Seattle, WA

SCC president: Seattle stay out zones are 'better than nothing'

Published

1 year ago

September 19, 2024

SCC president: Seattle stay out zones are 'better than nothing'

The more you hear public officials talk about Seattle’s proposed “Stay Out” zones, the more you seem to hear, “Well, it’s better than nothing.”

Add Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson to the chorus. She was on Seattle’s Morning News to defend the ordinance.

The debate centers around how Seattle should handle illegal drug use and sex solicitation. This week, the council voted on two bills, one which approved the creation of six “Stay Out” drug zones throughout Seattle, and one similar zone along Aurora Avenue, specifically targeting prostitution.

“We’re trying to change the message that we are sending to the outside world,” Nelson said on KIRO Newsradio. “And frankly, what else are we going to do? Are we just going to do nothing and accept this is the status quo? That is the position that the council is in right now, and so 8-1 votes on both of those bills does say something.”

Gee & Ursula: Seattle ‘Stay Out’ zones won’t make prostitution, homelessness go away

Critics have questioned how the stay out zones are going to work. Many focus on the shortage of police officers in the city and the “soft” nature of the ordinances as the reasons they will not work.

“I understand that we have a police staffing problem, but it does matter that we are taking proactive steps,” Nelson explained. “Current laws are not working, and we’re going to do something about it and protect the people that are being victimized and exploited.”

When public comment was taking place in front of the council, sex workers actually took a stand against many aspects of the ordinances. One woman said she was trying to pay for a college education as she was raising a daughter. She wanted the council to leave her alone.

“It is true that people represented their experience in sex work,” Nelson said. “And frankly, that’s not what we’re seeing on on Aurora Avenue for the most part. So we have to recognize that some people are engaged in this work to make some money to support themselves, and other people are engaging in it because they are being exploited by by pimps and and not necessarily giving their consent when it comes to the work that they’re doing.”

Nelson said that although there are many holes in the ordinances, they represent substantial progress from what has been the case in the past few years.

“One of the benefits of having it on the books is it provides an opportunity for officers to approach the sellers or the women on the street,” she said. “And this law expressly states that the first disposition is to provide services to divert women.”

Nelson said there is no perfect solution but this gives police more tools to deal with the situation.

Background: Seattle City Council passes legislation creating SODA, SOAP zones

“It probably takes repeated contact and and just the the growing visibility that officers are approaching women and offering help,” she explained. “And it takes repeated touches, but at least we are, are focusing on trying to offer some help.”

What isn’t included are funds that would add to the already overrun programs.

“If only it were a matter of allocating dollars,” she said. “That is the problem. Every year we pass a budget that paid for, I believe, that it provides the funding to hire 125 more officers. However, we are dealing quarter after quarter with a net negative of officers. That is a whole other problem, and we’re working on that as well.”

Nelson claimed the situation on Aurora has gotten “remarkably worse.”

“If you listen to the testimony of the neighbors that see it day in and day out that live very closely, you will see a different picture portrayed than someone who chooses to go into an aspect of sex work for whatever other reason,” she said.

Nelson said that the bottom line to the new ordinances is they draw a line in the sand.

“We are focusing on the oath that we take when we assumed office, which is to protect the health and well being and safety of the people of Seattle,” she said.

Bill Kaczaraba is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read his stories here. Follow Bill on X, formerly known as Twitter, here and email him here.

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Seattle, WA

Seattle leaders mark 100 days until FIFA World Cup with artwork, security plans

Published

44 minutes ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Seattle leaders mark 100 days until FIFA World Cup with artwork, security plans

The countdown to the FIFA World Cup hit a milestone Tuesday, approximately 100 days from the start of the global soccer tournament, which is being played this time in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Seattle is one of 16 host cities for the tournament, with the first game at Lumen Field scheduled for June 15.

Seattle-area hosts could net $3,800 as Airbnb eyes home sharing for FIFA World Cup fans

City leaders at a press conference on Tuesday described specific changes underway to welcome an estimated 750,000 people during the six matches, from adding new artwork in downtown to bolstering security.

“Our aim is actually to revitalize, reinvigorate, rejuvenate the downtown core,” Seattle World Cup Organizing Committee CEO Peter Tomozawa stated.

People who take a trip through downtown Seattle will see that part of that work has started in anticipation of the World Cup, with 53 colorful paintings on the columns of the monorail, showcasing the flags of the countries of the competing teams.

“In just 100 days, people will come back to Seattle and will be using the system to travel back and forth to various events related to [the] FIFA World Cup,” Seattle Monorail Services Megan Ching said.

“The visitors who are coming here for the World Cup are already booking their trips: where to stay, how to get around and what to explore,” added Jorge Gotuzzo with Visit Seattle.

Darkalinos restaurant hopes the events planned for Pioneer Square will convince new customers to return beyond the tournament.

“The summer season is what keeps us going,” General Manager Crystal Hernandez told KOMO News. “We’re going to have a beer garden in the plaza. There will be some live music outside.”

Behind the scenes, work continues to plan for crowd control and security. That means round table meetings and partnerships at the international, federal, state and local levels.

Iran’s participation in Seattle World Cup match up in the air following US strikes

“We’ve been working on the security plan for over three years,” Tomozawa explained. “We hired former SPD Chief John Diaz to design the plan and I have to say this is one of our highest priorities, for sure.”

Downtown Seattle Association President and CEO Jon Scholes adds that businesses are eager to build on the success of the recent Seahawks Super Bowl parade. He said there will be watch parties for the matches at Westlake, Pacific Place and along the waterfront.

“Seattle’s a big event town, and we can do it well and produce a lot of joy for hundreds of thousands of people,” Scholes stated.

The World Cup Organizing Committee mentioned Seattle’s walkability makes it a great location for the tournament. It’s why they also announced a new walking path to connect multiple neighborhoods that will stay beyond the summer.

Seattle to host 4 free FIFA World Cup 2026 fan celebration venues starting June 11

It’s called the Unity Loop, runs about four-and-a-quarter miles and will connect the stadiums, waterfront, Seattle Center, Westlake and the CID, but no specifics were provided.

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Seattle, WA

Seattle police arrest man accused of throwing rocks at cars and buses, injuring two

Published

13 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Seattle police arrest man accused of throwing rocks at cars and buses, injuring two

SEATTLE — A 36-year-old man was arrested after Seattle police say he threw rocks at passing cars in South Seattle early Tuesday, shattering a truck window and injuring a couple in their 50s.

Patrol officers responded at 12 a.m. to reports of a man hurling rocks near Rainier Avenue South and South Henderson Street.

SEE ALSO | 3 hurt after late-night crash sends car into north Seattle auto parts store

Police said they found the couple with facial injuries after their truck window shattered. Firefighters treated both victims at the scene, and the couple then drove to a nearby hospital for further treatment.

Officers found the suspect nearby and arrested him. According to the police report, the man made “multiple threats to shoot officers in the head and kick and punch officers before and after being placed into custody.”

Police also spoke with a King County Metro transit supervisor who reported that two Metro coaches had damage to their windshields and route destination signs after being struck by rocks. Police said no drivers or passengers were hurt.

More witnesses also told police they saw the suspect throwing rocks at moving vehicles.

Police said the suspect is a convicted felon and was booked into the King County Jail for investigation of assault, malicious mischief, and property destruction. Detectives in the General Investigations Unit are assigned to the case.

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Seattle, WA

Joey Daccord makes 35 saves as Seattle Kraken earn 2-1 win over Hurricanes

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Joey Daccord makes 35 saves as Seattle Kraken earn 2-1 win over Hurricanes

article

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – MARCH 02: Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes shoots the puck during the second period of a game against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on March 02, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Christopher Mast / NHLI / Getty Images)

SEATTLE – Joey Daccord made 35 saves and the Seattle Kraken survived a 6-on-4 penalty kill for the final 90 seconds for a 2-1 victory over the East’s top team in the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday night.

Kaapo Kakko and Ben Meyers each scored in the second period for the Kraken as they managed to beat a Hurricanes team that has the second-best record in the NHL, trailing only the Colorado Avalanche. The Kraken are now in a playoff spot by five points as they hold the No. 3 seed in the Pacific Division with 22 games to play.

Nikolaj Ehlers scored the only goal of the night for the Hurricanes late in the second period, but Seattle was able to withstand Carolina’s offensive push in the final period to secure a second straight victory.

The Hurricanes are always a high-volume shooting team and Daccord faced plenty of chances. Carolina had 83 shot attempts to just 31 for the Kraken. Shots on goal were 36-15 in favor of the Hurricanes as well, but scoring chances were just 20-13 in Carolina’s favor as Seattle did a good job limiting the danger of the shots sent at Daccord.

It was an eventful but scoreless first period between the two teams, with Carolina owning a 13-7 edge in shots. All three goals would come in the second.

Adam Larsson – who assisted on both goals for Seattle – deflected an Alexander Nikishin into the neutral zone to start a two-on-one rush chance for Kakko with Berkly Catton in support as Kakko ripped a shot through the armpit of Carolina goaltender Frederik Andersen for a 1-0 lead.

Kakko said he wanted to make the pass to Catton, but the lane was covered by Shane Ghostisbehere, so he elected to shoot.

The Kraken earned a power play chance three minutes later on a tripping call against Eric Robinson. Carolina completely neutered the man-advantage for the first 90 seconds before the Kraken appeared to extend the lead.

With 15 seconds left on the power play, the Kraken rushed into the Hurricanes’ zone with Kakko finding a streaking Jaden Schwartz open on the back door for an easy finish behind Andersen. However, Carolina successfully challenged the goal for a missed offsides on Shane Wright that wiped out the goal.

But the Kraken still managed to extend the lead soon after.

Jacob Melanson continues to be a spark plug for Seattle and helped restore the momentum immediately after the disallowed goal. On the shift coming out of the power play, Melanson delivered a big hit and connected with Adam Larsson on a breakout pass that sparked a rush. Ben Meyers crashed toward the net and was able to finish off his own rebound on a pass from Freddy Gaudreau to officially make it a 2-0 lead.

Melanson didn’t even get an assist out of the sequence, but was a big part of creating a goal for Seattle.

After being extremely sharp defensively all night, Carolina finally pounced on an opportunity the Kraken were unable to turn away. Vince Dunn was just unable to control a loose puck in front of Seattle’s net as it landed on the stick of Nikolaj Ehlers instead, who snapped a shot past Daccord to make it a 2-1 game with 90 seconds left in the second period.

The Hurricanes took 32 shots in the third period as they attempted to find a tying goal, but only nine made it to Daccord, and he stopped them all.

Eeli Tolvanen was called for Seattle’s first and only penalty of the night – a holding call after breaking his stick – with 90 seconds left to play. With Andersen on the bench for a six-on-four chance for Carolina, Daccord stopped all three shots he faced to close out the win for Seattle.

The Source: Information in this story came from FOX 13 Seattle reporting.

MORE KRAKEN NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE

Jordan Eberle scores twice as Seattle Kraken roll to 5-1 win over Canucks

Dylan Holloway scores hat trick as Seattle Kraken lose 5-1 to Blues

Seattle Kraken flounder to 4-1 loss to Stars in return from Olympics break

Seattle Kraken reach two-year extensions with Ben Meyers, Ryan Winterton

Shane Wright scores twice as Seattle Kraken beat Kings 4-2

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