Seattle has reversed its policy and started jailing people for low-level crimes again, marking the end of a four-year period where shoplifters, vandals, and other petty criminals were often let free. This significant policy change aims to address rising public safety concerns and prevent serial misdemeanor offenders from escalating to more serious crimes.
As of November 1, 2024, King County Jail resumed booking offenders arrested for crimes like theft, trespassing, and public drug use. The move is backed by an agreement between Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and King County Executive Dow Constantine, who announced the reopening of 135 additional jail beds to accommodate misdemeanor arrests.
The decision was made after increasing concerns over the growing number of repeat offenders and their eventual involvement in more severe criminal activities. It’s a decisive shift in how Seattle handles crime, marking a return to stricter enforcement after years of leniency.
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