Controversial cop promoted, then demoted, by new police chief, Harrell says he has a plan for addressing food deserts and potential federal troop invasion, and more.
By Erica C. Barnett
Monday, October 6
Seattle Nice: Harrell Talks Tough on Food Deserts and Homelessness
On this week’s podcast, we discussed Mayor Bruce Harrell’s proposal to ban restrictive covenants that limit the size of grocery stores and pharmacies. Harrell pitched theas one solution to the problem of “food deserts”—areas with few grocery stores (or pharmacies) where residents have to travel long distances to get basic items—but how impactful would it really be?
Tuesday, October 7
SPD Chief Puts Cop Who Called 2020 Protesters “Cockroaches” In Charge of East Precinct
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes quietly removed the East Precinct’s gay acting commander, Doug Raguso, and placed a newly promoted captain, Mike Tietjen, in charge. Tietjen was at the center of two high-profile incidents during protests against police violence in 2020, including one in which he was reprimanded for failing to report fellow officers for harassing a trans woman while he was in the car.
Wednesday, October 8
Three Key Questions to Save Our Light Rail Future
In a guest op/ed, King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci made the case for considering a light rail alternative that would reduce the cost of the over-budget Ballard-to-West-Seattle light rail extension by running all three rail lines through the existing downtown tunnel, rather than digging an entirely new one.
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Two stories in Wednesday’s Afternoon Fizz: First, Mayor Bruce Harrell introduced two executive orders that, he said, will help protect Seattle against federal troops by banning face masks and training police and city employees on how to respond to ICE. Also, the SPD promotions Barnes announced internally last month include a new captain whose controversial remarks about sex workers were one of the reasons he was demoted in 2019.
Thursday, October 9
Reversing Decision, SPD Removes Controversial Captain Tietjen from East Precinct
Two days after PubliCola exclusively reported that Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes had promoted controversial police lieutenant Michael Tietjen to captain and put him in charge of Capitol Hill’s East Precinct, Barnes announced internally that he was removing Tietjen and appointing a new commander for the precinct. In his email to command staff, Barnes blamed others for the decision.
Friday, October 10
Banishment Orders and Mandatory Addiction Assessments Haven’t Helped Drug Users, Court Records Show
A recent review of court records showed that two people have been jailed, so far, for violating orders to “stay out” of designated “drug areas.” The city’s new drug diversion alternative, implemented by City Attorney Ann Davison, does not include mandatory services, and a recent review by the county public defender’s office showed that almost no one who used this alternative ended up in treatment.