Today Mayor Mike McGinn declared the city's wave of violent crime, which has resulted in nine homicide investigations and 14 other gun-related aggravated assaults since the start of the year, a "public safety emergency." And while McGinn assured the concerned citizens present that the Seattle Police Department is aggressively tackling the problem by deploying more officers on the streets, he also lobbed a plea for people to do their part in securing their neighborhoods:

“Public safety requires a strong partnership with the community, and we are committed to working with community leaders on public safety," McGinn said while addressing the 100-strong crowd in south Seattle. “Everyone who lives here, who works here, who shops here, and who comes here to enjoy what Seattle has to offer deserves to feel safe and secure."

As McGinn mentioned in last week's state of the city address, police precincts are deploying extra officers on the street to address street disorder, assaults, and shootings, with a focus on the specific problems that plague each neighborhood. For instance, in the South Precinct, violence prevention emphasis patrols will be supplemented by SPD Gang Unit detectives, Traffic and SWAT officers. In addition, Community Police Team officers and crime prevention coordinators are reaching out to Rainier Beach businesses.

McGinn appeared at the Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club alongside black clergy members, Seattle Police brass, fire department officials, youth violence prevention advocates, and city council member Bruce Harrell—the new chair of the council's public safety committee. Eager to make his mark on the committee, Harrell announced that he would start holding his committee meetings around the city, starting March 7, to gather public input on how to address street crime. He also urged citizens to take charge of their neighborhoods' safety by organizing block watches and—as much as it might go against the grain for some south Seattle residents—cooperating with police.

“Many witnesses withhold valuable information from the police because of their fear of retaliation, mistrust of the government and because they comply with a code of silence,” said Harrell. “We are asking community leaders and organizations to work with the police department, the mayor’s office and the public safety committee in establishing new norms of cooperation and trust... help deliver a message to our youth that violence and the unlawful use of guns destroy what so many work to build—healthy communities.”