In the ongoing debate between local governments regarding how to address misdemeanor crimes, King County Executive Dow Constantine is disputing claims that booking restrictions at the downtown jail are contributing to public safety issues in Seattle. Instead, he is pointing the blame at City Attorney Ann Davison’s office.
Davison, along with Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson and interim police Chief Sue Rahr, have argued that the county’s booking restrictions, implemented since 2020, are hindering their efforts to address public disorder and repeat shoplifting. Constantine, in a message to Metropolitan King County Council members, stated that the jail makes exceptions to the restrictions when necessary, but Davison’s office has failed to effectively make those arguments in court.
The message from Constantine’s office also extended an offer to Seattle to cancel its contract with the county for jail space. This move would alleviate staffing challenges for the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention and allow the county to focus on handling more serious felony cases, which fall under its jurisdiction by state law.
King County has been limiting bookings at its downtown jail since the start of the pandemic due to public health concerns and staffing shortages. While violent crimes and DUIs are still eligible for booking, offenses like property destruction, trespassing, and shoplifting are not. Seattle, which pays the county around $20 million annually for approximately 200 beds in the downtown jail, has only been able to access a fraction of those beds since 2020.
In response to the restrictions, Mayor Bruce Harrell has proposed using a Des Moines jail operated by South King County cities, known as the South Correctional Entity (SCORE), to incarcerate individuals. This proposal marks a shift for Seattle, which has traditionally used county-run jails exclusively. This comes as Davison and members of the Seattle City Council have been urging Harrell to secure additional jail beds.
During a recent City Council meeting, Davison expressed frustration that her office couldn’t book more than half of the misdemeanors listed in the city’s code. Meanwhile, Nelson has called for the city to demand a refund from the county until all 200 beds are available for use.
Constantine’s office clarified that the booking restrictions are not a matter of policy but a response to inadequate staffing levels that prevent the county from operating its jails at full capacity. While hiring has increased, it is still below the necessary staffing levels.
Seattle has the option to request exemptions from the restrictions, which it has done on multiple occasions. The county has granted exceptions based on special patrols, events, and enforcement efforts, including a recent exemption for all of downtown Seattle. Despite claims from the city council president that money should be refunded, Constantine’s office stated that the county is already subsidizing misdemeanor bookings and the city is not covering the full cost, even with the restrictions in place.
The county executive’s frustration was evident in an internal email that was confirmed by his press secretary. Harrell’s spokesperson mentioned ongoing discussions with the county regarding booking restrictions, while Davison’s spokesperson declined to comment on the matter. The complexities of the situation highlight the need for collaborative solutions between the involved parties to address public safety issues effectively.
