File #: 2019-0492    Version:
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 12/4/2019 In control: Metropolitan King County Council
On agenda: Final action: 12/11/2019
Enactment date: 12/19/2019 Enactment #: 19044
Title: AN ORDINANCE related to King County Courthouse security; making an appropriation of $400,000 from the general fund to the sheriff and an appropriation of $200,000 from the general fund to the department of community and human services; amending the 2019-2020 Budget Ordinance, Ordinance 18835, Sections 21, 44 and 62, as amended; and declaring an emergency.
Sponsors: Rod Dembowski, Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Pete von Reichbauer, Kathy Lambert
Indexes: Appropriation, Courthouse, Security
Attachments: 1. Ordinance 19044, 2. 2019-0492 Amendment T1 12-11-2019, 3. 2019-0492 Amendment S1 12-11-2019
Drafter
Clerk 12/12/2019
Title
AN ORDINANCE related to King County Courthouse security; making an appropriation of $400,000 from the general fund to the sheriff and an appropriation of $200,000 from the general fund to the department of community and human services; amending the 2019-2020 Budget Ordinance, Ordinance 18835, Sections 21, 44 and 62, as amended; and declaring an emergency.
Body
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Findings:
A. The sidewalks and area surrounding the King County Courthouse have been the scene of a number of violent incidents which has been recognized as a significant problem for the county.
B. King County finds it unacceptable that county employees and members of the public are at risk of being assaulted while trying to enter their place of work or use public facilities.
C. Beginning on July 11, 2017, and continuing periodically through October 22, 2019, the government accountability and oversight committee of the King County council has hosted a panel of superior court judges, city of Seattle and King County law enforcement personnel and county executive staff to discuss security concerns around the perimeter of the King County Courthouse.
D. Panelists at these committee meetings raised issues and concerns related to safety, including: assaults on jurors and courthouse employees and a bullet shot into superior court from south of the courthouse; illegal behavior, including drug dealing and lewd conduct; and sanitation issues, including garbage, feces and urine.
E. In response to these issues, a joint city of Seattle-King County work group called the courthouse vicinity improvement committee was created and tasked with looking at the courthouse perimeter security issue from four perspectives: public safety; transportation; human services; and sanitation.
F. Additionally, a courthouse security work group was established comprised of twelve superior court judges, one superior court commissioner, ...

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