The City Auditor’s Office recently released a report highlighting the alarming trends in gun violence in Seattle, calling for enhanced coordination and a systematic approach to investigations.
In late March, the report documented significant increases in gun violence from 2013 to 2024, with non-fatal shootings rising by 150% and fatal shootings by 220%.
The report also emphasized a troubling rise in youth gun violence, with the King County Prosecutor’s Office confirming that the number of young gunshot victims has doubled in that same period.
Despite a regional decrease in gun violence from 2023 to 2024, Seattle’s rates remain higher than pre-pandemic levels.
The final auditor report put forth four main recommendations aimed at improving the City’s gun violence prevention efforts.
Firstly, it urged the development of systematic reporting on gun violence patterns to both relevant bodies and the public.
Next, it called for a review of the Community Assisted Response & Engagement (CARE) department’s original mission of integrating violence prevention programs.
Additionally, it stressed the need for an enhanced capacity for problem analysis regarding gun violence, advocating for an all-hands-on-deck approach.
Lastly, the report recommended implementing a framework for regular systematic coordination among various City departments, government entities, and community organizations.
Another crucial point raised in the audit focused on the Seattle Police Department’s (SPD) inconsistent investigation practices, suggesting that they lacked standardized protocols and were poorly tracked.
During the presentation of the audit findings to the City Council, the Mayor’s Office adopted a defensive stance, asserting that many of the audit’s proposed actions were already in progress.
Deputy Mayor Tiffany Washington underscored the accomplishments achieved thus far like the establishment of the CARE department while also acknowledging the need for continued efforts.
However, the recommendations for increased coordination in addressing gun violence appear crucial.
Callie Craighead, a spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office, expressed the need for improved data-sharing mechanisms between the City and the community.
Despite existing plans to enhance SPD’s online reporting, the report brought attention to the fact that other cities utilize data from prosecutors and community organizations, not just police reports.
Claudia Gross Shader from the City Auditor’s Office highlighted the importance of multi-agency coordination, suggesting that a neutral body might better facilitate this process than a police department, which could face logistical challenges.
The audit proposed that the CARE department could serve in this coordination role, given its original mandate to integrate violence intervention programs.
Shader also pointed out that Public Health could be another viable option for this role, especially given the regional context of gun violence.
During a Council meeting, CARE Chief Amy Barden noted the need to expedite efforts surrounding public safety and emphasized that her department had not received the necessary endorsement to take on the larger coordination role.
Barden is optimistic about breaking down silos within public safety efforts, stating that a coordinated entity could better track individuals on the margins of crime or crises.
She believes community involvement is vital, advocating for investment during the city’s mid-year budget process to boost CARE’s capacity.
Essentially, Barden conveyed a message of hope that Seattle could emerge as a leading model in this crucial arena.
Shader’s report also reflected a concerning correlation between gun violence incidents and specific locations, notably parks and community centers.
While SPD was able to identify several parks with high rates of shootings, a complete list was not available from the Seattle Parks Department.
Further, the audit revealed that gun violence is also linked to homeless encampments.
Statistics indicated that a significant percentage of gun violence incidents in King County occurred within Seattle’s encampments, suggesting that tailored strategies would be required to address this issue effectively.
The report highlighted an urgent need to improve Seattle’s capacity for problem analysis concerning gun violence.
Shader reiterated the necessity for evidence-based frameworks in crime prevention, citing the importance of thoughtful and structured approaches.
She referred to various successful models implemented in other cities, including homicide review commissions and problem-oriented policing, as potential templates for Seattle.
In light of historical context, the City had previously undertaken a comprehensive crime prevention review in 2012, creating an essential catalog of existing programs and their effectiveness.
However, no similar updated report has been conducted since.
The City Council attempted to address this gap by proposing a gap analysis of current investments in gun violence prevention, but it faced challenges regarding its implementation.
While the Mayor’s Office has indicated plans to incorporate the auditor’s findings into their strategies, it remains uncertain whether they will utilize the resources suggested in the report.
Shader emphasized the critical need for improved coordination in the current financial environment, stating that Seattle cannot afford to operate in silos.
In response, the Mayor’s Office highlighted their existing framework while maintaining that the accumulation of various existing efforts should be prioritized over producing further reports.
Despite assertions from the Mayor’s Office regarding their work on public safety initiatives, the audit signals a pressing need for a more robust and systematic approach to the growing challenges posed by gun violence in Seattle.
This multifaceted problem demands immediate attention from the City’s various departments and community organizations to ensure that effective strategies are implemented and optimized for the safety of Seattle’s residents.
image source from：https://www.theurbanist.org/2025/04/18/auditor-criticizes-seattles-approach-to-gun-violence/
