Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is putting forth new legislation aimed at bolstering the city's stance on chronic nuisance properties. The announcement made by the mayor addresses the need to ramp up public safety measures around environments with repeated criminal activity. "We are committed to ensuring every Seattle resident feels safe and secure in their neighborhood," Harrell declared, emphasizing that "fortifying our chronic nuisance property rules is an important step to protect communities from repeated harm," as reported by the official mayoral website.
Under the proposed amendments, the ordinance will include liquor law violations among offenses that can designate a property as a problematic site. A key focus of this change is to tackle after-hours venues and other establishments continually flout liquor regulations. Additionally, off-property nuisance activities will also fall under the ordinance's purview, particularly if they involve individuals linked to the property in question. In a nod to other Washington cities with similar enforcement strategies, Harrell's proposal responds to the current gaps in the existing ordinance first established in 2009.
Despite being in effect for over 16 years, the ordinance has been applied sparingly, with just 17 instances of properties being declared as chronic nuisances, including various motels, nightclubs, and residential buildings. The update to the regulation intends to enhance the city's leverage in mitigating these issues before they escalate. According to the Office of the Mayor, the new tools will support "a safe and vibrant nightlife," which he equates as foundational to "the well-being and prosperity of our entire city." Barnes cited an example where the City shut down a Rainier Beach nightclub after it was declared a chronic nuisance following a double homicide and prior shootings.
Reactions to the proposed legislation are emerging from multiple sectors. Seattle City Councilmember Bob Kettle said, "Strengthening the chronic nuisance law will improve safety for residents impacted by ongoing issues in vulnerable areas throughout the City." In tandem with the Council's public safety initiatives, the legislation aims to add another layer of protection for neighborhoods. Lieutenant Kenny Stuart, President of the Seattle Fire Fighters Union, expressed appreciation for the measures, believing they will " make our city safer for fire fighters and the public" the Office of the Mayor stated.
