Public Safety
Dismal student scores make clear ‘normal’ doesn’t cut it
Agreed. https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/dismal-student-scores-make-clear-normal-doesnt-cut-it/ M. Ryder / Op-Art By The Seattle Times editorial board Grim as they were, the recent release of student assessments known as “the nation’s report card” should have surprised no one. Education researchers say the effects of learning disruption during the pandemic are worse than what kids in New Orleans faced after Hurricane … Continue reading “Dismal student scores make clear ‘normal’ doesn’t cut it”
Pet Licensing (PRR 16116)
Categories Public Safety, TransparencyRoughly speaking, how much annual revenue does the City receive from pet licenses? I asked that question from the dais months before I filed Public Records Request #16116 with the City. It was information I thought would be useful in deciding whether or not to move Animal Control Services to Burien C.A.R.E.S. When I originally … Continue reading “Pet Licensing (PRR 16116)”
PSEM Committee Meeting June 2, 2022
Categories Engagement, Public SafetyI struggled to not publish this. I ran for office in 2019 to improve transparency and reduce the rubber stamping. But after almost two and a half years, I gotta say, things may actually be getting worse. But this has become truly alarming. Perhaps my colleagues are simply unaware of how business is supposed to be conducted. … Continue reading “PSEM Committee Meeting June 2, 2022”
Burien Cares ACO proposal
04/06/2011 – Animal Control Ad Hoc Committee
Following the shooting of a dog by DMPD that had gotten out of its yard, the City Council created an Ad Hoc Committee to do a lessons learned and establish policies going forward. The story of ‘Rosie the Newfoundland’ got national press coverage and led to a legal settlement with the owners. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/des-moines-to-pay-51000-over-fatal-shooting-of-dog/
Animal Control: Officer Magnuson 2.0
Categories Neighborhoods, Public SafetyThere is an upcoming discussion about outsourcing Animal Control Officer (ACO) services to Burien CARES. For people new to Des Moines, this may seem like not such a big deal. Frankly, the service has not been great the past couple of years for a couple of reasons I won’t go into here. Suffice it to … Continue reading “Animal Control: Officer Magnuson 2.0”
A letter to Selena Taylor
Categories Engagement, Neighborhoods, Public SafetySelena Taylor is the mother of a young man killed at La Familia Sports Pub on Pacific Highway September 26, 2021. Hi, I am writing you today to (hopefully) respond a bit more clearly to your public comment last night. Just as you and Betty were speaking it dawned on me that this weekend is, … Continue reading “A letter to Selena Taylor”
Many years ago…
Categories Public Safety, Transparency3 Comments on Many years ago…Many years ago my wife survived an abominable domestic violence. It took her two years to escape that relationship and during the entire time no one suspected. What many people do not understand is that there are many, many reasons why a person can become so completely trapped that they will never reveal their true … Continue reading “Many years ago…”
#327 on the list of things I did not expect to have to deal with
Categories Public Safety, Transparency1 Comment on #327 on the list of things I did not expect to have to deal withHello Des Moines, At 1PM today the City Council received a ‘Significant Incident’ email from Chief Of Police Ken Thomas. These messages are typically two sentences describing an event that may attract public notice. We do not get detail because that is not our role. Today’s message informed us only that Councilmember Martinelli had been … Continue reading “#327 on the list of things I did not expect to have to deal with”