Committee advances ordinance to enshrine CARE’s Community Crisis Responder team in city code

The Seattle Public Safety Committee voted to forward CB 121232, an ordinance amending the Seattle Municipal Code to describe the duties of the Community Crisis Responder team (CCR) within the Community Assisted Response and Engagement (C.A.R.E.) department.

Tamaso Johnson of Council Central Staff summarized the bill for the committee, saying “the only change from the version that was heard in draft ... is a technical correction to some language” and that the ordinance chiefly codifies CCR team functions that have expanded since the department was created in 2023. Johnson told the committee the CCR team was doubled in size to 48 responders in the last budget.

Seattle Police Department leadership joined the discussion. Chief Barnes said C.A.R.E. operates “at the intersection of public health and public safety” and that clarifying the CCR team’s role can help coordinate investments and track whether interventions are working. Committee members framed the ordinance as a step to increase accountability and alignment across 911 response, public health, housing and human services.

The committee moved and seconded the measure and recorded a roll call vote in favor: Juarez Aye; Lin Yes; Rivera Aye; Saka Aye; Kettle Aye. The motion carried and the bill will be transmitted to the June 30 City Council meeting.

The ordinance’s sponsor and staff said it does not create a new program budget; instead it updates the municipal code to reflect the CCR team’s existing responsibilities and administrative functions. Supporters emphasized implementation questions that remain operational—such as training, staffing capacity and coordination with King County crisis providers—but said the code change will clarify city responsibilities and enable future oversight.

Next steps: CB 121232 will appear on the full council agenda for final consideration on June 30.