Capitol Hill Neighbors:

I would like to personally invite you to the next East Precinct Crime Prevention Coalition (EPCPC) Meeting, Thursday June 23, 6pm at the Douglass-Truth library at 2300 East Yesler Way. Our topic for the evening will focus on budget cuts in the City Attorney’s Office.  

You may know that City Attorney Pete Holmes is considering the elimination of the City Attorney Precinct Liaison Program in his mid-year budget reduction proposal.  The Precinct Liaisons are a very important community resource, doing much on the front lines to mitigate and eliminate negative activity in our community; particularly regarding liquor licensing and chronic nuisance issues.  

As you know, the majority of the liquor establishments and nightclubs on Capitol Hill are good neighbors. Some are not – these are the clubs where drug dealing and violence are prevalent.  Losing the City Attorney Liaisons could mean minimal consequences for these clubs. 

Craig Sims, Chief of the Criminal Division of the Seattle City Attorney’s office, will be the guest speaker.  Craig oversees the activities of the Precinct Liaisons as well as the prosecutors who file and try misdemeanor charges – crimes that directly impact us, such as trespass, prostitution, drug loitering, DUIs, domestic violence, some property destruction, and minors possessing/using/exhibiting the effects of alcohol. 

This is a great opportunity to learn more about the programs Craig oversees and discuss the City Attorney Precinct Liaison program (including the reasoning behind cutting this resource). 

Hopefully, we can learn more about whether the Precinct Liaison program will be lost or preserved. (and what more we can do about it).

Keep in mind that this is a proven, successful program that saves money in the end while serving your best interest. We must challenge these unwise cuts. 

I hope to see you on the 23rd!

Stephanie Tschida, Chair