Public commenters press council for permanent office to support victims of police violence

A string of public commenters at the April 24 Seattle Public Safety Committee hearing urged the creation of a permanent office or program to support people harmed by police violence.

Kastill Hightower, who said his brother was killed by Seattle police during a mental'health crisis, asked the committee: "If you are not willing to commit to these demands, are you at the very least willing to pass a resolution to commit to creating a permanent, independent office dedicated to providing resources to victims of police violence and their families?" Several other speakers echoed that request, pressing for direct support that includes transparency, victim voices and compensation.

Speakers identified existing, unfulfilled budget commitments: Lucky Jordan cited budget actions in 2023 and 2024 that pledged $100,000 for community survivors of police violence to convene and make recommendations; speakers said those funds have not resulted in a convened survivors work group. M. Smith of Labor Militant asked the council to reallocate increases in the SPD budget over the past five years (cited as $123 million) toward compensation and services such as medical bills, burial costs and legal support. M. Smith cited average figures: "funeral costs average $8,500" and "the average medical cost for someone affected by violence is $45,000 for hospitalization or $5,000 for an emergency department visit." (Speakers presented these figures without committee verification.)

Gabriel (Gabrielle) Diaz, who identified themself as a survivor of police violence, described injuries and ongoing financial and medical uncertainty and said "we need an Office of Victims of Police Violence today." Other commenters asked for survivors to lead recommendation processes and for transparency in how funds have been used.

Chair Kettle acknowledged the testimony and flagged May 12 committee meetings that will include accountability partners and a review related to Cal Anderson protests; no formal council action was taken at this session.