Seattle, WA
City Attorney says prostitution/drug zone hard to enforce
Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison said it “will take some time to get law enforcement trained” for Stay Out of Drug Area (SODA) and Prostitution (SOAP) zones.
Appearing on “The Jason Rantz Show” on KTTH, Davison emphasized the intent behind these ordinances, stating, “The purpose of SOAP is to disrupt known open-air drug markets and criminal enterprises. We want to make it difficult for those who are dealing drugs to operate in these areas.”
Despite the clear objectives, some Seattle residents have questioned whether these ordinances are being effectively enforced.
Davison acknowledged the challenges, saying, “We stand ready to go, but remember, these are requests made by my prosecutors to a Seattle Municipal Court judge. Only if granted by the judge are these conditions of release set.”
She also provided data on the current enforcement status.
“For SOAP, we have one pending request after a guilty verdict,” Davison said. “For Stay Out of Drug Areas (SODA), there have been three granted requests — two this year and one the year before.”
More from Jason Rantz: Homeless drug addicts, dealers take over vacant lots from Seattle to Auburn
Davison says ‘tracking individuals can be difficult’
When Rantz asked about the practical enforcement of these ordinances, Davidson explained, “If a person goes back into the prohibited zone and an officer sees them, that would be a new criminal act, and we would prosecute that. However, tracking these individuals can be difficult.”
She highlighted the importance of community involvement, stating, “Officers know their neighborhoods and the problematic individuals. Small business owners and residents frequently communicate with officers, making it possible for them to recognize violators.”
Addressing concerns about the effectiveness of these ordinances given current police staffing levels, Davison said, “The purpose of SODA is to disrupt open-air drug markets. We hope the court orders themselves act as a deterrent. Officers typically work their regular shifts and know their beats, so it is possible for them to enforce these conditions.”
Davison assured that officers are informed about individuals subject to these ordinances.
“We make sure precincts are aware of who is subject to SOAP and SODA,” she said. “This is key to enforcement.”
In conclusion, Davison reiterated the commitment to keeping Seattle’s streets safer.
“We want to disrupt criminal enterprises and keep our streets safer,” she shared. “We rely on our officers and aim to support them in their duties.”
More from Jason Rantz: Seattle Police oversight agency mishandled ‘significant number’ of bias complaints, says city
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(WSB photo)
Shannon Woodard, interim executive director of DNDA, visited Mechanics Bank in The Junction this week to accept a $7,500 grant that’ll help support the housing/art/community nonprofit’s work. One big event ahead: The Arts-in-Nature Festival returns on Saturday, June 27, 10 am-8 pm, at Camp Long (5200 35th SW). Admission will be free, and you’ll be able to wander the park to enjoy music, movement, and storytelling performances, as well as immersive art installations in the park’s rustic cabins. Accepting the grant, Woodard told Mechanics Bank’s Andrew Tento (pictured above with her) and Bob Livingston that though her role as interim executive director is new, she’s been on the DNDA board since 2015, and has worked in the housing sector, setting her up for leadership in DNDA’s housing work, too. “As well as providing affordable housing, we prove community,” Woodard noted – and that’s what the June 27 festival will be about, too.
(Colorful clouds during Saturday’s sunset – photo by Sara Walsh; tonight’s sunset is at 9:04 pm)
After a wildly busy Saturday, it’s a quieter Sunday on our West Seattle Event Calendar – here are highlights of what’s happening (and not) on June’s first Sunday, starting with some good news if you have to head east off the peninsula:
TRAFFIC NOTE – I-5 REOPENED EARLY: Thanks for the tip! What was expected to be a full-weekend closure of I-5 northbound between I-90 and the U-District has ended early, and the freeway’s back open.
SUNDAY FUNDAY RUNDAY PRIDE PARTY: 9 am, Westies Run Club runs from Marination Ma Kai (1660 Harbor SW) today, in “Pride Party” mode – rainbows and glitter encouraged!
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: In The Junction, weekly Sunday morning games are happening at The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.
(Saturday photo by Oliver Hamlin for WSB)
THUNDER ROAD GUITARS’ GRAND OPENING WEEKEND: Second day of the celebration for Thunder Road Guitars and The Bass Shop (both WSB sponsors) in their new location at 2611 California SW, 10 am-6 pm, featuring another set of “massive giveaways” plus discounts – details here; our Saturday coverage is here.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open every Sunday year-round on California SW between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, now in almost-summer produce-and-products season – asparagus, lettuce, greens, microgreens, peppers, mushrooms, cabbage, beans, garlic, fruit (strawberries and cherries!), more – and many options for baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, poultry, fresh- and pre-prepared foods, nuts, condiments, pasta …
MASTER GARDENERS AT THE MARKET: If you have a gardening question, you can get an answer from a Master Gardener! Their weekly clinics at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market continue today, 10 am-2 pm. (Look for their booth toward the south end of the market.)
VOLUNTEER AT THE BEE GARDEN: 10 am-noon, all welcome to help at the West Seattle Bee Garden (Lanham & Graham):
The garden looks great but could use a little taming. Weeding is the name of our game this weekend! As usual:
-Dress for the weather
-Bring a water bottle
-And a heads up: The closest restroom is at QED coffee a block or two up the streetNo experience is necessary, just your gardening spirit. Thanks so much for your support of our community garden! I look forward to seeing you out there.
WEEKEND SINGALONG BRUNCH: 10 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), sing to hits of the ’80s, ’90s, ’00s and enjoy a buffet breakfast – if this morning is sold out, look at dates ahead.
FREE NIA CLASS: Begins at 10:15 am; first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
SPRAYPARK SEASON: Daily splashing continues, rain or shine, at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need/want to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to find it at, and borrow it from, the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE RESIST: Regular weekly West Seattle Resist Sunday sign-holding event, 11:30 am-1:30 pm. South of Farmers’ Market. (California SW and SW Alaska)
FREE FLAG-FOOTBALL CLINIC: Girls 10-16 interested in flag football are invited – noon-2 pm on the field at 2701 SW Kenyon, free, just show up! Presented by (but not at) the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor).
COLMAN POOL’S FINAL PRESEASON WEEKEND: Noon-7 pm, final preseason weekend concludes at the outdoor pool on the shore at Lincoln Park – see the session schedule here, with 7-day-a-week operations starting next weekend. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: You’re welcome this afternoon at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
SIP & SCULPT AT MR. B’S: 6 pm creativity opportunity at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW).
BLACK TEA AT REVELRY ROOM: 7 pm-midnight, late-night tea service with host Jack Sanders, info and RSVP here. (4547 California SW)
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: Trivia starts at 7:30 pm – free to play, and you can win prizes! (4302 SW Alaska)
EVENING SCREAMING: This month’s gathering of Scream Club Seattle on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is at 8 pm.
LIVE JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm jazz, with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
Organizing, or helping with, an event that we could add to the WSB community calendar – whether one-time or recurring? Please email the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(PHOTOS BY DAVE GERSHGORN FOR WEST SEATTLE BLOG)
Three hours of remembering and reconnecting are just wrapping up at West Seattle High School, where alumni from many years gathered for the annual All-School Reunion.
Above, WSHS Alumni Association president Karen (Seamens) Dobbs and Nancy (Rutherford) Sleight led attendees in singing the historic alma mater song. Memorabilia was on display as usual:
And more-modern logos adorned school merch offered for sale:
Along with gathering in the commons …
… people also gathered class by class in smaller spaces including classrooms and the library:
Every year the 50th-anniversary class is spotlighted – that meant this year was the turn for those who graduated in the bicentennial year, 1976. You can read what various classes’ alums are up to – and about this year’s two Hall of Fame inductees – in the latest issue of the Alumni Association publication, the Chinook.
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