Res 32217 — Version 1 https://webapi.legistar.com/v1/seattle/Matters/17456/Texts/18840 Screen Reader Users: Make sure settings include reading strikethrough and underline font attributes. The City of Seattle Resolution ..title A resolution declaring the City of Seattle's intent to implement an evidence-based, comprehensive gun violence reduction strategy, that includes partnering with national experts who have helped other cities significantly reduce gun violence, such as the National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC) at John Jay College. ..body Recitals: In 2025, The City of Seattle's Auditor published an audit titled: "Four Recommendations to Better Understand and Address Current Gun Violence Patterns in Seattle," which found a significant increase in gun violence over the past decade, including a sustained post-pandemic increase in shootings across the City. The audit also found that between 2020 and 2024, shots fired increased by 71 percent; non-fatal shootings increased by 58 percent; and fatal shootings increased by 23 percent in Seattle. During the 2020-2024 timeframe, the City also saw an increase in sex trafficking related incidents, greenbelt shootings, and nightlife related gunfire. The audit determined that in managing its gun violence response, Seattle does not have an effective communications framework for regular and systematic coordination among City departments, other government entities, and community organizations. Such a framework would help: improve data collection; collaboration in identifying individuals most likely to engage in gun violence; and foster an "all hands on deck" approach in finding effective solutions for reducing gun violence, such as focused deterrence. In addition to the audit, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) issued a Shots Fired Report in 2025, which revealed a shift toward new categories of gunfire; and a rise in automatic-fire conversions and large-capacity magazines which increase the likelihood of mass-casualty events, suggesting that new strategies may be needed. The City of Seattle currently funds critical prevention and intervention services, which have been an integral part of Seattle's efforts in supporting residents who are most impacted by gun violence. The City also needs to include a focused deterrence approach to reduce levels of gun violence across Seattle. The National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC), a nationally recognized organization out of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, uses an evidence-based focused deterrence strategy that has a proven track record of helping cities reduce gun violence by up to 40 to 60 percent. The core elements of focused deterrence include: delivering a clear moral message against violence; a sincere offer of help and support for those who want it; and a swift consequence for continued violence. The NNSC has repeatedly demonstrated that gun violence can be dramatically reduced when cities build strong partnerships among their law enforcement, social service providers, and committed community leaders. The NNSC has found clear evidence that a very small number of individuals associated with group-based violence drive the vast number of shootings and homicides in cities; and in Seattle SPD estimates that about 0.1 percent of the population are involved in 52 percent of shootings. The NNSC has helped cities like Boston, Baltimore, and Philadelphia reduce gun violence by up to 40-60 percent using strategic, data-driven Group Violence Interventions. The SPD Executive Director of Crime and Community Harm Reduction has laid the foundation for implementing this focused deterrence approach in Seattle which, to be successful, may benefit from the strategic guidance of the NNSC. Therefore, Be it resolved by the City Council of The City of Seattle: Section 1. Council commits intends to a formal, two-year partnership with the National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC), at a cost of $418,000, to implement a comprehensive Gun Violence Intervention (GVI) strategy to address gun violence. Section 2. Council commits to work with the NNSC to identify the law enforcement agencies, City departments, other government entities, and community organizations that will participate in this strategy. Section 3. The NNSC should: provide an analysis of the violence dynamics in Seattle; facilitate in-depth, closed-door working sessions on GVI for key stakeholders; provide regular strategic advising; and provide access to management and development tools, peer support networks, and collaborative learning opportunities. Section 4. Council commits to evaluate the results of this effort at the end of the two-year partnership and determine what is needed for Seattle to successfully continue implementing this approach on its own. Adopted by the City Council and signed in open session in authentication of its adoption on . President of the City Council Attested on . Scheereen Dedman, City Clerk Seal LEG Gun Violence Intervention RES Maritza Rivera D1c 2 Template last revised April 27, 2026 DEPT Short Name of Legislation RES V1 Author's Name 2