Seattle leaders outline streetlight, policing and parks measures after spike in West Seattle shootings

Councilmember Rob Sacca, the Seattle City Council member representing District 1, opened a May community town hall by saying the meeting was called because of “a troubling rise in gun violence in 3 specific neighborhoods” — North Delridge, Snake Hill and High Point — and he and city leaders outlined a package of operational responses.

At the meeting, city agencies described three near-term areas of work: Seattle City Light-led streetlight upgrades in targeted blocks, Seattle Police Department (SPD) hot-spot analysis and increased directed patrols, and a Parks Department summer safety plan that will reduce hours at some problem sites and add enforcement coordination. The mayor’s chief public safety officer framed the effort as an all-departments priority.

SPD Chief Sean Barnes said the department has already changed tactics in the Southwest Precinct, increasing and focusing patrols. “We call them directed patrols,” Barnes said, describing a goal of concentrated officers in specified blocks and an effort to measure patrol effects. He also described expanded gun-violence meetings and voluntary overtime for “gun violence reduction units.” Barnes urged neighbors to call 911 if…