Dueling protests outside Seattle City Hall have led to eight arrests and further exposed deep divisions in the city over free speech, religious freedom, and LGBTQ activism. On Tuesday, eight demonstrators were arrested for assault during a trans-rights protest, which was sparked by a Saturday rally hosted by On Fire Ministries that focused on protecting children from transgender ideologies. That earlier event resulted in 23 arrests after counterprotesters clashed with attendees in Capitol Hill’s Cal Anderson Park.
Seattle’s growing public safety crisis deepened Saturday as counterprotesters—labeled “anarchists” by the mayor—shut down a religious rally at Cal Anderson Park, overshadowing new data showing modest progress in rebuilding the city’s depleted police force.
The Seattle City Council has unanimously approved legislation to overhaul how revenue from automated traffic cameras is used, shifting funds toward traffic safety and critical sidewalk repairs. Council Bill 120971 changes the city’s financial policy to allocate 70% of traffic camera revenue to the general fund and the remaining 30% to a newly created Automated Traffic Camera Fund.
The Seattle Police Department is looking to roll out a new GPS tracking system aimed at ending high-speed pursuits. The proposal centers around StarChase technology, a GPS-based launcher that attaches a tracking device to suspect vehicles, allowing officers to follow them remotely and safely.
Seattle's controversial payroll tax has failed to meet revenue expectations as major businesses continue to leave the city. Last week, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced that Seattle collected $47 million less in payroll taxes than projected in 2024. The city had anticipated over $400 million in revenue but brought in only $360 million, compounding an already staggering $260 million budget deficit.
