The Seattle Police Department is strongly committed to supporting marginalized communities and work every day to make sure they are safe in our city, especially in areas like Denny Blaine Park. We recognize the historic use of this park as an LGBTQIA+ gathering place and nude beach, and we are thoughtful about policing with the context of interactions historically between these communities and the police.
The SPD is committed to supporting all of our communities, listening to their legitimate concerns, and working towards the best, equitable resolutions for every call for service. It’s a balance that we obsessively strive for and will always reevaluate our actions in hopes to learn from them.
Especially in light of historical context, simply being nude at this park is not a crime. That said, we do not have tolerance for illegal indecent or lewd behavior at the park. Every person in the park should feel safe. This is something I have heard from both park users and neighbors. As Chief, my direction has been for patrols that are responsive to calls from the community regarding these issues. We are reevaluating how to use these patrols to best meet the needs of the community and enforce the law in order to provide public safety for everyone.