I’ve been doing this job long enough to know that when I hear a story that sounds like, “no way that actually happened,” that’s usually the case. Often, one of three things happens. A very green reporter got something mixed up, and it slipped through bad editorial safeguards. It’s some mis- or disinformation from someone with an agenda. Or it’s some dude online not understanding the nuance, and blasting bad information to social media.
So when my Spidey-senses started tingling last week, I figured it was just that — tomfoolery of the highest order. Maybe served with a side of shenanigans.
For context: The Seattle Police Department (SPD) is at least 300 officers short of full staffing. That’s an entire precinct’s worth of cops who don’t exist…