Seattle business leaders call on mayor to tackle – Business News
Seattle’s business elite is taking goal at Mayor Katie Wilson, demanding she get powerful on public security as town grapples with lethal violence, open-air drug markets and considerations over police response instances.
In a blistering letter Thursday, the CEOs and leaders of some of the area’s greatest firms — Microsoft, Starbucks, Costco, Zillow, Nordstrom, Alaska Airlines, T-Mobile and the Seattle Mariners — referred to as on the City Council to ship a “credible public-safety plan” with measurable outcomes.
“A credible public-safety plan and a budget that protects the investments behind it are inseparable. Seattle voters have made clear that they expect both. We are ready to be partners,” the letter signed by 38 leaders reads.
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Seattle’s business elite is taking goal at Mayor Katie Wilson, demanding she get powerful on public security. AP
The unprecedented broadside comes as Seattle reels from a string of violent incidents, together with a current Belltown capturing that left three younger people lifeless and three others significantly injured.
Wilson herself referred to as the violence “tragic and unacceptable.”
The business leaders’ letter was signed by C-suite executives and civic leaders, together with Microsoft President Brad Smith, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol, Costco CEO Ron Vachris, Zillow CEO Jeremy Wacksman, Nordstrom CEO Erik Nordstrom, Mariners CEO John Stanton and T-Mobile Vice Chairman Mike Sievert.
In addition to Wilson, the letter was addressed to City Council President Joy Hollingsworth, Public Safety Committee Chair Robert Kettle and members of the Seattle City Council.
In the letter, the coalition expressed that its members are prepared to meet with the mayor, council management and metropolis workers to focus on transferring these public security priorities from planning into motion.
The California Post has reached out to the Mayor’s Office for remark on the proposal.
A homeless neighborhood nicknamed The Treeline sits on the sting of the freeway close to downtown Seattle. The Washington Post through Getty Images
Just 34% of registered voters surveyed in an Aug. 17 ballot commissioned by the business coalition stated they have been assured town had an efficient plan for public security, in accordance to the letter.
“Voters are asking for action, on a timeline, with results they can measure,” the executives wrote.”This will not be a slim or partisan agenda, it’s a shared baseline that Seattle residents and the business neighborhood are asking their elected leaders to ship each now and as a sustained precedence.”
They stated each public-safety proposal examined within the ballot gained at the very least 75% help, with 90% backing common foot and bicycle patrols in neighborhoods affected by persistent crime.
The coalition additionally demanded Seattle recommit to a seven-minute precedence 911 response commonplace, saying knowledge from Nordstrom’s downtown flagship confirmed solely 29% of its 911 calls resulted in an officer responding to the store.
More than 80% of Seattle voters surveyed backed insurance policies directing town to offer drug customers therapy and shelter. AP
By comparability, the letter stated, Nordstrom areas in Southcenter and Bellevue acquired police responses to 100% of their 911 calls.
The executives additionally need town to activate CCTV cameras in Pioneer Square, the Stadium District and different high-event areas, shut down open-air drug markets and produce a public security motion plan within 100 days, full with month-to-month progress stories.
More than 80% of voters surveyed backed insurance policies directing metropolis diversion specialists to offer drug customers therapy and shelter first — whereas arresting and prosecuting repeat offenders who refuse help, in accordance to the letter.
Another proposal, supported by 79%, would prohibit tenting within 250 toes of colleges, playgrounds and parks. AP
Another proposal, supported by 79%, would prohibit tenting within 250 toes of colleges, playgrounds and parks and require encampments in these areas to be cleared within 72 hours.
The letter comes at a notably tough second for Wilson, a self-described democratic socialist who narrowly defeated incumbent Bruce Harrell in 2025. Her marketing campaign drew comparisons to Zohran Mamdani’s progressive New York mayoral marketing campaign, notably over affordability, housing and transportation.
Wilson has additionally confronted scrutiny over her handling of the Seattle Police Department.
The letter comes at a notably tough second for Mayor Wilson, a self-described democratic socialist. AP Photo/Manuel Valdes
In July, Police Chief Shon Barnes resigned after the mayor pressed him to step down following criticism of town’s handling of communications surrounding the deadly Bite of Seattle capturing. Wilson subsequently appointed Andre Sayles as interim chief.
The mayor has since introduced a national seek for a everlasting police chief, saying Seattle wants a chief centered on “operational excellence” and accountability.
But the business leaders say guarantees aren’t enough.
“A credible public-safety plan and a budget that protects the investments behind it are inseparable,” they wrote. “Seattle voters have made clear that they expect both.”
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