SPD shifts detectives, specialty units into downtown patrols post-shooting

The Seattle Police Department is moving about a dozen officers a day from other precincts and investigations to patrol downtown in response to the deadly shooting there Jan. 22nd.

Detectives who would otherwise be working on cases in areas like robbery, homicide, and burglary are now doing short shifts on a rotating basis.

Each of the five precincts are also lending their Anti-Crime Teams and Community Police Teams to patrols -- in this case, once a week. They’re teams that focus on long-term problem solving and problem areas.

The patrols are centered around Third Avenue and Pine Street and began after the shooting that killed one person and hurt seven others.

KIRO 7 told you in February of 2019 how detectives were being re-trained for patrol in case of what Seattle Police called a future emergency staffing situation.

But the Seattle Police Officers Guild is concerned about how long the move can last, because these added officers “have jobs elsewhere in the city,” SPOG president Kevin Stuckey said.

Seattle residents have reacted positively to the added police presence.

“Just yesterday I got off at Macy’s just on the other corner around the block, and I saw about 20 officers,” Reginald Parker, who commutes through the Third and Pine area, said.

Long-time Seattle resident Janet Calkins said the added officers have made her feel safe downtown.

“I was really thrilled when I got off the bus and I saw all these guys standing here,” she said.

But she is concerned about detectives being on patrol.

“Are you taking those detectives away from their work that they need to do?” she asked. “No, that's not good.”

“I’m okay with it,” Parker said. “But if that's all you're doing when you should be somewhere else doing something else, do it.”

On Monday, Stuckey told KIRO 7, “These emphasis patrols need to be coupled with the city attorney's office making sure that repeat offenders are getting convicted and off the streets.”

Janet and Annamarie Calkins would like to see a crackdown in the courts, too.

“I think [the patrols are] good but I don't think it's the long-term solution,” Annamarie Calkins said. “Feels like a Band-Aid.”

SPD said it couldn't speak on camera Monday due to the holiday.

KIRO 7 also reached out to the city attorney’s office but hasn’t yet heard back.

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