Dozens, including students and street-team workers, urge Seattle Council to fund Community Passageways amid safety concerns

Dozens of public commenters told the Seattle City Council on June 23 that Community Passageways and associated Southeast street teams provide daily support that helps keep young people safe and connected to schools, and they urged the Council to find money to continue or expand the programs.

Multiple young participants described concrete help they said the program provided. “Community Passageways became one of the biggest support systems in my life,” said Angel, who identified themself as a 19-year-old program participant and described mentorship, financial support and help with schooling. Leo, a Community Safety Ambassador with the Southeast Street Team, testified that “every day between 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., more than 200 students pass through the Henderson corridor,” and he urged continued funding for trusted teams that conduct violence de‑escalation and outreach.

Program staff and volunteers detailed services including safe‑passage escorts from school, case management, resource navigation, and trauma‑informed activities. Student speakers described assistance ranging from prom support and help obtaining IDs to crisis intervention after shootings; residents and volunteers recounted that program staff are present at school dismissal and community events. “We are there every single day the kids get out of school. They know the kids and the community,” David Long said, urging the Council to find funds to sustain the work.

Not all commenters were unqualified in their support. At least one remote speaker raised concerns about accountability and urged records requests and stronger oversight when taxpayer funds are used; another online commenter asked about a separate measure (Resolution 32206) and seed money for non‑toxic backup power. Those accountability concerns were not tied to a formal denial or a staff response during the meeting; Council President Joy Hollingsworth acknowledged the concerns and said Councilmember Alex Lin is working with the mayor’s office on solutions.

Speakers representing schools, parents, and local volunteers framed their requests as both public safety and youth-development investments: teachers and case managers described responding to students after shootings and connecting families with essentials, while several residents linked the program to reductions in dangerous incidents around schools and in neighborhoods such as Rainier Beach.

The Council did not vote on funding at this meeting; public comment closed after roughly 33 registrants and the Council moved on to its agenda. Council members said they were aware of the concerns and exploring options with the mayor’s office.