
Seattle City Councilmember Cathy Moore has introduced amendments aimed at limiting the Seattle Police Department’s (SPD) use of blast balls and enhancing the council’s oversight of crowd management practices, as stated in a city announcement.
The proposed legislation is currently being reviewed by the Public Safety Committee and mandates that the SPD implement a crowd management policy that adheres to specific guidelines. If enacted, this ordinance could bring the city closer to concluding its federal consent decree. Among the key changes, Moore’s amendments would require the Mayor to declare a civil emergency to authorize the use of blast balls, necessitating daily approvals for their continued deployment.
Blast balls are rubber devices designed to produce a loud noise and a bright flash, but they also contain tear gas. Councilmember Moore has expressed concerns about their unpredictability, citing instances where they have caused severe injuries, including cardiac arrest, during previous protests.
In 2024, Seattle reached a $10 million settlement related to injuries sustained from the use of less-lethal weapons, including blast balls, during the George Floyd protests. The proposed amendments would introduce strict guidelines for the deployment of blast balls, stipulating that they must be thrown underhand, aimed away from people, and launched from a minimum distance of 10 yards.
Law enforcement officers from other jurisdictions assisting in Seattle would be required to adhere to the city’s crowd management policies or be reassigned to non-crowd-related duties. These proposals align with recommendations put forth by the Community Police Commission. Currently, Seattle’s Municipal Code lacks specific regulations governing the use of less-lethal weapons for crowd control.
In June 2020, the City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting these devices, but it was overturned by the federal court overseeing the city’s consent decree. Since then, crowd control policies have been governed by an interim policy approved by the court, which conflicts with a 2021 ordinance enacted by the Council. Councilmember Moore’s amendments will be discussed during the Public Safety Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 14, at 9:30 a.m.