CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to street racing; adding the crime of racing; adding the traffic infraction of vehicle participation in unlawful racing; adding the civil infraction of attendance at an unlawful race event; adding a new Section 11.58.440 to the Seattle Municipal Code; adding a new Section 12A.12.050 to, and amending Sections 11.20.230, 11.31.020, 11.31.121, 11.56.120, and 12A.09.020 of, the Seattle Municipal Code; declaring an emergency; and establishing an immediate effective date; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
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WHEREAS, racing of motor vehicles in an illegal and unsanctioned manner on public streets endangers the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists; and
WHEREAS, aggressive driving and illegal street racing generate excessive noise which negatively impacts the health and quality of life of Seattle residents and visitors; and
WHEREAS, carbon emissions, tire particles, and other toxic pollutants produced in excess by illegal racing are harmful to human health and the natural environment of Seattle; and
WHEREAS, expanding civilian enforcement authority for non-criminal infractions, including those related to illegal racing, to city departments beyond the Seattle Police Department could provide additional deterrence for harmful behavior, improve community outcomes, and increase the effectiveness of these prohibitions; and
WHEREAS, effective enforcement of laws against dangerous and illegal motor vehicle racing is necessary to address the permissive environment that allows crime to occur in Seattle; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City finds and declares:
A. On July 23, 2023, three people were wounded by gunfire and one person was fatally shot during an unlawful racing event in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.
B. During the weekend of June 22 and 23, 2024, unlawful racing events took ...
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