Don’t forget to attend THIS Thursday’s EastPAC meeting! Seattle City Council Member Kshama Sawant will be our special guest.  Kshama has been an avid advocate for the issues most impacting working people, youth and the poor in our communities… From wages to rent, cuts to Metro and other social services that impact poor and working-class citizens; as well as democratic public accountability addressing policing practices. 

Will Kshama be our candidate for Council District 3?  The boundaries of the East Precinct are nearly identical to District 3, and we need to be prepared for identifying our priorities as this representation becomes policy.

Also, meet our new East Precinct Captain Mike Edwards!

EastPAC Community Meeting

Thursday, January 23rd, 6:30 to 8:00 PM

Seattle University, Chardin Hall, room 142

1020 East Jefferson

(enter at 11^th and Jefferson, park free in front of building)

Please be on time so you won’t miss anything…

Neighbors and Citizens:

 We are honored to have Cm. Kshama Sawant as our featured guest at our 6:30 PM January 23^rd EastPAC meeting!

 Kshama will speak about her vision for the issues most impacting working people, youth and the poor in our communities… From inadequate wages and skyrocketing rent, to cuts to Metro and other social services that disproportionately impact poor and working-class citizens.  She will also talk about the impact these cuts have on public safety and the importance of democratic public accountability addressing policing practices.  There will be plenty of time on the agenda for your questions and input, so don’t miss this important meeting!

Also, meet our new East Precinct Captain Mike Edwards!  We will begin with introductions and then EastPAC Board member Joanna Cullen will give a brief update on the Metro bus service cuts, followed by Cm. Sawant.

 EastPAC Community Meeting

Thursday, January 23rd, 6:30 to 8:00 PM

Seattle University, Chardin Hall, room 142

1020 East Jefferson (enter at 11^th and Jefferson, park free in front of building)

 Please be on time, as we will have a packed agenda.  I’m looking forward to seeing you all!

 Important reminder:

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.’S 2014 BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Rise Up! Restore the Dream!

Monday, January 20, 2014, Garfield High School

400 23rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

Attend the $15NOW! workshop and rally: http://15now.org/?page_id=152

http://www.mlkseattle.org/index.php

Lots of folks have had experience engaging with the Seattle Police Department. Some experiences are good, some are not. Others fall somewhere in-between.

After several unfortunate incidents with SPD, the US Department of Justice handed down a mandate that SPD and the City should create and sustain a Community Police Commission. Mostly made up of community leaders, the CPC plays a key role in creating and presenting reforms that will then become policy, particularly around use of force and biased policing.

In order to develop reforms, the CPC needs community input. This is what we’ll focus on in Thursday’s meeting:

East Precinct Advisory Council

Thursday, October 24th, 6:30 to 8:00 PM

Chardin Hall, Seattle University, room 142

1020 East Jefferson (11th and East Jefferson)

Seattle 98122

Free parking in front of building

So this is your chance to say something. This is for real, and is not anyone’s agenda. We need a big turnout for this one. Don’t wait until something bad happens, be proactive in the solution. It’s time for citizens to provide answers rather than waiting for others to answer them for us. We’re asking everyone to step up on this one.

See you on Thursday.

The Community Police Commission (CPC) was created to provide a vehicle for community input into the police reform process now underway as part of the settlement agreement with the US Department of Justice (DOJ). The CPC has been working over the last few months to develop policy recommendations in a number of areas, specifically bias-free policing, stops and detentions, in-car video recordings and use of force.

The CPC plays a key role in the reform efforts. The CPC’s charge is to seek community input and represent a broad range of community perspectives in their recommendations to the DOJ.

We will have the opportunity to voice our opinions, experiences and perceptions about the Police Department’s procedures relating to racial profiling, use of force and other key issues.  

 Our upcoming October 24th East Precinct Advisory Council (EastPAC) meeting will feature the CPC’s Acting Director, Betsy Graef, who will be looking for key community input on these issues.

Here is our chance to be heard, for your voice to become a policy recommendation! Please attend and talk about your experiences, perceptions and opinions.

East Precinct Advisory Council

Thursday, October 24^th, 6:30 to 8:00 PM

Seattle University, Chardin Hall, room 142

1020 East Jefferson (enter at 11^th and Jefferson, park free in front of building)

Let’s  show the CPC, as well as the US Department of Justice, that we have a powerful voice!

 First Hill’s Jim Erickson writes,

“In a recent conversation with my son we recalled stupid things that we each did as young adults. There is something about an immature mind inhabiting an adult body. I said that my worst fear was that he would be arrested and be locked up as a lone innocent among hardened criminals. For the first time, now that his son entered college in August, he understands my fears.

In this morning’s Seattle Times there is a report that two men, age 20 and 21, purchased some spray paint in an Art Store and proceeded to paint the City blue. The two men were booked into King County Jail. I feel the pain of the families who are learning about these arrests.

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021859427_spraypaintingxml.html?prmid=4939

“Yesterday, I was one of a hundred people who formed a circle in the Garfield Community Center and began to learn about Restorative Justice. This was an Experimental Workshop & Planning Session for an East Precinct Pilot Project. Our convening questions were: How will a community/police restorative justice program as an alternative approach to crime, conflict and accountability foster resilient, empowered, safe and connected communities? How can we co-create this in the East Precinct of Seattle? How do you want to play?

Tony Marshall explains that “Restorative justice is a process whereby the parties with a stake in a particular offense come together to resolve collectively how to deal with the aftermath of the offense and its implications for the future.”

How can citizens of the East Precinct utilize the Restorative Justice practices?  Is it possible to establish and restore right relationships among a community harmed by crime and the person/s causing the harm?

Andrea Brenneke, East Precinct resident and Director of the newly established City of Seattle Restorative Justice Initiative, will be our guest presenter at this Thursday’s EastPAC (East Precinct Advisory Council) meeting. Plan to attend and hear about this practice.  It may be the solution you need to decrease the chronic nuisance crime on your neighborhood!

 East Precinct Advisory Council Community Meeting

Thursday, September 26^th, 6:30 to 8:00 PM

Seattle University, Chardin Hall, Room 144

1020 East Jefferson

Enter campus at 11^th and East Jefferson – Park free in the lot in front of the building

Thank you to Seattle University for their partnership

and generous donation of our meeting space!

Please come to next Thursday’s (August 22^nd) East Precinct Advisory Council Community meeting!  We are meeting at 6:30 PM at Seattle University’s Chardin Hall, at 1020 East Jefferson.

Several of you have had questions and concerns about if, when and what to say when calling 911.To address your concerns, we have invited Rob Montague, a 911 call center trainer, who will be able to address any issues and questions you may have. 

In other news, we’d like to thank and bid farewell to our operations Lt. Matt Allen, who’ll be leaving us to join the SWAT Unit.  Lt. Allen has been a dedicated presence, always taking the time to understand and care about the needs of our community!  Thank you, Lt Allen and best to you in your new assignment!

Our new Operations person is Lt. Bryan Grenon. Also just assigned to the East Precinct is Lt. Ron Rasmussen, the new 2^nd watch commander.  Welcome to the East Precinct Lt. Grenon and Lt Rasmussen! Both Lt. Grenon and Lt. Rasmussen will be at next Thursday’s meeting, so here’s your chance to welcome them in person! 

EastPAC meetings are the perfect opportunity to meet face to face with police, city attorney precinct liaison and your fellow community members. Mark your calendar for next Thursday!

EastPAC Community Meeting

Thursday, August 22^nd, 6:30 to 8:00 PM

Chardin Hall, Room 142, Seattle University

1020 East Jefferson

(Enter campus at 11^th and East Jefferson, park free in the lot, enter the building and head to the right down the hall)

Thank you, Seattle University, for your partnership!

In the midst of the Mayoral Campaign and summer (sort of) the week of the fourth Thursday happened faster than I anticipated!  For those of you that missed the Citywide Precinct Advisory Council’s (CPAC) Mayoral Candidate Forum on Public Safety last Saturday, you can see it here: http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=5551311&file=1

Please be reminded that this Thursday is our EastPAC Community Meeting.  We are meeting in Piggott Hall in room 200 (https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&authuser=0&tab=wl).  Sorry about the inconsistent meeting locations, we are diligently working with Seattle University to establish a regular meeting room…Meanwhile, we very much appreciate their hospitality and partnership-and your patience!

The Seattle Police Department’s East Precinct, under the leadership of Capt. Ron Wilson, has done an excellent job of responding to crime.

The police can’t do it all, prevention and intervention are key components of reducing criminal activity.  The Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative (SYVPI) are doing good work in supporting youth at risk.  However, suspected recent violence and criminal activities are likely being committed by the over 25 age group, which are not eligible for SYVPI support. .

We are turning to the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) to consider the following:

• Why haven’t things changed? Why is gang activity is still active after several years?
• How effective are we, as a city (and taxpayers) being, despite putting forth millions of dollars, to mitigate criminal activity and suspects’ root causes leading to lives of crime?

We have invited a representative from HSD to answer some of these questions at Thursday’s meeting.  So far, we have no confirmation, but I will notify you if they are able to be there.

Capt. Wilson will also be at Thursday’s meeting to provide updates and answer your questions.

Please plan to be there:

East Precinct Advisory Council

Community Meeting

Thursday, June 27, 6:30 to 8:00 PM

Piggott Hall, Seattle University

Room 200

Parking lot on the east side of Broadway between Columbia and Marion. (https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&authuser=0&tab=wl)

Looking forward to seeing you!

Stephanie Tschida

EastPAC Chair

https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&authuser=0&tab=wl

How does the development of Micro-housing impact you and your neighborhood?

There has been a lot of concern about this increasingly upward trend of Micro-Housing, also known as “APODments”, small, single occupancy units sometimes with shared kitchens. The Capitol Hill Community Council has been addressing this issue for some time, and the City Council has hosted forums to explore citizen concerns.

The micro-housing movement has been expanding beyond Capitol Hill into the Central District, First Hill and other East Precinct neighborhoods. With a rising demand for affordable housing, these units provide a way for young singles, professionals and retired folks to actually be able to live in Seattle, close to work, restaurants and entertainment venues, and also bring rich diversity to neighborhoods. These small units are not only affordable, but provide updated amenities such as free internet.

It seems like a simple solution. Or is it? What are the concerns of some citizens who reside in the neighborhoods near these developments?  Zoning loopholes, shortage of parking, transitional, short term residents?  What are the benefits to folks living in the units?

We hope to answer some of these and other questions at our Thursday, May 23^rd East Precinct Advisory Board (EastPAC) Community Meeting. This is our effort to address a quality of life issues and proactively develop mutually beneficial solutions. Continue reading →