In order to meet an anticipated increase in emergency calls this summer, the Seattle Police Department is limiting precinct front desk staffing and re-tasking officers in order to ensure SPD is able to rapidly respond to 911 emergencies across the city.
In order to maintain target response times during the typically busy summer season, and bolster anti-violence initiatives, the department will redeploy 25 officers currently assigned to precinct desks, the traffic unit, community police teams, school emphasis, and several federal task forces, beginning July 3rd.
“Our primary mission is responding to emergency calls,” says SPD Deputy Chief Clark Kimerer. “We understand it’s going to cause some inconveniences, but we feel this is necessary. It is our goal to return to normal operations after the summer.”
Direct phone lines to 911 can be found at the entrances to each precinct. The SPD Headquarters Lobby at 610 5th Avenue will also remain open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.
Many of the resources previously available at the precinct can still be accessed by calling 911 or through the department’s online reporting system and website.