Murray plans to put Seattle public safety levy on ballot

SEATTLE -- Mayor Ed Murray says Seattle needs more money to keep the streets safe and to implement costly reforms mandated by the Justice Department.

And he’s ready to go to voters to seek yet another tax increase to pay for it all.

The mayor argues that without extra money, Seattle will continue to fall behind other cities when it comes to fighting crime and ensuring officer accountability.

“The cost to do the sort of technology we need, to do real timing policing … that type of capacity is going to cost,” Murray said.  “It’s going to cost a lot.”



The news of a future public safety tax levy comes just a day after the city missed a key federal deadline set by the Justice Department for police reform.  Murray blamed the failure partly on lack of funds.

A new public safety levy, which could come as early as 2015, would also help with Fire Department infrastructure, according to Murray.

Earlier this month, Seattle voters approved nearly $50 million a year for parks.  And two more money measures will appear on the November ballot -- for pre-kindergarten education and for Metro bus service.