SEATTLE — Hours after Mayor Katie Wilson asked Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes to resign, City Council members voiced their concerns about the mayor’s choice to remove the police chief amid an active and ongoing investigation into the deadly mass shooting that took place at the Bite of Seattle last Sunday.
Seattle City Council members have issued written statements or spoken to KOMO News’s Chris Daniels on camera explaining what transpired at City Hall over the last 24 hours and how some of them are “deeply concerned” about what’s happening.
“If true, the impulsive and reckless decision to fire Chief Shon Barnes is the latest in a series of missteps, including her inadequate response to serious gun violence in our city,” said Councilmember Maritza Rivera in part, speaking about Mayor Wilson. “Her lack of experience and her incompetence have led to poor decision-making and put the safety of our communities at risk.”
At 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Mayor Wilson’s Office released an official statement saying that Chief Barnes has resigned and an interim chief has been appointed.
Below are the full statements from Seattle’s City Council members and interviews obtained by KOMO News earlier in the day before Wilson’s confirmation of Barnes’ resignation.
Interview with Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1)
“It’s not a decision I would have made, especially amid a tragedy,” Saka said, referencing the mass shooting at Seattle Center on Sunday, and the mayor’s decision to remove Barnes as police chief. “We’re still in the middle of a crisis.”
Interview with Seattle City Councilmember Eddie Lin (District 2)
“It’s obviously an issue of great concern to the community, and as a City Council member,” said Lin. He went on to say that if Barnes was to be removed, he is confident in the assistant police chief and the whole Seattle Police Department to be able to handle the ongoing investigation, as well as the security at the upcoming Seafair weekend.
Interview with Seattle City Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth (District 3)
“I believe this decision to ask a police chief to resign or to let him go is irresponsible and it’s a tad bit reckless, and it puts us in a very difficult position as a city,” said Hollingsworth.
Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) released the following statement
“It has been 24 hours since rumors started swirling about the firing of Chief Barnes, and we have not heard one word from Mayor Wilson. This is unacceptable.
“If true, the impulsive and reckless decision to fire Chief Shon Barnes is the latest in a series of missteps, including her inadequate response to serious gun violence in our city. Her lack of experience and her incompetence have led to poor decision-making and put the safety of our communities at risk.
“Chief Barnes has outstanding experience. He is nationally recognized for his crime reduction work and his efforts to build better relations between police and community.
“In my district alone, Chief Barnes’ model of community policing has made a significant, positive difference. In my personal experience, I have found Chief Barnes to be responsive and collaborative in ways that a police chief should be.
“SPD’s and Fire’s handling of the tragic events at Seattle Center was stellar; I have heard that directly from people who were there. Instead of commending Chief Barnes’ department for its swift and effective response, it is clear, and very unfortunate, that the mayor has decided to play politics and to pin her delayed and inadequate response to this weekend’s tragedy on a well-respected and effective police chief.”
Interview with Seattle City Councilmember Debora Juarez (District 5)
“I’m more concerned about what’s happening in the mayor’s office and the danger it would cause to our city and what this mayor is up to,” said Juarez.
“These are more than just missteps. I see a complete lack of leadership, and for us, and some of us, a no confidence in this administration,” Juarez continued. “I don’t think that this mayor has made the transition from activist, to campaign, to Mayor Wilson, and I think it’s showing in real-time the things that we’re seeing.”
Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Position 8) released the following statement
“Our community has been in mourning. This past weekend alone, 13 of our neighbors were shot, injured, or killed from gun violence.
“This includes a shooting on Thursday evening that injured three women off Aurora Avenue, another that happened in Capitol Hill that left three people injured early Saturday morning, and Sunday’s mass shooting at Seattle Center’s Bite of Seattle event killed three people and injured four people, including a two-year-old.
“This continued violence is traumatic and unacceptable for everyone who calls Seattle home.
“At a time like this, the people of Seattle deserve leadership who are focused on working together to improve public safety and restore confidence in their government. That remains my highest priority.
“I am disappointed that I found out about the possible dismissal of Chief Barnes from reports on social media last night and did not receive any update or information about this development from the Mayor or Mayor’s Office until mid-morning today. Chief Barnes’ recent interactions with press have been concerning, but I have yet to receive an explanation of what decisions have or haven’t been made, or a full rationale behind why any decision has been made.
“While I respect the distinct roles and responsibilities of each branch of government, in order to have a government that works, the City Council, the Mayor, and the City Attorney must work together.
“As we navigate next steps, let’s make this is a moment where City Hall takes the work of good governance seriously, where communications between branches are improved, and we are working together for the safety of our residents.”
Interview with Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson
Gov. Bob Ferguson, while mostly removed from the situation happening at Seattle City Hall, spoke to KOMO News about the apparent tension between Mayor Wilson and Chief Barnes. He spoke about his relationship with the Washington State Patrol chief, and how those relationships are critical to being effective.
New reaction from Seattle City Council
Just after 4 p.m. Thursday, Council President Joy Hollingsworth (District 3), Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6), Councilmember Debora Juarez (District 5), and Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7, Public Safety Chair), released the below statement following the official announcement from Mayor Wilson that Police Chief Shon Barnes has resigned.
“Our city faces profound public safety challenges, from youth gun violence destroying lives to drug markets and human trafficking plaguing our neighborhoods. After the Seattle Center shooting, our focus should be on the lives lost and how we can address gun violence in our city. Tackling these crises and creating a safer Seattle requires strong, stable leadership.
“When communities are grieving, major decisions should be made with great deliberation; making a significant leadership change in this moment puts our city in a precarious situation. Having cycled through four police chiefs in just two and a half years, our priority must be stability, not further disruption. The people of Seattle deserve reliable leadership, especially as we close out a busy summer of public events.
“Right now, our focus should be on keeping residents and visitors safe, providing stability and clear leadership, reducing gun violence in Southeast Seattle and ensuring public safety agencies are coordinated and delivering timely alerts and public information.”
“We stand with community members who came forward today to express their support for Chief Barnes and the work he has been doing. We are disappointed to see his departure and thank him for his service.”
Statement from Downtown Seattle Association President & CEO Jon Scholes
“Seattle had been on a positive course on public safety with police hiring trending up and crime trending down, particularly in the downtown core,” said Scholes. “It’s imperative the next chief of police is able to maintain progress that’s been made and instill confidence in our community.”
This is a developing story; more statements and reactions will be added as KOMO News gathers them.
