too familiar tune – chastising Seattle for not adopting a similar ordinance that amplifies the systemic harms of drug criminalization. While quick complain about the cost of prosecuting misdemeanors, he conveniently forgets to mention the enormous human and societal cost borne by those disproportionately affected by these laws.
Renton’s stance is a stark example of regressive, punitive policy-making. Rather than supporting restorative justice and social support systems, they’re choosing to double down on a failed “war on drugs.” They could learn a thing or two from Seattle’s break from the status quo
Renton Councilmembers Carmen, Ed and Ryan are 100% right. We need to chose evidence-based solution to this problem, and not just grandstand politically to play to the fears of WT people.
Well ok then. Let’s let fentanyl users just die on the street.
Good news for you, you racist putz, as most users are “WT.”
Summerboi, can you please elaborate on an “evidence based solution” that the cities have control of implementing? I know we need comprehensive universal healthcare for example, but that is not up to the cities nor can they provide it. But I also don’t want my kids to help clean up “litter” only to find they’ve picked up used syringes or burned foil. If people aren’t allowed to walk around with a beer can or wine glass, why would we not regulate public possession of other controlled substances?
SummerBoi there were 589 fentanyl overdose deaths in Seattle last year, up 72% from the year before. This devastating loss of life comes after two years of decriminalizing fentanyl and other highly-addictive drugs to test the hypothesis that more people will seek treatment and get help if drugs are destigmatized. How many more must die before we acknowledge that creating a booming fentanyl market has not made people healthier.
Randy, It’s not simply about numbers and percentages; it’s about human lives, most of whom belong to marginalized communities, especially the QTPOC communities. You’re quick to point out overdose statistics but conveniently ignore the systemic oppression, poverty, and nasty drug laws that contribute to these tragic figures.
We all agree that overdose deaths are devastating and unacceptable. However, you need to understand that punitive drug laws are not the solution. Decriminalization alone is not enough.
Instead of blaming those who sell these drugs for a problem created by systemic failures, we should be investing in compassionate, evidence-based solutions that help people. Let’s imagine a world where everyone has access to the support and resources they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Only THEN can we start to see real change.
We need to support the Seattle City Council and our Renton City Council allies, for they are taking bold steps towards meaningful change. This shift is not easy, and it won’t happen overnight. It requires courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the cause of racial justice and racial equity. That’s why we must show our allies that they’re not alone in this fight. They are on the right side of history, and WE stand firmly with them.
Carmen,
Once again you’ve skipped over the importance of the new laws and how beneficial they are. The laws will finally help drug addicts who can no longer think for themselves be given a way to get off drugs and get back to reality. The law was backed by the majority of Renton citizens.
I’m sick of this narrative you try to keep pushing. It is not against people of color or sexual preferences. It’s about ALL the people dying on our streets. Which, by the way, I’ve only seen white people stoned out of their minds stumbling around our city. I have actually never seen any BIPOC.
Why would anyone want to leave people to commit suicide right out in the open. Is it because they’re white that you want to leave them on the street?
How can you not care there are now hundreds of Mother’s who’s children are now dead due to those “progressive” laws you so love? Progressive laws that have set us back years and killed way too many.
Seattle houses more rich people than anywhere else in Washington. They can afford and should pay the costs.
Renton Council Members Carmen, Ed and Ryan are all racists against white people and need to be removed immediately. We’ll be sure to make that happen.
BTW Randy Corman could replace all 3 of you with the vast knowledge of our city and what’s happening in our surrounding cities as well as Olympia.
You’re not the Unicorn you think you are, just a modern day moron
Jane Doe, whither it is Summerboi, Carmen or whoever, they are only trying to get people to believe that they are being picked on, for ALL people live is unfair at one time or another, just like people have different opinions on privilege, doesn’t make them correct. They just scream loud hoping someone listens to their baloney. To say one person is privileged or picked on because of something is only in the eyes of that person. Breaking the laws put for to protect the majority need to be enforced to allow peaceful living with each other. Some like to say the laws are broken and the war on drugs lost but it is only lost when laws are not enforced.
I think I know what you mean about lumping Ed and Ryan in with Carmen’s daddy-issue based heterophobia and racism. To be fair, I think Ed and Ryan just went along because they’re too afraid to cross her
While it is sad that Seattle can’t figure out they have a problem, what about Unincorporated King County? How will it help or hurt Renton with 3 large residential areas in Unincorporated King County touching the Renton City Limits. I know Police and Fire will cross boundary lines but what about the legal system or mental help?
Renton’s poured $1.9 billion into SoundTransit, and what do we have to show for it?
Nothing. No improved services, no new routes, just empty promises. It’s an utter disgrace, a clear failure of our Renton leadership at SoundTransit. Renton taxpayers deserve accountability. Where is our return on investment?
Our city’s needs can’t be ignored any longer. We’re not a cash cow to be milked for other projects – we deserve our fair share. It’s time for action. Enough is enough.
That’s a bit off-topic, but a bit interesting. When you think about it, what are we getting from SoundTransit for our money?
Nothing. All our money is going to make Seattle/Bellevue/Mercer-Island have awesome transit. They get stations, art, and parking.
We get f#u$ked, because the people that represent us don’t care about us.
Call Ed Prince. Ask him what he’s done for Renton. He’s our representative on the SoundTransit Board.
Actually, no need to call. All he’s done is vote our fair share of money away.
Just to point out that 1.9 billion is about $50,000 per Renton household.
That get’s you a new Tesla (after tax rebate) and airfare for three people to Kenya and back.
Instead we get nothing.
Wow, $50,000 per household so far. I knew we were closing in on $2 billion from Renton to Sound Transit, but this really brings it home when you look at the per-household cost to date. We’ve received five shared bus stops for this investment to date. For anyone that missed them, this link will take you to my articles on Sound Transit https://www.randycorman.com/?s=sound+transit
It works out this way because business also pay a lot of ST taxes, but the point stands in that it’s people that would have used the transit.
The King County Prosecutor is standing up to these idiots:
King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion issued a statement saying, “There is an incorrect notion that misdemeanor drug possession or public use cases falling within Seattle city limits can simply be referred to King County to handle as contracted services.
“State law may technically allow for a municipality to enter into a contract for prosecution services, but the contract would need to be negotiated and agreed upon. The PAO does not have the funding or the staff necessary to take on a new body of misdemeanor cases… To me, it does not make sense to have Seattle’s misdemeanor work split between the Seattle City Attorney’s Office and PAO. This approach would be cumbersome, impractical, and cause significant confusion. There also is the question of whether Seattle Police have jurisdiction to investigate these types of crimes without a Seattle ordinance mirroring state law.”
Thanks for sharing this statement from Leesa Manion. I had not seen it in the media, and I’m glad she’s speaking out.
I’m starting to like Leesa. She’s is more lenient that I would like, but she’s also willing to change and adapt when confronted with a new challenge.
Leesa and Ferell were so close to each other that they both had to message to the left and right, respectively. Neither are ideologues.