![In 2021, Seattle, Washington defunded its police budget by nearly 17%. In the year following those cuts, homicides in the city surged 24%.](https://san.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/FeaturedImage_1675869806205-GettyImages-121709867.jpg?w=1920)
KARAH RUCKER: IN THE YEAR 2021…SEATTLE WASHINGTON DEFUNDED ITS POLICE-BUDGET BY NEARLY 17 PERCENT. IN THE YEAR FOLLOWING THOSE CUTS…HOMICIDES IN THE CITY SURGED 24 PERCENT.
IT’S THE LATEST EXAMPLE OF THE DEFUND THE POLICE MOVEMENT HAVING A NEGATIVE IMPACT INSIDE A DEMOCRAT-LED CITY. HOMICIDES SPIKE, RAPES AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS ALSO INCREASE.
ALL WHILE CRIME IS ON THE RISE IN THE EMERALD CITY — THE POLICE FORCE ITSELF…SHRINKS BEHIND LITTLE SUPPORT. THE YEAR FOLLOWING THE SEATTLE POLICE BUDGET CUT — THE DEPARTMENT LOST 130 OFFICERS.
THAT SAME YEAR SEATTLE HAD A RECORD NUMBER OF SHOOTINGS OR SHOTS FIRED.
AND IN 2023 — THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO SHRINK. 30 POSITIONS SEATTLE P-D HAS STRUGGLED TO FILL — ARE NOW ELIMINATED IN THIS YEAR’S CITY BUDGET.
THE CURRENT TREND IS LESS POLICE EQUALS MORE CRIME. IN A CITY STRUGGLING TO RETAIN ITS IMAGE AS A SAFE TOURIST DESTINATION.