Seattle, WA
Should Seattle reinstate its prostitution loitering law?
Aurora Avenue debate: Should Seattle reinstate its prostitution loitering law?
With many concerned over crime on Seattle’s notorious Aurora Avenue, one city councilmember suggested reinstating an old prostitution loitering law.
SEATTLE – A renewed push for action on Seattle’s notorious Aurora Avenue has emerged.
Reports show that City Councilmember Cathy Moore suggested the reinstatement of an old loitering law to address escalating concerns over crime in the corridor. The proposal comes amidst mounting worries about exploitation and trafficking, issues that Mayor Bruce Harrell’s office has also vowed to tackle.
Harrell’s office announced Tuesday that May 7th will be designated as Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Day. The proclamation was made during an annual luncheon hosted by the non-profit organization StolenYouth, which identifies Aurora as the epicenter of sex trafficking in Washington State.
Renee Wallace, representing StolenYouth, highlighted the severity of the problem, noting that trafficking extends along the 99 corridor from Pacific Highway in the south to Aurora in the north. She emphasized that many children engaged in the sex trade are doing so out of necessity and may not fully comprehend the exploitation they endure.
StolenYouth estimates an estimated 500 children and youth (under the age of 24) are trafficked each year in Seattle alone.
“It’s a huge issue, especially since the pandemic, it has increased,” noted Wallace. “It’s not only on Aurora Avenue but it’s online as well.”
Wallace’s concerns are echoed by recent events, including a disturbing case earlier this year where Bellevue Police arrested a man who used Snapchat to lure underage girls from Oregon to his Federal Way home. Subsequently, the girls were forced into sex work on Aurora.
The issues on Aurora extend beyond exploitation, as evidenced by a recent incident captured on camera in March, depicting gunfire exchanged during a turf war between pimps near Northgate. Residents in the area have expressed growing fear for their safety amidst the escalating violence.
Aurora Avenue falls within District 5, represented by newly elected City Councilmember Cathy Moore, who has been inundated with complaints from constituents. In response, Moore has floated the idea of reviving an old city ordinance related to prostitution loitering, which was repealed unanimously in 2020 due to concerns over the potential discriminatory impact and arbitrary enforcement of such laws.
While some advocate for a crackdown, others, like Renee Wallace, emphasize the importance of prevention and addressing the root causes of exploitation. As a former victim of trafficking herself, Wallace believes that understanding and addressing the underlying vulnerabilities is crucial in combating sex trafficking.
“We tend to put a lot of Band-Aids on things and the city is hemorrhaging,” Wallace pointed out. “There is the misconception that it’s only happening out on the streets. Kids are more susceptible to getting exploited by playing online video games.”
As discussions continue, attention turns to whether Mayor Harrell will support Moore’s proposal. Her office reports she has been discussing solutions with his office in addition to former sex workers, the city attorney and Seattle Police.
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Seattle, WA
‘Do you care more about the kids or the drug addicts?’: Jake calls out Seattle for potential homeless shelters near schools – MyNorthwest.com
After the Seattle City Council moved forward with legislation that would expand temporary homeless shelters without buffer zones near schools, KIRO host Jake Skorheim questioned who the city really cares about.
Jake wondered aloud about what goes on in a Seattle City Council member’s head, assuming they even read the proposal.
“They see the thing, they go like, ‘Well, what do we think about this one here, about school zones?’ They’re like, ‘I don’t know about that. Let’s scratch that out. We can have homeless people around school zones, drug addicts, people who are trying to get their fix,’” he said on “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio.
Seattle legislation would increase shelter capacity by 50%
If approved, the legislation would let temporary shelter sites, including tiny home villages, RV safe lots, and tent encampments, increase capacity by 50%, raising the maximum from 100 to 150 residents.
Approved amendments would require sites with more than 100 beds to maintain public safety plans and around-the-clock staffing. Another amendment would require shelters to establish agreements with surrounding neighborhoods outlining expectations for resident behavior and site management. A final amendment mandates at least one manager for every 15 high-needs residents.
Still, several nonprofits urged council members to pass the bill without amendments, arguing the added restrictions could slow resources to people experiencing homelessness and further stigmatize them.
Jake had a question for city leaders: “Who do you care more about? You care more about the kids or the homeless drug addicts?”
Watch the full discussion in the video above.
Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.
Seattle, WA
Seattle beer garden employee found fatally shot inside business
SEATTLE — Seattle police are investigating a homicide after a man was found dead Saturday morning at a business in the city’s Lake City neighborhood, authorities said.
Officers responded to the 8500 block of Lake City Way Northeast after employees arriving to open the Growler Guys, a beer garden and restaurant, discovered a deceased man inside around 9 a.m. Saturday, Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes said at the scene.
The man, who police confirmed to be an employee in his early 20s, appeared to have died from gunshot wounds, Barnes said.
Seattle Fire Department personnel pronounced him dead.
Dozens of friends and family members of the young victim spent hours on the scene Saturday, and many were visibly overcome with emotion.
Kelly Dole, owner of the Growler Guys, described the victim as a warm, light-hearted young man.
“He was the type of friend that everybody wanted to have,” Dole said. “His group of friends, which includes my son, are really going to miss him. They’re about as tight as a group of young men can be.”
The victim had been working at the business the night before; however, Seattle police have not confirmed when the shooting happened or what may have led up to it.
“When we have things like this, we have to reevaluate what we could’ve done better,” Chief Barnes said. “How can we make sure that we’re doing everything in our power to bring justice to this family, because quite frankly, they deserve it.”
Detectives are focusing their investigation on the business and were processing the scene for evidence Saturday. Officers, investigators, chaplains, and support services were present.
The restaurant’s owners are cooperating with police, Barnes said. Dole was emotional while speaking with KOMO News about how the tragic shooting has shaken his neighborhood business.
“He always had a smile; he was so buoyant, you could never get him down,” Dole talked about the victim. “The world lost someone important today.”
Authorities said residents can expect an increased police presence in the area as the investigation continues and in the coming days.
There is no suspect information at this time, and police did not make any arrests. The circumstances leading up to the killing are under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.
The killing marks Seattle’s 12th homicide of the year, according to Barnes.
This is a developing news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Seattle, WA
Where to watch Seattle Mariners vs Chicago White Sox: TV channel, start time, streaming for May 9
What to know about MLB’s ABS robot umpire strike zone system
MLB launches ABS challenge system as players test robot umpire calls in a groundbreaking season.
Baseball is back and finding what channel your favorite team is playing on has become a little bit more confusing since MLB announced plans to produce and distribute broadcasts for nearly a third of the league.
We’re here to help. Here’s everything you need to know Saturday as the Seattle Mariners visit the Chicago White Sox.
See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.
What time is Seattle Mariners vs Chicago White Sox?
First pitch between the Chicago White Sox and Seattle Mariners is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, May 9.
How to watch Seattle Mariners vs Chicago White Sox on Saturday
All times Eastern and accurate as of Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 6:32 a.m.
Watch MLB all season long with Fubo
MLB regional blackout restrictions apply
MLB scores, results
MLB scores for May 9 games are available on usatoday.com . Here’s how to access today’s results:
See scores, results for all of today’s games.
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