The number of homicides in the city of Seattle so far this year has already surpassed last year's total.
Data from the city shows there have been 47 homicides so far this year, which is greater than all but one of the past five years. Only 2020 had more, with 53 homicides reported.
“Well, that’s a little scary,” said Mary Jones, who makes an annual visit to Seattle from her home in Texas. So far, this trip, she said they’ve done a lot of walking throughout downtown Seattle. “I feel very safe, we even walked out in the dark last night, quite a ways and we felt fine,” said Jones.
“And I always try to make sure that we’re together and we don’t get separated,” said her daughter, Mya Jones.
“I mean, I feel like I can walk out by myself at night,” said Jones’ son, Mykael. Mary shook her head when her son said that and said she would not allow that, even though he's 18.
George McMahon, with grown children of his own, said he doesn't even feel safe at 9 a.m. in the morning. “You got people come up to me crying asking me for money putting on a show, and I just don’t feel safe, it’s not the Seattle I’ve known in the past,” said McMahon.
KOMO News took these safety concerns and others to Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell Tuesday, who said the city is working on initiatives to improve safety.
“When I talk about more police officers people have something in mind that I’m trying to create a New York City presence. We want a sufficient amount of police officers,” he said. The mayor said the idea is to have more eyes on the ground and help build trust, not only to make visitors but also residents feel safer.
“So, whether it’s how they feel or what they personally feel that is it that perception or that actual fact that we’re bringing real strategies to work,” said Mayor Harrell.
Some of these new initiatives the mayor's talking about are in his next budget proposal, which must be approved by city council.
“Sometimes there’s the perception that they’re not safe. Sometimes they’re not safe. So, whether it’s how they feel or what they personally feel, that is that perception, or that actual fact, that we’re bringing real strategies to work,” said Harrell.