Rainier Valley puts City Council in transit, crime hot seat

The City Council's open Q&A session Tuesday night brought a wide range of south Seattle citizens, with reactions ranging from praise to emotional statements on the topics of transportation, crime, social services, and civic engagement.

On Crime, the audience wanted answers on youth violence, gun control, and drug house problems, gun bans in parks, and more police foot patrol with a force that reflects the racial culture of the area they work in. Councilmember and former policeman Tim Burgess said that the racial makeup of the force is close to Seattle's current diversity, but "we have a long way to go." However, in agreement with an audience member, Councilmember Richard McIver did add that 80% of Seattle policemen do not live in the city. Councilmember Bruce Harrell pushed the success of the Youth Violence prevention initiative, saying "crime is not a 2009 problem," "we need to go to the source." Harrell also mentioned a Chronic Nuisance Property ordinance that would allow the city to take action against reported drug houses.

In the wake of the mayoral candidates' new technology policies and open government initiatives, the Council announced its plan to have an open, searchable data format by 2010. According to Harrell, the city receives 10 million phone calls a year, so with open data, and a new customer service management program, he hoped to make it easier to access information. As for universal access to this new information, Harrell said he is against a city-wide public internet service due to its 400-500 million dollar price tag. Harrell was confident that market competition will bring broadband internet to under-served areas.

Cuts to Metro's 42, 7, and other Rainier Valley routes were also a main topic of last night's session. Councilmember Sally Clark reassured the crowd that all routes and areas are feeling cuts, but said Sound Transit needs to go back and look at the 42. The Council offered few solutions to the Metro problems, but Clark and others said the recession and budget downfall were to blame. "When we have the least money is when we have the most need," said Councilmember Jean Godden. Some audience members lashed out at streetcar spending, citing the underused South Lake Union Streetcar as an example. Councilmember Tom Rasmussen agreed, stating his opposition for more streetcars and arguing for more busses. Whether the funding comes from the city, Sound Transit or Metro, he said, the taxpayers eventually get the bill.