In a press conference Thursday after inaugurating a new bus lane on Denny Way, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson addressed her slipping polling numbers.
The poll, commissioned by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, shows an estimated 37% of Seattle voters approve of her, down 20% since April.
Wilson spoke Thursday afternoon after she ceremoniously sprayed paint on an eastbound lane of Denny Way, announcing that 13 blocks of the lane will be repainted this weekend to indicate it is a bus-only lane.
The Seattle Department of Transportation says buses carry 7,000 people on that stretch of roadway every day.
With the addition of the new lane, the 20,000 other vehicles that take the road each day will now have to squeeze into the remaining lane.
Wilson highlighted the project she promoted. “When we provide great public transit and have dedicated [bus] lanes and many more people are able to choose that option, that actually makes our transportation system work better for everyone because we’re able to just move more people in the space we have.”
That’s when KIRO 7 asked her about her sagging poll numbers.
“Anyone can do a poll and interpret what they want,” she replied.
But when pressed, Wilson said her poll numbers may be slipping over public safety concerns.
The city celebrated a homicide free June, only to see three people fatally shot at the Bite of Seattle in July. Shortly afterward, Mayor Wilson asked for and received SPD Chief Shon Barnes’ resignation.
Several members of the city council criticized the move, coming in the middle of a major homicide investigation.
The poll found that only 34% of those surveyed believe Wilson has a plan to address public safety, even though another poll shows it is a high priority for city residents.
Among those surveyed:
- 90% support more visible police patrols in high-crime areas.
- 90% also want police to meet the city’s 7-minute response standard for 9-1-1 calls.
- 75% support expanding the CCTV public safety camera program
Wilson has said she’s waiting for an audit on the CCTV program before making a decision.