Residents urge action on Aurora Avenue; public commenters debate police presence, surveillance and services

A 60-minute hybrid public comment period drew five in-person and eight remote speakers who described deteriorating conditions along Aurora Avenue and proposed divergent remedies.

Becca, a resident of 100th Street (between Aurora and Linden), said traffic was rerouted onto her block after nearby closures, that she and neighbors "found shell casings at their bus stop," and asked the city for "an equitable solution" that accounts for all streets west of Aurora. Another in-person commenter, introduced on the speakers list as Tammy, told the committee she believed hotels along Aurora were being used for child sex trafficking and urged the council to focus on trafficking and supports for people who are coerced into sex work.

Other in-person speakers described violence and neighborhood fear. Rick said Aurora felt like a "war zone" after videos of apparent shootouts; Peter, representing neighbors on North Aurora, urged authorizing street closures to deter pimps, requested funding for a satellite police precinct and asked for a prosecutor dedicated to Aurora Avenue. Remote callers expressed a range of views: a homeowner said permanent barricades have blocked sanitation and opposed 24/7 closures while urging decriminalization and exit options; Melissa Howard opposed surveillance cameras and a realtime crime center, arguing studies show cameras do not create safety and urging investment in community-driven programs.

Those supporting law-enforcement tools cited police estimates and community harm: Kate Baldwin said police estimate "62% of violent crime in the neighborhood is directly related to prostitution and sex trafficking" and recommended cameras, a mobile precinct and enforcement capacity ahead of major events such as FIFA. Others stressed that responses must include housing, behavioral health and low-barrier services; Erin (a neighbor) noted the average age for entry into trafficking is 14 and said temporary street closures could reduce bullets while longer-term services are built.

Chair Robert Kettle closed the comment period after 60 minutes and encouraged written comments and emails to Seattle.gov.

No formal action was taken during this period; comments were entered into the record for committee consideration.