A Seattle City Council member has formally introduced a resolution admitting that the city’s previous efforts to defund the police failed to achieve their public safety goals and instead contributed to increased crime and slower emergency response times.
The resolution, brought forward during a recent council session, outlines the unintended consequences of the 2020 budget cuts to the Seattle Police Department, which led to a dramatic decrease in staffing levels and longer wait times for 911 responses. It marks the first time a city official has openly admitted the policy did not work as intended.
According to the resolution, the reduction in police resources left neighborhoods vulnerable to rising incidents of violent crime, property theft, and public disorder. The councilmember acknowledged that while the initial aim was to redirect funding toward community-based alternatives, the reality exposed gaps in coverage and public safety enforcement.
The proposal does not call for reversing all reforms but suggests a balanced approach moving forward—one that includes restoring critical law enforcement funding while continuing to invest in mental health services, addiction treatment, and social outreach programs.
Local residents and business owners have long expressed frustration over the impact of reduced police presence, particularly in downtown Seattle and high-crime zones. The resolution reflects those concerns, emphasizing that rebuilding community trust in public safety institutions must begin with accountability and measurable results.
Though some activists criticized the move as a step backward, others applauded the councilmember’s transparency and willingness to course-correct. The resolution signals a broader shift in the city’s public safety narrative, focusing less on slogans and more on tangible outcomes.
The city council is expected to vote on the resolution in the coming weeks, potentially shaping future budget discussions and influencing public safety strategies in other urban areas that enacted similar defunding efforts.