SPD has earned its poor reputation, dont get me wrong. They are laxidasical, not connected to the community, and honestly just rude probably 3/4 of the time. I was a manager for WM here in Seattle, so I frequently was in contact with them. I was truly shocked by how apathetic they were, on a number of occasions they just straight up told me that they wouldn’t be responding, and when they responded they were often very rude to me (which is dumb because half the time it would be something like a power line getting hit, and it was never like we were arguing with them)
My most recent encounter was a few weeks ago, and I had to call them because of a scary domestic disturbance my gf and I heard from the apartment below us.
I was honestly surprised that they responded within 5 minutes, called me back and I came to let them in the building, asked me pertinent questions, then took action very professionally (saw this part as the elevator was closing)
Basically, people who live in Belltown and similar neighborhoods in Seattle know all too well that we need police in our neighborhoods, honestly probably more rather than fewer. Anyone who says otherwise probably lives in a much safer neighborhood.
I just wish that we could have a better relationship with the police here in Seattle. We should be able to trust and respect them, and even see them as part of our community/people to look up to.
If SPD felt the same way and took serious steps toward improving community policing, then I would be be very happy, and I would even make efforts on my side to try and rebuild trust and respect.
(Example: Hire more officers rather than paying $300,000 in overtime to an officer for directing traffic. Boston has the same budget, and twice the officers, possibly having specializations for officers so they can respond more effectively to different situations, make a serious initiave to improve public trust, etc.)
submitted by /u/Internal-Barracuda20
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