Last week, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell convened local, regional, and federal law enforcement leaders to announce united efforts to ensure public safety and share results of a coordinated and undercover operation that has helped drive immediate change at 12th Avenue S. and S. Jackson Street.
As part of Operation New Day, Seattle Police, at the direction of the mayor, organized and collaborated with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and Seattle City Attorney’s Office to make 16 felony arrests primarily related to crime at the Little Saigon area of South Jackson Street in Seattle since January 21. Dealers of fentanyl and other drugs, including those carrying illegal firearms, were arrested through undercover police work and targeted investigations carried out over the first several weeks of the year.
According to Harrell, dozens of felonies and more than 100 charges have been filed as part of overall and ongoing Seattle Police operations around 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street and cases linked to that area.
“We are seeing early progress at 12th and Jackson in no small part due to the combined and collaborative efforts of Operation New Day to address crime, drug trafficking, and gun violence,” said Harrell. “Restoring a sense of safety downtown and citywide requires urgent action to stabilize areas where crime is prevalent. Sustainable improvement requires resetting norms and implementing a comprehensive, holistic approach that revitalizes Seattle neighborhoods. From the first days of my administration, we have made it clear that it is a new day in Seattle — the status quo cannot stand, the time for action is now, and we accomplish more when we work together.”
“Seattle has been experiencing an unacceptable level of crime. This is especially true for the area around 12th and Jackson. I’m heartened by the results of Operation New Day, removing a bevy of illegal firearms and fentanyl from the streets,” said Councilmember Sara Nelson. “This was only possible because of strong collaboration within City Hall and close coordination amongst law enforcement agencies. We need more of this excellent, undercover police work. That won’t be possible until we remedy the exodus of officers from SPD.”
Harrell also shared immediate steps being taken to prevent harm and further tragedy on 3rd Avenue, including dedicated police officers on site supplemented by additional patrols, deployment of an SPD mobile precinct, regional partnerships to enhance tactical efforts, and more. Public safety leaders shared their commitment to continue to work together to prevent gun violence, address crime, and support Seattle communities in need.
“There are too many guns in our communities, and we’ve seen a significant increase in shootings throughout Seattle and a rise in violent crime. This week I convened a meeting of law enforcement leaders to share strategies on how federal agents and local police can work together to reduce community violence,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. “In this undercover operation, we have charged three people federally, who were illegally possessing firearms while dealing fentanyl. The Department of Justice will do everything that we can to help break the cycle of crime—not only with federal prosecution—but also with support for programs that keep our youth out of the criminal justice system.”
Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison believes the efforts are a step in the right direction.
“Too many small business owners, commuters, and visitors to downtown feel unsafe in the heart of our city, because people who participate in what has become an open-air drug market are not receiving significant or effective intervention of their criminal activity,” said City Attorney Ann Davison. “As I have done with referrals from 12th and Jackson, I will continue to prioritize Seattle Police Department referrals from high-crime areas such as Third Avenue. These arrests and prosecutions will help to disrupt this cycle of addiction, theft, drug sales, and human suffering. We stand ready to partner with the Mayor’s Office, the Seattle Police Department, and community partners to help make downtown Seattle a safe place for residents, businesses, and everyone who visits our city.”
