To tamp down late-night violence, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn on Tuesday announced a plan to redeploy police officers and extend some shifts on Friday and Saturday nights, concentrating more cops on downtown streets
In the past two weeks, Belltown has seen two shootings — one fatal — and a fistfight that left a man knocked unconscious. The common thread: Each occurred in early-morning hours, after crowds had spilled from the neighborhood's nightclubs and bars.
To tamp down after-hours violence, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn on Tuesday announced a plan to redeploy police officers and extend some shifts on Friday and Saturday nights, concentrating more cops on downtown streets.
McGinn joined Interim Police Chief John Diaz in pitching the initiative to a large group of reporters, who were on hand in case the mayor said something about his choice for the department's new chief.
Diaz is a finalist for the job along with Police Chief Ron Davis of East Palo Alto, Calif.
Facing a throng of reporters and TV cameras, McGinn pre-empted the speculation, saying, "When we have something to announce on that, we'll let you know". Later, though, McGinn — responding to a question about Diaz's performance — praised the interim chief.
