CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to jail services; authorizing the Mayor to execute an Interlocal Agreement with South Correctional Entity for the provision of jail services; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
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WHEREAS, the Seattle City Charter entrusts the Mayor with maintaining peace and order in The City of Seattle (City), which includes the enforcement of City laws; and
WHEREAS, the City has been a leader in developing and supporting alternatives to the criminal legal system, including diversion programs such as LEAD and diversified response teams such as CARE; and
WHEREAS, the City has taken meaningful steps to reduce bias within the criminal legal system, including investing in upstream solutions, supporting community-led programs, and passing ordinances such as the anti-bias policing law, the "ban the box" law, and legislation mandating that Seattle examine every law and policy through a racial and social justice lens; and
WHEREAS, the City has developed a new model for providing treatment and diversion services to those involved with the criminal legal system, including through the recently passed public use and possession ordinance and place-based approaches to reduce crime; and
WHEREAS, the City has invested in treatment models and programs to help those suffering from addiction and mental illness and to minimize those individuals' involvement in the criminal legal system; and
WHEREAS, while jail is not always the first or most appropriate option for someone engaged in unlawful activities, it is necessary for ensuring a functioning criminal legal system; and
WHEREAS, ensuring everyone in Seattle is safe requires a system that provides an array of options to reduce recidivism and prevent crime; and
WHEREAS, the status quo of people suffering on our streets in a frequent cycle of arrest, release, and re-offense fails to address root causes, serving neither those ...
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