The Tacoma Police Department is joining 275 other law enforcement agencies in launching a Safe Place initiative.
The program, which was started by the Seattle Police Department, partners police departments with local businesses, schools, and community organizations to help victims of hate or bias crimes.
The program’s objective is to address all hate crimes, including those that have to do with race, ethnicity, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, mental or physical, or sensory disabilities, homelessness, marital status, political ideology, age, and parental status.
“You can go to any one of these identified businesses, and they will provide you a safe haven and access to the phone, so you’ll be safe, and comfortable, and you’ll be able to come to the police,” said Tacoma Police Chief Avery Moore
Blake Mara owns Heritage Coffee and Plant House in Tacoma, and she wants to offer more than just coffee to her customers.
“I think it’s really important for people to have a safe haven and this place already offers that,” said Mara. She’s part of several businesses participating in the program.
Mara said she wanted to be part of it after her encounter with crime and violence in the area.
“It was pretty frightening for me being here by myself, and so having gone through that experience, it just made sense to offer that safe space for others,” said Mara.
KOMO News asked Chief Moore what was the reason the department started this initiative now.
“I don’t know why not before, but why now is because it’s time," said Moore. "It’s not that we’ve had an uptick. Again, it’s something that we should have done when it was first offered.”
Mara is hopeful these efforts will bring the community together in the fight against hate crimes.
“It’s important that we keep each other safe and that we look out for each other. I want to normalize people being able to walk into businesses and ask for help,” said Moore.
Businesses and community centers that would like to be involved can place a Safe Place window decal on display at their business to show that they are committed to fighting hate in the community.
The Safe Place initiative comes at no cost to businesses, schools, or organizations. If you would like to get involved, visit the city's website.