160 Seattle businesses and groups: City Council needs to be better on addressing crime

Uwajimaya and Simply Seattle are two of the 160 businesses, residents, and civic groups calling on the Seattle City Council to do something about what they say is a failing criminal justice system.

They say the response in Seattle is specifically failing when it comes to "prolific offenders."

During budget deliberations today, the Seattle City Council discussed the mayor's proposal which calls for funding four high barrier pilot programs for $2.9 million.

Most of that money, $2.4 million, would go to funding an enhanced shelter in the King County Jail, with 60 additional beds where people can get drug treatment and other services.

But council members questioned the high barrier probation pilot

For business owner Jake Smidt, who says his store has taken a hit of upwards of $10,000, something needs to be done.

"We think there needs to be more of a discussion around protecting biz and protecting our product," he said.

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