You may recall that I blogged the Memorial Day shootings in Chicago. During the same time span, Seattle had an outbreak of gun violence, including your basic drive-by collateral damage disaster. I focused on Chicago’s ballistic woes because the Windy City is to the second amendment what Kelly McGregoris to celibacy. And, to my astonishment, Emerald City media mavens and civic leaders blamed the city’s shootings on gangs rather than, say, “easy access to guns.” According to seattletimes.nwsource.com, Seattle’s po-po didn’t get the memo. “Seattle police officials Tuesday told the City Council that the outbreak of violence through Memorial Day weekend and since the beginning of the year has more to do with guns than with gangs . . .
Deputy Police Chief Nick Metz and Assistant Chief for Operations Paul McDonagh [above] said that while gang activity has played a role in the 20 percent jump in homicides this year, the common denominator is guns.
“A person who has a gun is more likely to use a gun,” said Metz after the weekly council briefing.
The police officials outlined plans to curb violence, including an increase in emphasis patrols in areas with high crime and a high number of violent incidents.
So, more police then. Yup that ought to do it. Or not.
Seems the Seattle police are experiencing a little “community outreach issue”—to the point where the Department of Justice is “currently negotiating an agreement with the department over its finding of excessive use of force.” I wonder how that plays out down at the sharp end . . .
“If you punch a kid one day and come to talk with him about what he knows another day, he might not be motivated to help,” [NAACP leader James ] Bible said.
Councilmember Tim Burgess also said that settling the Justice Department’s findings against the police department and implementing recommended reforms was the best way to restore community trust.
“That doesn’t seem to be happening,” he said, alluding to stalled settlement talks between Mayor Mike McGinn’s office and federal officials.