This Week on PubliCola: June 8, 2025
Debating protests, Cathy Moore steps down, big spending by new SPD chief, and more.
By Erica C. Barnett
Monday, June 2
Cathy Moore Will Step Down After a Year and a Half On Council
City Councilmember Cathy Moore announced she would step down after a year and a half on the council; because she waited until just after the 2025 election filing deadline, her appointed replacement will serve until at least November 2026. Moore has complained frequently about the negative public response to many of the council’s proposals, including her own bills to roll back the city’s ethics code and eliminate some eviction protections.
Seattle Nice: Should Left-Wing Counterprotesters Alter Their Approach?
On the podcast, we discussed the tactics of counterprotesters who let a far-right anti-LGBTQ group know that their hateful belief are out of step with Seattle values. David thought protesters should moderate their approach to appeal to swing-state voters; I countered that this was a losing approach and that no one should have to be polite when faced with eliminationist rhetoric.
Wednesday, June 4
New Records Shed Light On Investigation that Led to Former Police Chief Diaz’ Ouster
Newly released records from the investigation into former police chief Adrian Diaz and his former chief of staff, Jamie Tompkins, shed new light on efforts by Tompkins and Diaz to discredit SPD staffers who believed Diaz had hired, and created a new position, for Tompkins because they were having an affair.
Seattle Nice: The Seattle City Council Is Un-Cathy Moored
On this week’s emergency podcast, Sandeep and I (David’s out of town) discussed Moore’s decision to resign and what it means for the council going forward. Sandeep continues to find Kshama Sawant and her protesters annoying; I argue that they’re a far less potent force than when Sawant was on the council, and that what Moore really appears bothered by is the fact that her ideas are unpopular.
Thursday, June 5
In a rare appearance of my old The C Is For Crank column, I argued that Moore is a throwback to a time when NIMBY (not in my backyard) homeowner views were dominant at City Hall. That time is past, and Moore’s views are broadly unpopular—which is why she’s getting pushback against not just her proposal to roll back eviction protections but her opposition to allowing apartments in more parts of her district.
Barnes’ New Hires Top $1 Million, SPD Will Pay $30,000 for Training on “Stratified Policing”
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes has added at least five new executive-level staff to the department, at a price tag of well over $1 million for salaries alone. SPD will also spend $30,000 training officers on “stratified policing,” which Barnes implemented as chief of Madison, WI. The big spending comes at a time when even the police have been told to implement a civilian hiring freeze to help close a massive budget shortfall.
New Anti-Graffiti Bill Would Fine Violators $1,000 Per Tag
City Councilmember Bob Kettle is sponsoring a new anti-graffiti bill that would establish a civil penalty of $1,000 for every “graffiti violation,” defined as “a single piece of graffiti, including but not limited to a graffiti tagger name or design, in a single location.” Graffiti is already a gross misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and up to a year in jail.
Friday, June 6
I was this week’s guest on the Hacks and Wonks podcast, where host Crystal Fincher and I talked about the news that Moore is stepping down, the latest revelations from the Diaz-Tompkins investigation, King County Assessor John Arthur Wilson’s refusal to step down amid stalking and harassment allegations; and Sawant’s entrance into the race against US Rep. Adam Smith (D-9).