Seattle Employers Urge City Hall for New Public Safety Plan
Major Seattle-area employers including Microsoft, Starbucks, Costco and Alaska Air have sent a letter to the city government urging a new public safety plan. The coalition seeks cameras in Pioneer Square and stadium areas, more foot and bicycle patrols, a seven-minute response standard for priority 911 calls, and a crackdown on open-air drug markets. It cites an August 2026 poll of Seattle voters. The letter was delivered on Thursday.
A group of large Seattle-area companies has jointly sent a letter to the city government calling for a new public safety plan. The participants include Microsoft, Starbucks, Costco and Alaska Air, as well as major employers such as Nordstrom and Alaska Air Group. Executives taking part in the effort include Microsoft President Brad Smith, Starbucks Chief Executive Brian Niccol and Costco Chief Executive Ron Vachris. The letter was delivered to the city government on Thursday.
Citing the results of an August 2026 poll of Seattle voters, the coalition said in the letter that residents expect the city government to "act urgently to provide the funding needed to improve public safety and to set out a clear plan for measuring progress." The coalition's specific demands include installing cameras in Pioneer Square, the stadium district and other areas that host large events; increasing foot and bicycle patrols; meeting a seven-minute response standard for priority 911 calls; and shutting down open-air drug markets.
According to 2024 political donation data, 92% of donations from Starbucks employees and its political action committee went to Democrats, compared with 84% for Microsoft and 80% for Costco. Christine Gregoire, a former Washington state governor and now chief executive of Challenge Seattle, said: "We need action. We are facing a crisis and we need action on public safety."
In January 2026, after newly elected Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson took office, the Seattle Police Department was instructed to stop making arrests for open-air drug use.