Chief Barnes, left, at a ceremony marking the promotion of Tietjen, right (Image: SPD)
Saying “community trust is built through transparency, not silence,” GSBA, the city’s LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce and a leading voice for many of Capitol Hill’s small businesses, has called on Chief Shon Barnes and the Seattle Police Department to address the recent promotion of a commander with a history of department violations to lead the East Precinct.
In a letter with the Lavender Rights Project, the organization has condemned the decision and is calling on SPD to provide “an update and timeline” for his replacement.
Barnes announced the promotion of Michael Tietjen to East Precinct Commander in September but said he would reverse the decision last month after a wave of backlash.
“GSBA, Washington State’s LGBTQ+ and Allied Chamber of Commerce and the Neighborhood Chamber for Capitol Hill, and Lavender Rights Project, are writing to express joint disappointment in the Seattle Police Department’s decision to appoint Captain Mike Tietjen to lead the East Precinct in Capitol Hill—a neighborhood that has long stood as the heart of Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community,” the letter begins. “This decision was made without meaningful community engagement or transparency, and it sends a troubling message to the residents and businesses of Capitol Hill.” Continue reading →
Out of Seattle Halloweens since 2020, only half have been rainy. But 16.67% of them came when a global pandemic was still raging. Anyhow, our point is Emerald City trick or treaters are a hardy lot. And your next costume should either be “Atmospheric River” — or incorporate an umbrella.
