Seattle City Council has seen the controversial return of SODA (Stay Out of Drug Areas) and SOAP (Stay Out of Areas of Prostitution) ordinances over two decades since their inception. According to the Seattle City Council press release, the passage of CB 120835 (SODA) and CB 120836 (SOAP) has elicited a response from Councilmember Tammy J. Morales of District 2, representing a dissenting perspective on the efficacy of these measures in addressing the city's public health and safety issues.
As reported by the City Council's official website, Morales expressed disappointment in the council's decision, citing research that debunks the effectiveness of SODA and SOAP zones in curbing drug use and human trafficking. Stating, "The City of Seattle had both SODA and SOAP zones for over 20 years and research has proven these orders did not reduce drug use or human trafficking," Morales alludes to a history of ineffective policy regarding these issues.
Morales’s office advocates for a different approach, urging the council to consider following the City Auditor's report. This report supposedly acts as a roadmap, relying on evidence-based strategies to target areas where overdoses and crime are most prevalent. She argues that the revival of SODA and SOAP will have the unintended consequence of making it more difficult for people to access vital services across Seattle.
In her remarks in the press release, Morales stated, "We need real solutions to address the public health and safety crises on our streets. That's why my office has been urging the Council to follow the recommendations detailed in our City Auditor's report which provides a road map on how we can take an evidence-based approach to address where overdoses and crime are concentrated." This sentiment squarely opposes the current legislative direction and calls for a more nuanced and research-informed approach to Seattle's underlying issues of crime and substance abuse.
