Seattle PD low on officers as gun violence spikes
SEATTLE — Following a deadly weekend of shootings in Seattle and an overall increase in gun violence, police are altering officer schedules to try and cover the gaps as they struggle to meet demand.
“Seattle saw one of the worst late night, early mornings of violence in recent memory,” said Seattle City Mayor Jenny Durkan.
These somber words opened a Monday afternoon news conference with Durkan and Seattle Police Department (SPD).
“Mothers lost their children. Families lost their fathers. People lost their friends. Our communities were shaken in a series of avoidable gun violence incidents,” Durkan continued.
Over the weekend, Seattle saw a series of unrelated shootings across the city that claimed the lives of five and injured nine others.