The Brief
- Councilmember Maritza Rivera sharply criticized Mayor Katie Wilson while defending a $418,000 “focused deterrence” proposal to curb gun violence, which combines supportive services for offenders with warnings of swift consequences.
- Mayor Wilson dismissed the proposal on the radio as “grandstanding,” prompting Councilmember Bob Kettle to accuse her office of poor communication and a lack of a clear public safety plan.
- Councilmembers will vote Tuesday on whether to advance Rivera’s proposal to hire an outside consultant, though implementation ultimately depends on the mayor’s office.
SEATTLE – The fight over public safety at Seattle City Hall is getting personal, with councilmembers publicly criticizing Mayor Katie Wilson as the city debates how to tackle gun violence.
Seattle City Councilmember Maritza Rivera sharply criticized the mayor Monday while defending her proposal to bring a gun violence strategy known as “focused deterrence” to Seattle.
“This mayor is about ideology. She’s not interested in doing the hard work,” said Rivera. “She does not believe in police, it appears. She’s more interested in disparaging my concrete effort at addressing gun violence, than finding actual solutions.”
Rivera pushes ‘focused deterrence’ strategy
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