As this editorial web page noted previously, Seattle and Bellevue are neighbors that seemingly inhabit totally different universes.
From optimism (or lack thereof) to confidence of their respective elected management, Seattle and Bellevue couldn’t be extra totally different. Newest living proof: municipal drug legal guidelines.
The general public well being disaster is evident. As Occasions reporter Sara Jean Green noted, with 4 months left in 2023, fatalities to this point this yr from illicit fentanyl throughout King County stood Thursday at 704, in response to knowledge from Public Well being – Seattle & King County. That’s simply eight shy of 2022’s complete of 712 fentanyl-involved overdose deaths.
On June 26, the Bellevue Metropolis Council unanimously adopted the so-called Blake Repair handed by the Legislature in particular session, which made drug use and possession a gross misdemeanor however steered defendants to therapy. Jail was a final resort for many who continued to make use of with out getting assist.
“It simply makes widespread sense. The state has new prison codes and we clearly have to implement these legal guidelines. So why wait? There’s no purpose to attend,” mentioned Bellevue Councilmember Conrad Lee in the course of the assembly.
Of their deliberations, council members highlighted that Bellevue has a set of diversion techniques and therapy packages out there as a substitute for reserving those that need assistance.
“This complete thought solely works for me if therapy is actually out there for individuals,” mentioned Mayor Lynne Robinson.
The Bellevue Chamber of Commerce was fast to notice the distinction with Seattle’s expertise. It despatched out an announcement on June 28 drawing a distinction to Seattle.
“Therapy should be the precedence, however the previous few years of experimentation are clear: A hands-off strategy to drug use is killing individuals at an unprecedented charge,” mentioned Joe Fain, president of the Bellevue Chamber, in an announcement. “Bellevue as soon as once more confirmed {that a} various group of metropolis leaders can come collectively to assist these in want whereas defending public security.”
Two months later, Seattle continues to be ready for a path ahead.
An ordinance adopting state drug legal guidelines and therapy got here earlier than the Seattle Metropolis Council on June 6. Sponsored by Councilmembers Sara Nelson, Alex Pedersen and Seattle Metropolis Legal professional Ann Davison, it failed 5-4.
Councilmember Andrew Lewis, who modified his thoughts throughout heated public testimony, was the decisive vote towards the measure, placing the town in a political and legislation enforcement limbo, from which it has not emerged.
The Seattle Metropolis Council’s Public Security & Human Providers Committee is ready to debate a revamped model of the drug invoice Sept. 12. The soonest the total Metropolis Council might vote on the laws is Sept. 19 — with the invoice not changing into efficient till October 20.
That may be 5 months after the Legislature handed the Blake Repair on Could 16.
Not like each different jurisdiction that adopted the state laws, Seattle’s model drafted by Mayor Bruce Harrell contains carve-outs and caveats, akin to requiring police to find out whether or not individuals overtly utilizing medication in public current a risk to others or are merely destroying their very own lives.
Within the case of a person who doesn’t pose a risk of hurt to others, the officer is directed to “make an affordable try” to speak to the particular person or coordinate some form of different to arrest. Given ongoing police staffing shortages and the shortcoming of a number of precincts to reply to probably the most urgent emergency calls in a well timed method, it’s unclear how a lot time cops will spend providing therapy providers.
Count on council members to draft and struggle over a slew of amendments.
All this whereas Bellevue and different cities in King County have quietly adopted the suitable fixes and are going about making therapy the centerpiece of their drug enforcement methods, simply as state legislators meant.
The Kent Metropolis Council unanimously handed a drug use ordinance on June 20 to synchronize its municipal code with state legislation. The ordinance said: “The Kent Metropolis Council intends that incarceration be utilized as a sanction solely when a person fails to adjust to their advisable therapy program or different situations imposed by the court docket.”
In Renton, the town council handed an ordinance complying with state legislation on Could 22. The measure reads partly: “Whatever the availability of formal diversion packages, cops, prosecutors, and judges are inspired to train discretion to supply leniency in sentencing and/or diversion … for many who efficiently full out there dependancy therapy or different providers …”
Bellevue, Kent and Renton are the three largest cities in King County after Seattle. Their fast motion on implementing drug laws makes Seattle’s fumbling the exception. Which will imply Seattle is technically “distinctive,” however that phrase has a constructive connotation, and nothing about this belabored course of makes the town look good.
“The Seattle Manner” used to imply infinite discussions earlier than reaching a call. Now it characterizes political paralysis within the face of a transparent public well being emergency. As Bellevue and different cities totally perceive, it’s best a path not adopted.
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