Seattle considers emergency ordinance allowing problem streets to be closed over crime and gun violence

The Seattle City Council’s public safety committee Tuesday will consider a proposed emergency ordinance that would allow officials to indefinitely shut down a Seattle street to traffic to address public safety concerns and gun violence.

The proposal comes as Mayor Katie Wilson has included street closures in her plan to address crime and gun violence along Aurora Ave.

Under the proposal championed by North Seattle Councilmember Debora Juarez, the city’s municipal code would be expanded to include streets in law that already allows officials to shut down alleys in problem areas. It is being pursued as an emergency ordinance meaning the council must achieve a 3/4 vote in support of the proposal including an agreed on start date.

Once the emergency ordinance is established, the new ordinance would authorize the Director of Transportation to close public streets to maintain or enhance public safety. The process requires the Seattle Department of Transportation to consult with the Chief of Police before closing a street for public safety purposes.

The ordinance does not address or outline a specific process for reopening the streets once they are closed. It only focuses on expanding the authority to initiate the closures.

The proposal is the latest curve in ideas around street closures for city leaders. From a public safety standpoint, they could represent a new tool for officials to package in efforts like those underway to quell issues at hot spots like 12th and Jackson and Pike and Broadway. Nearby alleys along Broadway have been targeted for possible closure in recent years.

Meanwhile, urbanist advocates continue to encourage more streets — like Barbara Bailey Way — to be closed to vehicular traffic in the city to create spaces friendly to pedestrians and bicyclists.

Tuesday’s public safety committee session will also include further discussion about the city’s CARE Department and updating the muni code to better define the mission of the new crisis responders.

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