Maybe someone can answer this for me… why is it that the East Precinct is the only one (at least according to the SPD website) NOT to have a Community Police Team? I’m new to this forum, so this may be a subject with some history here, but couldn’t find anything so far.

I’m curious because its seems like if there’s anyplace in Seattle with a genuine need for a positive relationship with police officers, the CD is surely that place. Does anyone know if there have been CPT officers in the past, and if so, what happened to them?

Last month I visited the vigil for Allen Joplin that was held in Flo Ware Park. During the brief time i was there four police cars drove by or parked across the street. The young people I spoke with talked about feeling harassed, wanting to grieve in peace. When I asked them if they knew any officers by name, or had a relationship with anyone at the police department, they said they didn’t.

I know there are different sides to this complicated situation, and generations of history to it as well. It just seemed like having a Community Team really makes sense for CD residents, business people, schools AND the police. There may be some very valid reason for the East Precinct NOT having a CPT, but I couldn’t find it. Here’s the description of Community Police Teams from the SPD website:

“WHAT DO CPT OFFICERS DO?

While patrol officers assigned to a certain beat and sector are usually very familiar with the area they patrol, CPT Officers go one step further. CPT officers do not respond to 911 calls for service and are instead assigned a specific area to focus on long-term, often chronic problems. They patrol many times a day, checking and re-checking known “hot spots”.

It is their job to know the residents in troubled apartments, to recognize by sight, the “regulars” who congregate on the corner, and to understand the ongoing problems and concerns of neighbors and businesses. Residents and business owners get to know and trust the officers, making it easier to work together to resolve and prevent problems. CPT is about understanding ongoing issues that go back weeks and months and taking steps to prevent problems before they arise. The officers are a unique and invaluable resource in the communities they serve.”

If anyone has any more information about this please let me/ us know. My concern is as a long time resident of the CD, parent of a Garfield alum and current student at Seattle Girls School, but most importantly as a friend/ concerned adult of young people involved with Deuce8. These kids need and deserve more than they’re getting, my opinion anyway. Could a CPT be one element of that?

Lori Holloway