SEATTLE — Chief Kathleen O’Toole said Tuesday that Seattle police officers are already taking action to combat the gun violence fueled by gang feuds.
So far in 2015 there have been 252 calls about shots fired compared to 193 during the same time last year. There have also been nine more cases of shots either injuring or killing someone in Seattle.
“The fact is yesterday’s shooter is tomorrow’s victim and vice versa,” O’Toole said. “Most of this violence is between people known to police, with significant criminal histories, and they are gang involved.”
O'Toole also made clear this is a regional problem, not just a Seattle one. A high profile example is the gang-related Malijah Grant killing in Kent.
Seattle police are banding together other with municipalities like Kent to share violent crime information. There is a daily morning meeting that produces concrete plans to arrest people or track wanted vehicles. Every Tuesday, there is a larger, regional meeting where law enforcement agencies compare notes on gang activity.
O’Toole also said the city’s renewed focus on violent crime will not take away from the positive momentum on property crime.
Home break-ins and car prowls are down around Seattle this year.
KIRO
