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(♪♪ )

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(♪♪ )

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(♪♪ )

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[MAYOR HARELL] thanks, everyone,

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for being here.

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This may be one of our last

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press conferences outside,

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but we're going to

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stretch it here.

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So thanks for bearing with us.

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We have some exciting news

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to share with you

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and some exciting speakers

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to share their work

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and what we're going to do

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with respect to graffiti.

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I want to make some very

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specific things.

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Erica White

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from across the street.

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She was here.

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She's doing some shopping.

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But I want to thank her and

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and Marcus

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Leleo, I believe I'm

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pronouncing Marcus’s

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last name correctly,

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who owned the spot

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across the street,

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the Fat’s Chicken and Waffles

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for letting us use their area.

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I want to thank Scott Lindsay

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from our city attorney's office

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and Gregory Spots and A.P.

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Diaz,

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our new superintendent

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of parks.

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Gregory Spotts of course

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SDOT director,

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SPU staff for the work

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we're doing

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and our community

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service officers

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and some of the things

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that I'll do toward

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the end of my remarks

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at this place

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where we are

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today is sort of symbolic

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of the center district

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and what's happening here.

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And that's why we thought it

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very appropriate

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to start

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this kind of work here.

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Our partnership

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with the community

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will describe in graffiti.

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I will describe it

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sort of as

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a paint

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and partnership approach.

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I do want to say before

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I go much further,

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I want to again, once again

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extend my condolences

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to the Piggott family.

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We all know we lost Devon

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and he was one of our warriors

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in our community.

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I've spoken

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recently with his wife, Kiana,

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and we will

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do some remembrances.

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But I didn't want

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a moment

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in the Central District

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to go without mentioning

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the family

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and the pain that we

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all suffered as a community.

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The rise of prolific

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graffiti is symbolic

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of our

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city's

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historical neglect of our walls

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and our people.

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When I took office

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in two weeks,

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there was a mural defaced

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and vandalized

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with inflammatory graffiti.

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As you

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many of you know, they often

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they often,

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as we've seen in certain

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communities, contain

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hate speech.

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These this is not artwork

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in the traditional sense,

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but often these are very

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mean spirited

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and hateful comments as well.

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So our approach recognizes

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that there could be

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that portion,

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but that there could also

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be a need

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for artistic expression.

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And so when I described the six

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pillars of our approach,

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it recognizes that there's

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still a need for expression

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of the need for art.

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And as we work

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with those in this industry

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and we have some actually

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some community leaders

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that are passionate

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about graffiti abatement

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and removal,

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but also passion about artwork.

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So our very holistic approach

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to approaching graffiti

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all again,

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recognize our six

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fold approach.

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Our plan that we've

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developed, we've done

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some internal

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analysis of what

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the city has done

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in historical times

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and in recent years.

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And quite frankly,

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we are rewriting our approach

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under our One Seattle vision.

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The fact is, we've seen

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an increase in graffiti

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since the pandemic.

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The statistics,

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based on

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reporting to the city

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say a 50% increase

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in graffiti since 2019.

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That's 20,000.

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I'll repeat that number, 20,000

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reports of tags

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and graffiti, vandalism.

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But quite frankly,

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you don't need statistics

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to see

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what's happening in Seattle

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with respect to

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graffiti.

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The truth is

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the negative

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impacts are tangible.

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They're not theoretical

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for communities

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bombarded with hate speech

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like the Jewish

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Family Services earlier

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this year.

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We know that again,

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there's been many communities

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attacked with this kind of

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hate speech

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in the form of graffiti.

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For residents

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who rely on city signage.

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We see our city signage

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unreadable.

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That is unacceptable

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for small businesses

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and private owners.

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They're required in addition

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to trying to meet

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their bottom line

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and serve

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customers

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and share their expertize.

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They're not required

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to, of course, repair

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their walls

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from an unexpected act of

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graffiti.

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This is unfair to them.

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Now,

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as mayor, what I believe is

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we have

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also blank slates in our city

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that would be

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absolutely perfect

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for artistic expression.

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We have to recognize

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if you live in Seattle,

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let's treat it

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as a beautiful city.

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We are the Emerald City.

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Let's treat it as such.

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And our investment strategy

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and our implementation

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and our hearts and our minds

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and even our winds

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to sing the song

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of artistic expression

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in a positive way

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to treat this Emerald City

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the way it should be treated.

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So what does this plan entails?

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It's around six

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sort of key pillars,

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and I'll walk through

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on somewhat of a high level

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the pillars,

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and then we'll have

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some of the speakers

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after myself.

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The first pillar

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is implementing best practices

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to increase investment,

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and we have some

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volunteers here

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that have been doing this work

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just personally

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for a number of years.

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But our plan

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will enhance our staffing

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and our resources

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for Seattle

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Public Utilities,

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graffiti rangers

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to allow them

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to more easily remove

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graffiti using

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specialized equipment

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and effectively

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discouraging re tagging.

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Now, currently,

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when we examine what the city

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historically does, we

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we find out that there are

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18 departments

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to teach graffiti

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in one way or the other.

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So in our one Seattle approach,

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we looked at how

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we can consolidate

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and communicate more

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effectively, work together

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to improve our inter

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departmental coordination.

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And we have some leaders

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within the city

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who have

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stepped up for that task.

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So again,

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our first strategy will be

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our best practices

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in increasing abatement.

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And we have the budget

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proposed to do that.

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The second piece

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will be increasing

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our assistance

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to reduce graffiti

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on private property.

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You know, we don't want to get

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too deep into a payment

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ization toward

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property owners

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when they are, in fact,

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the victims

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and so under our strategy,

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new resources will be offered

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to victims of vandalism,

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and existing resources

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will be made easier

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and more equitable

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to accept, to access

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in addition to an abatement kit

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pilot program.

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The Office

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of Economic Development

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New Storefront Repair Fund.

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As an example,

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our SB

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Graffiti Rangers

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will proactively offer

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abatement services at low

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or no cost to eligible

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property owners.

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And we're very excited

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about that kind of partnership.

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Thirdly,

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we are describing what we are

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deploying

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as a many hands art initiative

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and director royal-alley barnes

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to talk

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a little bit about that.

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But we want to engage

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artists and businesses

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and volunteers and others

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to activate spaces with art.

307
00:07:43,262 --> 00:07:44,564
We want to mitigate and prevent

308
00:07:44,564 --> 00:07:46,065
graffiti through what we say.

309
00:07:46,065 --> 00:07:47,400
Many hands.

310
00:07:47,400 --> 00:07:48,768
Many artists out there.

311
00:07:48,768 --> 00:07:49,735
So through our Seattle

312
00:07:49,735 --> 00:07:51,637
Office of Arts & Culture

313
00:07:51,637 --> 00:07:52,772
we will seek partners

314
00:07:52,772 --> 00:07:54,740
to install new public art.

315
00:07:54,740 --> 00:07:55,374
And perhaps

316
00:07:55,374 --> 00:07:56,075
many of the people

317
00:07:56,075 --> 00:07:57,276
that for one reason

318
00:07:57,276 --> 00:07:58,244
or the other,

319
00:07:58,244 --> 00:07:59,579
like to engage in graffiti.

320
00:07:59,579 --> 00:08:00,179
Perhaps they can

321
00:08:00,179 --> 00:08:01,614
display their talent

322
00:08:01,614 --> 00:08:04,083
and helping us positive fully

323
00:08:04,083 --> 00:08:05,251
activate areas.

324
00:08:05,251 --> 00:08:07,220
We're looking at developing

325
00:08:07,220 --> 00:08:08,721
artist led youth programs

326
00:08:08,721 --> 00:08:10,723
that give young people

327
00:08:10,723 --> 00:08:11,924
a sanctioned, safe

328
00:08:11,924 --> 00:08:13,292
way to pursue an interest

329
00:08:13,292 --> 00:08:14,660
in street art.

330
00:08:14,660 --> 00:08:15,728
And we're very excited

331
00:08:15,728 --> 00:08:16,362
about that.

332
00:08:17,630 --> 00:08:18,764
Fourth,

333
00:08:18,764 --> 00:08:19,632
we're going to enhance

334
00:08:19,632 --> 00:08:21,067
our volunteer programing

335
00:08:21,067 --> 00:08:22,702
and coordination

336
00:08:22,702 --> 00:08:23,803
building on experience

337
00:08:23,803 --> 00:08:25,471
from Anti-Graffiti volunteers.

338
00:08:25,471 --> 00:08:26,639
Our plan will include up

339
00:08:26,639 --> 00:08:28,007
to 1000

340
00:08:28,007 --> 00:08:29,342
graffiti abatement kits.

341
00:08:29,342 --> 00:08:31,043
I believe we have one here

342
00:08:31,043 --> 00:08:32,345
and we have some individuals

343
00:08:32,345 --> 00:08:33,579
that have helped us.

344
00:08:33,579 --> 00:08:34,847
Again, going to the community

345
00:08:34,847 --> 00:08:35,481
to find out people

346
00:08:35,481 --> 00:08:36,048
who are doing this

347
00:08:36,048 --> 00:08:37,083
kind of work,

348
00:08:37,083 --> 00:08:38,551
helping us

349
00:08:38,551 --> 00:08:39,352
develop

350
00:08:39,352 --> 00:08:40,353
what is an effective

351
00:08:40,353 --> 00:08:41,187
tool to use.

352
00:08:41,187 --> 00:08:42,221
And so we have developed

353
00:08:42,221 --> 00:08:43,823
these abatement kits

354
00:08:43,823 --> 00:08:44,724
and we'll demonstrate

355
00:08:44,724 --> 00:08:45,258
how to use them

356
00:08:45,258 --> 00:08:46,325
effectively to those

357
00:08:46,325 --> 00:08:47,593
that want to help.

358
00:08:48,728 --> 00:08:50,863
The city will launch a new days

359
00:08:50,863 --> 00:08:52,131
of caring in each district

360
00:08:52,131 --> 00:08:53,966
starting in 2023.

361
00:08:53,966 --> 00:08:54,634
Each district

362
00:08:54,634 --> 00:08:56,369
have a new Day of

363
00:08:56,369 --> 00:08:57,870
Caring program

364
00:08:57,870 --> 00:08:58,971
and will bring volunteers

365
00:08:58,971 --> 00:09:00,139
and community groups together

366
00:09:00,139 --> 00:09:01,641
toward a common cause

367
00:09:01,641 --> 00:09:02,308
to beautify

368
00:09:02,308 --> 00:09:03,009
their neighborhoods.

369
00:09:03,009 --> 00:09:03,876
We will work closely

370
00:09:03,876 --> 00:09:05,411
with the city council

371
00:09:05,411 --> 00:09:06,245
and neighborhood groups

372
00:09:06,245 --> 00:09:07,213
to bring us together

373
00:09:07,213 --> 00:09:10,349
under our One Seattle vision.

374
00:09:10,483 --> 00:09:11,450
Fifth,

375
00:09:11,617 --> 00:09:13,252
a new approach to enforcement.

376
00:09:14,987 --> 00:09:16,022
So working with our

377
00:09:16,022 --> 00:09:17,156
city attorney's office

378
00:09:17,156 --> 00:09:17,590
and Seattle

379
00:09:17,590 --> 00:09:18,224
Police Department,

380
00:09:18,224 --> 00:09:18,758
we're working

381
00:09:18,758 --> 00:09:19,992
to increase the enforcement

382
00:09:19,992 --> 00:09:22,929
of graffiti offensive offenses.

383
00:09:22,962 --> 00:09:23,596
We will work

384
00:09:23,596 --> 00:09:25,197
with the defense bar.

385
00:09:25,197 --> 00:09:25,998
We will understand

386
00:09:25,998 --> 00:09:27,199
from community leaders

387
00:09:27,199 --> 00:09:28,100
what's going on

388
00:09:28,100 --> 00:09:30,202
with this activity.

389
00:09:30,202 --> 00:09:32,038
Are we enforcing our

390
00:09:32,038 --> 00:09:33,873
laws appropriately and fairly

391
00:09:33,873 --> 00:09:35,341
and constitutionally?

392
00:09:35,341 --> 00:09:37,476
But might they be might they

393
00:09:38,611 --> 00:09:39,912
should we consider changes

394
00:09:39,912 --> 00:09:40,413
to make sure

395
00:09:40,413 --> 00:09:41,948
that we are discouraging

396
00:09:41,948 --> 00:09:44,216
unlawful conduct?

397
00:09:44,216 --> 00:09:45,151
This will include

398
00:09:45,151 --> 00:09:46,118
community service

399
00:09:46,118 --> 00:09:46,986
work, mentorship

400
00:09:46,986 --> 00:09:49,055
programs, alternative avenues

401
00:09:49,055 --> 00:09:50,556
for creative expression.

402
00:09:50,556 --> 00:09:51,324
Do this

403
00:09:51,324 --> 00:09:53,759
to discourage future offenses.

404
00:09:53,759 --> 00:09:55,595
We recognize

405
00:09:55,595 --> 00:09:56,429
that this is not

406
00:09:56,429 --> 00:09:58,464
a crime of violence,

407
00:09:58,464 --> 00:10:01,467
but we also recognize that

408
00:10:01,467 --> 00:10:02,768
we don't want

409
00:10:02,768 --> 00:10:04,270
that kind of activity

410
00:10:04,270 --> 00:10:05,705
to occur on our walls.

411
00:10:05,705 --> 00:10:06,472
And we want to work

412
00:10:06,472 --> 00:10:07,640
with, again,

413
00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:09,175
the defense attorneys

414
00:10:09,175 --> 00:10:10,076
and the prosecutor's

415
00:10:10,076 --> 00:10:10,676
office, the city

416
00:10:10,676 --> 00:10:11,911
attorney's office,

417
00:10:11,911 --> 00:10:12,511
to understand

418
00:10:12,511 --> 00:10:13,346
what's going on here

419
00:10:13,346 --> 00:10:13,846
and how are we going

420
00:10:13,846 --> 00:10:16,182
to discourage that activity.

421
00:10:17,083 --> 00:10:17,883
And our last

422
00:10:19,051 --> 00:10:20,353
pillar of our six

423
00:10:20,353 --> 00:10:21,754
pillars is continued

424
00:10:21,754 --> 00:10:22,555
collaboration

425
00:10:22,555 --> 00:10:23,656
with the Washington State

426
00:10:23,656 --> 00:10:25,458
Department of Transportation.

427
00:10:25,458 --> 00:10:27,093
You've seen

428
00:10:27,093 --> 00:10:28,661
our collaborative effect,

429
00:10:28,661 --> 00:10:29,862
our collaborative relationship

430
00:10:29,862 --> 00:10:31,097
with the state.

431
00:10:31,097 --> 00:10:32,598
Yesterday, I spent

432
00:10:32,598 --> 00:10:33,299
a lot of time

433
00:10:33,299 --> 00:10:34,767
with the governor, Jay Inslee,

434
00:10:34,767 --> 00:10:36,602
and I thank him and his staff

435
00:10:36,602 --> 00:10:37,236
for working

436
00:10:37,236 --> 00:10:39,639
with us collaboratively.

437
00:10:40,473 --> 00:10:41,440
We hope that they see

438
00:10:41,440 --> 00:10:43,342
our energy around this activity

439
00:10:43,342 --> 00:10:44,510
and they continue to help us

440
00:10:44,510 --> 00:10:45,411
with properties

441
00:10:45,411 --> 00:10:46,579
that rightfully

442
00:10:46,579 --> 00:10:47,580
belong to the state

443
00:10:47,580 --> 00:10:49,749
and with that, they control.

444
00:10:49,749 --> 00:10:51,250
So our collaboration

445
00:10:51,250 --> 00:10:52,051
with the Washington State

446
00:10:52,051 --> 00:10:53,252
Department of Transportation

447
00:10:53,252 --> 00:10:54,420
will continue.

448
00:10:54,420 --> 00:10:56,122
And I hope we believe

449
00:10:56,122 --> 00:10:57,056
that the people of Seattle

450
00:10:57,056 --> 00:10:57,556
will see,

451
00:10:57,556 --> 00:10:59,358
particularly with I-5

452
00:10:59,358 --> 00:11:01,293
expansion, joint work

453
00:11:01,293 --> 00:11:02,628
and areas around those

454
00:11:02,628 --> 00:11:03,129
right of way,

455
00:11:03,129 --> 00:11:04,630
as you'll see, continued

456
00:11:04,630 --> 00:11:06,165
and perhaps accelerated

457
00:11:06,165 --> 00:11:09,769
abatement strategies.

458
00:11:11,370 --> 00:11:12,271
So

459
00:11:12,972 --> 00:11:13,439
just like

460
00:11:13,439 --> 00:11:14,707
this is a little challenging

461
00:11:14,707 --> 00:11:15,241
with this win,

462
00:11:15,241 --> 00:11:23,182
by the way, multitasking,

463
00:11:23,182 --> 00:11:23,849
but you hear me

464
00:11:23,849 --> 00:11:24,350
say in

465
00:11:24,350 --> 00:11:25,217
the Herald administration,

466
00:11:25,217 --> 00:11:26,285
we don't make it.

467
00:11:26,385 --> 00:11:27,453
We don't make excuses.

468
00:11:27,453 --> 00:11:37,563
It's like deal with this wind.

469
00:11:37,563 --> 00:11:38,431
Okay.

470
00:11:38,431 --> 00:11:40,232
So I tried to describe

471
00:11:40,232 --> 00:11:42,034
to our six fold strategies

472
00:11:42,034 --> 00:11:43,502
in our pillars

473
00:11:43,502 --> 00:11:43,736
there

474
00:11:43,736 --> 00:11:44,470
some more perhaps

475
00:11:44,470 --> 00:11:45,638
granular comments

476
00:11:45,638 --> 00:11:46,706
on our strategies.

477
00:11:46,706 --> 00:11:47,373
And I'm going to

478
00:11:47,373 --> 00:11:48,474
we're going to have a few folks

479
00:11:48,474 --> 00:11:49,208
speak after me.

480
00:11:49,208 --> 00:11:50,342
And I want to introduce to you

481
00:11:50,342 --> 00:11:52,011
our Seattle Public Utilities

482
00:11:52,011 --> 00:11:54,080
General Manager, Andrew Lee.

483
00:11:54,380 --> 00:11:55,081
Andrew, please

484
00:11:55,081 --> 00:11:59,552
come forward,.

485
00:11:59,552 --> 00:12:03,656
[ANDREW LEE]  Hi everyone

486
00:12:03,656 --> 00:12:04,223
Seattle Public

487
00:12:04,223 --> 00:12:05,991
Utilities is known

488
00:12:05,991 --> 00:12:06,559
for providing

489
00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:07,626
essential services

490
00:12:07,626 --> 00:12:08,828
like your drinking water,

491
00:12:08,828 --> 00:12:09,361
your drainage

492
00:12:09,361 --> 00:12:10,930
and wastewater services,

493
00:12:10,930 --> 00:12:11,731
as well as weekly

494
00:12:11,731 --> 00:12:13,199
garbage pickup.

495
00:12:13,199 --> 00:12:13,833
But we have been

496
00:12:13,833 --> 00:12:14,700
actually providing

497
00:12:14,700 --> 00:12:16,435
other critical services

498
00:12:16,435 --> 00:12:17,136
for decades

499
00:12:17,136 --> 00:12:18,771
that enhance our community.

500
00:12:18,771 --> 00:12:19,805
And one of them is

501
00:12:19,805 --> 00:12:21,574
graffiti abatement.

502
00:12:21,574 --> 00:12:22,675
Our graffiti Rangers

503
00:12:22,675 --> 00:12:23,209
team that

504
00:12:23,209 --> 00:12:25,010
the mayor spoke of formed

505
00:12:25,010 --> 00:12:26,779
almost 30 years ago.

506
00:12:26,779 --> 00:12:28,481
It currently consists of six

507
00:12:28,481 --> 00:12:30,816
SPU staff who abate graffiti

508
00:12:30,816 --> 00:12:32,885
in all parts of the city.

509
00:12:32,885 --> 00:12:34,754
Not only do they respond

510
00:12:34,754 --> 00:12:35,421
to graffiti

511
00:12:35,421 --> 00:12:36,422
to reports of graffiti,

512
00:12:36,422 --> 00:12:37,189
they proactively

513
00:12:37,189 --> 00:12:38,891
clean up once a week

514
00:12:38,891 --> 00:12:40,326
and each sector of the city

515
00:12:40,326 --> 00:12:41,427
to ensure that services

516
00:12:41,427 --> 00:12:42,962
are equitably distributed

517
00:12:44,296 --> 00:12:45,631
during the pandemic.

518
00:12:45,631 --> 00:12:46,265
That team

519
00:12:46,265 --> 00:12:47,266
increased their proactive

520
00:12:47,266 --> 00:12:49,335
clean up to five times a week,

521
00:12:49,335 --> 00:12:49,769
visiting

522
00:12:49,769 --> 00:12:50,803
multiple neighborhoods,

523
00:12:50,803 --> 00:12:51,804
including Chinatown,

524
00:12:51,804 --> 00:12:53,239
International District,

525
00:12:53,239 --> 00:12:54,073
Little Saigon,

526
00:12:54,073 --> 00:12:54,974
the Central District

527
00:12:54,974 --> 00:12:56,642
and West Seattle.

528
00:12:56,976 --> 00:12:57,443
We add

529
00:12:57,443 --> 00:12:58,177
we have an app

530
00:12:58,177 --> 00:12:59,411
that launched for our staff

531
00:12:59,411 --> 00:13:00,713
five years ago

532
00:13:00,713 --> 00:13:01,347
that has helped us

533
00:13:01,347 --> 00:13:02,348
to be more efficient

534
00:13:02,348 --> 00:13:03,916
and effective.

535
00:13:04,116 --> 00:13:05,050
But as the mayor mentioned,

536
00:13:05,050 --> 00:13:06,285
despite being responsive

537
00:13:06,285 --> 00:13:07,419
and proactive,

538
00:13:07,419 --> 00:13:08,521
there is still much work

539
00:13:08,521 --> 00:13:09,522
to be done.

540
00:13:09,522 --> 00:13:10,222
As we have noted,

541
00:13:10,222 --> 00:13:11,791
a huge spike in graffiti

542
00:13:11,791 --> 00:13:14,160
reports in the last year.

543
00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:15,661
Additional funding

544
00:13:15,661 --> 00:13:16,228
would provide

545
00:13:16,228 --> 00:13:17,096
more resources

546
00:13:17,096 --> 00:13:19,298
like extra graffiti rangers

547
00:13:19,298 --> 00:13:20,132
and more painting

548
00:13:20,132 --> 00:13:21,333
related equipment

549
00:13:21,333 --> 00:13:22,468
for ask for you to respond,

550
00:13:22,468 --> 00:13:23,936
especially supporting

551
00:13:23,936 --> 00:13:24,737
that second pillar

552
00:13:24,737 --> 00:13:26,672
that the mayor spoke of

553
00:13:26,672 --> 00:13:27,373
abating graffiti

554
00:13:27,373 --> 00:13:29,175
on private property.

555
00:13:29,508 --> 00:13:30,376
With note on that,

556
00:13:30,376 --> 00:13:31,710
we know that there is a burden

557
00:13:31,710 --> 00:13:33,512
when homes or businesses

558
00:13:33,512 --> 00:13:35,114
are defaced by graffiti

559
00:13:35,114 --> 00:13:36,882
against their permission.

560
00:13:36,882 --> 00:13:38,617
They are victims of a crime.

561
00:13:38,617 --> 00:13:38,984
And that's

562
00:13:38,984 --> 00:13:39,752
why SPU

563
00:13:39,752 --> 00:13:40,419
when we lead

564
00:13:40,419 --> 00:13:41,353
enforcement efforts,

565
00:13:41,353 --> 00:13:43,322
we always lead with education.

566
00:13:43,322 --> 00:13:44,156
We also offer

567
00:13:44,156 --> 00:13:48,294
paint and supplies.

568
00:13:48,294 --> 00:13:49,428
And just recently, we're

569
00:13:49,428 --> 00:13:50,896
also offering staff support.

570
00:13:50,896 --> 00:13:51,897
So as the mayor mentioned,

571
00:13:51,897 --> 00:13:52,965
we're going to be proactively

572
00:13:52,965 --> 00:13:55,000
upping our efforts to offer

573
00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:57,036
free staff support, to paint

574
00:13:57,036 --> 00:13:58,337
when when private properties

575
00:13:58,337 --> 00:13:59,572
are impacted by graffiti.

576
00:14:00,940 --> 00:14:01,707
Our assistance is

577
00:14:01,707 --> 00:14:02,041
also going

578
00:14:02,041 --> 00:14:02,942
to proactively offer

579
00:14:02,942 --> 00:14:04,343
abatement services and graffiti

580
00:14:04,343 --> 00:14:05,544
hotspots

581
00:14:05,544 --> 00:14:06,645
to eligible property

582
00:14:06,645 --> 00:14:08,581
owners, including residents,

583
00:14:08,581 --> 00:14:09,381
small businesses,

584
00:14:09,381 --> 00:14:11,116
nonprofits and victims

585
00:14:11,116 --> 00:14:12,751
of hate graffiti.

586
00:14:12,751 --> 00:14:13,552
I'll say

587
00:14:13,552 --> 00:14:15,120
I'm incredibly proud

588
00:14:15,120 --> 00:14:15,621
of the work

589
00:14:15,621 --> 00:14:17,556
that our ASP staff do.

590
00:14:17,556 --> 00:14:18,924
Over the last 12 months,

591
00:14:18,924 --> 00:14:19,425
the graffiti

592
00:14:19,425 --> 00:14:20,793
rangers have actually

593
00:14:20,793 --> 00:14:23,162
removed 100%

594
00:14:23,162 --> 00:14:24,163
reported graffiti

595
00:14:24,163 --> 00:14:25,431
within the right of way areas

596
00:14:25,431 --> 00:14:26,999
that were responsible for

597
00:14:26,999 --> 00:14:28,934
within ten business days.

598
00:14:28,934 --> 00:14:30,169
And more than 98% of

599
00:14:30,169 --> 00:14:30,603
the graffiti

600
00:14:30,603 --> 00:14:32,171
was actually abated within two

601
00:14:32,171 --> 00:14:33,973
two business days.

602
00:14:33,973 --> 00:14:35,307
In 2021,

603
00:14:35,307 --> 00:14:36,008
the mayor cited

604
00:14:36,008 --> 00:14:36,575
the example

605
00:14:36,575 --> 00:14:38,510
of the Jewish Family Center.

606
00:14:38,510 --> 00:14:40,946
There were similarly 28 racist

607
00:14:41,280 --> 00:14:42,114
hate, vulgar

608
00:14:42,114 --> 00:14:44,049
reports on city property,

609
00:14:44,049 --> 00:14:45,017
and all were abated

610
00:14:45,017 --> 00:14:47,253
within 24 hours.

611
00:14:47,353 --> 00:14:48,120
We have programs

612
00:14:48,120 --> 00:14:49,388
like Adopt the Streets,

613
00:14:49,388 --> 00:14:51,023
where we provide volunteers

614
00:14:51,023 --> 00:14:51,690
with materials

615
00:14:51,690 --> 00:14:53,092
and training to remove graffiti

616
00:14:53,092 --> 00:14:54,326
in their neighborhoods.

617
00:14:54,326 --> 00:14:55,261
And we're really excited

618
00:14:55,261 --> 00:14:56,795
to continue to collaborate

619
00:14:56,795 --> 00:14:57,963
with the city on new

620
00:14:57,963 --> 00:14:59,398
and expanded volunteer programs

621
00:14:59,398 --> 00:15:00,432
like The Days of Service,

622
00:15:01,800 --> 00:15:03,002
as he also provides

623
00:15:03,002 --> 00:15:04,336
funding to nine

624
00:15:04,336 --> 00:15:05,104
business improvement

625
00:15:05,104 --> 00:15:06,005
areas throughout the city

626
00:15:06,005 --> 00:15:06,572
to augment

627
00:15:06,572 --> 00:15:08,007
their cleaning services,

628
00:15:08,007 --> 00:15:10,442
including graffiti abatement.

629
00:15:10,776 --> 00:15:11,577
Just like to close

630
00:15:11,577 --> 00:15:12,211
by saying that

631
00:15:12,211 --> 00:15:12,645
with these

632
00:15:12,645 --> 00:15:14,046
additional investments

633
00:15:14,046 --> 00:15:14,880
to SPU

634
00:15:14,880 --> 00:15:16,548
and the other city departments,

635
00:15:16,548 --> 00:15:17,416
we're really confident

636
00:15:17,416 --> 00:15:17,783
that we can

637
00:15:17,783 --> 00:15:18,617
strengthen our efforts

638
00:15:18,617 --> 00:15:20,519
to keep our city beautiful.

639
00:15:20,519 --> 00:15:21,353
Thanks.

640
00:15:22,588 --> 00:15:25,157
[MAYOR HARRELL] Thank you, Andrew.

641
00:15:25,157 --> 00:15:27,192
Thank you very much, Andrew.

642
00:15:27,192 --> 00:15:27,960
Before answering

643
00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:28,694
our next speaker,

644
00:15:28,694 --> 00:15:29,962
I do want to make

645
00:15:29,962 --> 00:15:30,663
two points

646
00:15:30,663 --> 00:15:32,665
that I don't think I made

647
00:15:34,166 --> 00:15:34,934
clear

648
00:15:35,701 --> 00:15:38,370
that we put in our budget

649
00:15:38,370 --> 00:15:39,038
this year

650
00:15:39,038 --> 00:15:41,473
approximately $950,000.

651
00:15:41,473 --> 00:15:42,441
I think we've passed out

652
00:15:42,441 --> 00:15:45,077
a few points on this

653
00:15:45,144 --> 00:15:46,211
matter,

654
00:15:46,578 --> 00:15:48,280
about $950,000

655
00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:49,114
that would go toward

656
00:15:49,114 --> 00:15:50,149
abatement efforts

657
00:15:50,149 --> 00:15:50,783
and support

658
00:15:50,783 --> 00:15:51,917
for our property owners

659
00:15:51,917 --> 00:15:53,085
impacted by graffiti

660
00:15:53,085 --> 00:15:53,719
and enhancing

661
00:15:53,719 --> 00:15:55,854
volunteer opportunities.

662
00:15:55,854 --> 00:15:57,389
Every single opportunity

663
00:15:57,389 --> 00:15:58,257
we have to unite

664
00:15:58,257 --> 00:16:00,326
this city around a common goal

665
00:16:00,326 --> 00:16:02,127
is what we're trying to do.

666
00:16:02,127 --> 00:16:03,429
We believe that the whole city

667
00:16:03,429 --> 00:16:03,963
are asking for

668
00:16:03,963 --> 00:16:05,664
this kind of response

669
00:16:05,664 --> 00:16:06,332
from the city.

670
00:16:06,332 --> 00:16:07,766
And I talked earlier

671
00:16:07,766 --> 00:16:08,734
in another speech on

672
00:16:08,734 --> 00:16:09,802
another occasion about

673
00:16:11,303 --> 00:16:11,737
a core

674
00:16:11,737 --> 00:16:13,205
competency in the city

675
00:16:13,205 --> 00:16:15,007
going back to the basics.

676
00:16:15,007 --> 00:16:15,741
This is something

677
00:16:15,741 --> 00:16:16,375
that the government

678
00:16:16,375 --> 00:16:17,810
should be partnering

679
00:16:17,810 --> 00:16:18,877
with business owners

680
00:16:18,877 --> 00:16:20,045
and community members in doing,

681
00:16:20,045 --> 00:16:20,412
and that's

682
00:16:20,412 --> 00:16:21,447
what our administration is

683
00:16:21,447 --> 00:16:22,481
all about.

684
00:16:22,481 --> 00:16:24,483
I also wanted to thank

685
00:16:24,483 --> 00:16:26,318
some particular members

686
00:16:26,318 --> 00:16:27,619
Adi Emery,

687
00:16:27,619 --> 00:16:28,687
Paul Jackson

688
00:16:28,687 --> 00:16:30,422
and Liz on our team

689
00:16:30,422 --> 00:16:31,290
for really

690
00:16:31,290 --> 00:16:32,524
before we had this

691
00:16:32,524 --> 00:16:34,360
press conference, really

692
00:16:34,360 --> 00:16:35,894
going back to the drawing board

693
00:16:35,894 --> 00:16:37,796
and doing an internal analysis

694
00:16:37,796 --> 00:16:38,731
of what we've been doing

695
00:16:38,731 --> 00:16:40,366
and how we can improve it.

696
00:16:40,366 --> 00:16:41,900
So this strategy was

697
00:16:41,900 --> 00:16:42,901
certainly was not done

698
00:16:42,901 --> 00:16:43,802
overnight.

699
00:16:43,802 --> 00:16:45,237
We looked at best practices

700
00:16:45,237 --> 00:16:46,071
throughout this country,

701
00:16:46,071 --> 00:16:46,772
what we can do,

702
00:16:46,772 --> 00:16:47,539
what partnerships

703
00:16:47,539 --> 00:16:48,607
we need to develop,

704
00:16:48,607 --> 00:16:49,141
and how

705
00:16:49,141 --> 00:16:50,709
we need to change the narrative

706
00:16:50,709 --> 00:16:51,310
once again

707
00:16:51,310 --> 00:16:52,978
to develop generosity

708
00:16:52,978 --> 00:16:54,246
that we're so proud of.

709
00:16:54,246 --> 00:16:55,247
And having said that,

710
00:16:55,247 --> 00:16:57,082
this is a good opportunity to

711
00:16:57,082 --> 00:16:58,317
talk about the artistic

712
00:16:59,351 --> 00:17:00,085
pillar.

713
00:17:00,085 --> 00:17:01,053
Our arts

714
00:17:01,053 --> 00:17:08,727
director, royal alley-barnes

715
00:17:10,662 --> 00:17:13,966
[ROYAL ALLEY-BARNES] Good afternoon.

716
00:17:13,966 --> 00:17:15,467
Good afternoon.

717
00:17:16,268 --> 00:17:19,038
You know, a hard act to follow

718
00:17:19,338 --> 00:17:21,140
is the energy that comes

719
00:17:21,140 --> 00:17:22,374
from being joyful

720
00:17:22,374 --> 00:17:23,909
in this municipality

721
00:17:23,909 --> 00:17:24,977
and in the city.

722
00:17:24,977 --> 00:17:26,311
So I want to say it again.

723
00:17:26,311 --> 00:17:28,080
Good afternoon.

724
00:17:28,680 --> 00:17:29,348
I also want to

725
00:17:29,348 --> 00:17:29,748
thank you,

726
00:17:29,748 --> 00:17:31,216
Mayor Harrell, for Roy

727
00:17:31,216 --> 00:17:32,985
for rolling out this innovative

728
00:17:32,985 --> 00:17:34,119
graffiti plan

729
00:17:34,119 --> 00:17:35,988
that is focused on listening

730
00:17:35,988 --> 00:17:37,022
to the many voices

731
00:17:37,022 --> 00:17:38,657
of our communities.

732
00:17:38,657 --> 00:17:39,858
Graffiti abatement

733
00:17:39,858 --> 00:17:41,727
is one strategy

734
00:17:41,727 --> 00:17:42,628
in decreasing

735
00:17:42,628 --> 00:17:45,798
graffiti across the city.

736
00:17:45,798 --> 00:17:47,666
The many hands, Mr.

737
00:17:47,666 --> 00:17:50,502
Mayor, your many hands

738
00:17:50,502 --> 00:17:53,238
art initiative is the other.

739
00:17:53,505 --> 00:17:55,874
It is the other two sides size

740
00:17:55,874 --> 00:17:56,842
one coin

741
00:17:56,842 --> 00:17:59,745
in the bank of Social Cohesion.

742
00:18:00,546 --> 00:18:02,147
The goal of the many Hands

743
00:18:02,147 --> 00:18:03,582
Art Initiative

744
00:18:03,582 --> 00:18:04,416
is to engage

745
00:18:04,416 --> 00:18:05,551
with artists,

746
00:18:05,551 --> 00:18:07,619
businesses, volunteers,

747
00:18:07,619 --> 00:18:08,720
youth and others

748
00:18:08,720 --> 00:18:10,022
in the community

749
00:18:10,022 --> 00:18:11,356
to activate spaces

750
00:18:11,356 --> 00:18:12,324
with art,

751
00:18:12,324 --> 00:18:13,625
mitigating

752
00:18:13,625 --> 00:18:15,894
and preventing graffiti

753
00:18:15,894 --> 00:18:16,562
with the Arts

754
00:18:16,562 --> 00:18:17,596
Hope Corps

755
00:18:17,596 --> 00:18:18,397
Street Art

756
00:18:18,397 --> 00:18:21,033
Request for proposals in RFP.

757
00:18:21,767 --> 00:18:24,436
Artist led cohorts will install

758
00:18:24,436 --> 00:18:26,672
and maintain authentic

759
00:18:26,672 --> 00:18:28,440
community created art

760
00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:30,142
providing opportunities

761
00:18:30,142 --> 00:18:31,877
for creative workers.

762
00:18:31,877 --> 00:18:33,412
Yes, creative workers

763
00:18:33,412 --> 00:18:35,414
in this economy

764
00:18:35,414 --> 00:18:37,049
throughout Seattle

765
00:18:37,049 --> 00:18:38,550
focusing on graffiti

766
00:18:38,550 --> 00:18:40,085
prone community areas.

767
00:18:42,688 --> 00:18:43,455
Arts opened

768
00:18:43,455 --> 00:18:43,989
this pilot

769
00:18:43,989 --> 00:18:44,656
program

770
00:18:44,656 --> 00:18:46,058
as an opportunity earlier

771
00:18:46,058 --> 00:18:47,192
this month.

772
00:18:47,392 --> 00:18:48,560
It will be closing.

773
00:18:48,560 --> 00:18:49,995
I think it opened like October

774
00:18:49,995 --> 00:18:51,096
17th will be closing

775
00:18:51,096 --> 00:18:52,097
November 8th.

776
00:18:52,097 --> 00:18:52,965
We're excited to see

777
00:18:52,965 --> 00:18:54,900
what the call will bring in

778
00:18:54,900 --> 00:18:56,101
and it will support

779
00:18:56,101 --> 00:18:57,402
artist led programs

780
00:18:57,402 --> 00:18:58,837
encouraging youth

781
00:18:58,837 --> 00:19:00,672
and others towards safe,

782
00:19:00,672 --> 00:19:02,541
creative alternatives

783
00:19:02,541 --> 00:19:04,143
to graffiti.

784
00:19:04,309 --> 00:19:05,644
The hopes for many hands

785
00:19:05,644 --> 00:19:06,411
are the initiative.

786
00:19:06,411 --> 00:19:08,747
RFP creates a trance

787
00:19:09,248 --> 00:19:10,015
formative of

788
00:19:10,015 --> 00:19:11,717
equitable, sustainable,

789
00:19:11,717 --> 00:19:13,886
collaborative community spaces

790
00:19:13,886 --> 00:19:15,053
to elevate street

791
00:19:15,053 --> 00:19:17,756
art and nurture new voices.

792
00:19:17,756 --> 00:19:18,991
Approaching this increased

793
00:19:18,991 --> 00:19:20,259
graffiti activity

794
00:19:20,259 --> 00:19:22,327
through a spatial justice lens.

795
00:19:22,594 --> 00:19:23,762
Street art

796
00:19:23,762 --> 00:19:25,664
means creating opportunities

797
00:19:25,664 --> 00:19:27,699
for these new voices

798
00:19:27,699 --> 00:19:29,601
as street artist

799
00:19:29,601 --> 00:19:31,570
to work with community

800
00:19:31,570 --> 00:19:34,072
and create new visual murals

801
00:19:34,072 --> 00:19:35,807
throughout the city.

802
00:19:35,807 --> 00:19:38,644
Murals throughout Seattle.

803
00:19:38,644 --> 00:19:40,846
The Reverend Martin Luther

804
00:19:40,846 --> 00:19:43,382
the sorry

805
00:19:43,382 --> 00:19:44,449
The wind in my face.

806
00:19:44,449 --> 00:19:45,117
It's beautiful,

807
00:19:45,117 --> 00:19:46,218
but it also gets dust

808
00:19:46,218 --> 00:19:47,519
in your eyes.

809
00:19:47,519 --> 00:19:48,353
The Reverend Martin

810
00:19:48,353 --> 00:19:49,555
Luther King Jr.

811
00:19:49,555 --> 00:19:51,657
A mural right behind us

812
00:19:51,657 --> 00:19:52,624
has been a community

813
00:19:52,624 --> 00:19:55,360
icon since 1995

814
00:19:55,928 --> 00:19:57,729
and it was UN Graffiti

815
00:19:57,729 --> 00:20:00,632
for 26 years until recently.

816
00:20:01,967 --> 00:20:02,601
The murals

817
00:20:02,601 --> 00:20:03,969
original artists.

818
00:20:03,969 --> 00:20:06,138
James Kreponal 

819
00:20:06,138 --> 00:20:07,105
the community

820
00:20:07,105 --> 00:20:09,308
and this is white.

821
00:20:09,308 --> 00:20:10,409
Other volunteers

822
00:20:10,409 --> 00:20:12,110
and arts work together

823
00:20:12,110 --> 00:20:13,278
to return the work

824
00:20:13,278 --> 00:20:13,645
to its

825
00:20:13,645 --> 00:20:14,646
graffiti

826
00:20:14,646 --> 00:20:15,814
free status

827
00:20:15,814 --> 00:20:17,749
in less than a week.

828
00:20:17,749 --> 00:20:18,517
The artist

829
00:20:18,517 --> 00:20:19,418
and community

830
00:20:19,418 --> 00:20:21,286
response to the street art

831
00:20:21,286 --> 00:20:23,522
call is going to be exciting.

832
00:20:24,389 --> 00:20:25,090
It's going to help

833
00:20:25,090 --> 00:20:26,191
turn the corner

834
00:20:26,191 --> 00:20:28,093
and decrease in graffiti

835
00:20:28,093 --> 00:20:29,595
and it's going to support

836
00:20:29,595 --> 00:20:31,630
a One Seattle of murals.

837
00:20:31,830 --> 00:20:33,298
Thank you so much.

838
00:20:33,298 --> 00:20:37,436
Thank.

839
00:20:37,436 --> 00:20:39,304
[MAYOR HARRELLL] Thank you very much, Royal.

840
00:20:39,304 --> 00:20:40,372
Beautiful.

841
00:20:40,539 --> 00:20:43,108
So in recent years

842
00:20:43,842 --> 00:20:44,810
and some have been doing

843
00:20:44,810 --> 00:20:46,511
the work for decades,

844
00:20:46,511 --> 00:20:49,081
we've had community heroes

845
00:20:49,081 --> 00:20:50,382
almost single handedly

846
00:20:50,382 --> 00:20:52,251
trying to take on graffiti

847
00:20:52,251 --> 00:20:52,551
in their

848
00:20:52,551 --> 00:20:54,553
particular neighborhoods.

849
00:20:54,553 --> 00:20:56,121
And we want to recognize

850
00:20:56,121 --> 00:20:57,089
one particular

851
00:20:57,089 --> 00:20:58,390
individual, Denice Chase,

852
00:20:58,390 --> 00:21:00,092
who will say a few words,

853
00:21:00,092 --> 00:21:00,759
particularly around

854
00:21:00,759 --> 00:21:02,027
the Wallingford Woodland

855
00:21:02,027 --> 00:21:04,129
Park neighborhood area,

856
00:21:04,129 --> 00:21:06,698
who sort of exemplify as

857
00:21:06,698 --> 00:21:07,599
one of our pillars.

858
00:21:07,599 --> 00:21:09,468
And how do we assist and help

859
00:21:09,468 --> 00:21:11,803
those that, again,

860
00:21:11,803 --> 00:21:13,505
want to help beautify the city?

861
00:21:13,505 --> 00:21:14,106
They do this

862
00:21:14,106 --> 00:21:15,374
kind of abatement work

863
00:21:15,374 --> 00:21:15,841
simply

864
00:21:15,841 --> 00:21:16,975
because they want to beautify

865
00:21:16,975 --> 00:21:18,310
their neighborhoods.

866
00:21:18,310 --> 00:21:19,077
And so we thought

867
00:21:19,077 --> 00:21:19,745
it very proper

868
00:21:19,745 --> 00:21:20,212
to hear

869
00:21:20,212 --> 00:21:21,813
from one of our champions

870
00:21:21,813 --> 00:21:23,849
in the city, Denice Chase.

871
00:21:23,849 --> 00:21:24,950
Denice.

872
00:21:29,388 --> 00:21:30,522
[DENICE CHASE] Thank you, Mayor, for

873
00:21:30,522 --> 00:21:31,323
inviting me.

874
00:21:31,323 --> 00:21:31,723
And I.

875
00:21:31,723 --> 00:21:32,791
I just want to say

876
00:21:32,791 --> 00:21:33,458
that I am

877
00:21:33,458 --> 00:21:34,793
only one person

878
00:21:34,793 --> 00:21:36,662
and feel very honored

879
00:21:36,662 --> 00:21:37,929
to represent

880
00:21:37,929 --> 00:21:38,997
all of the volunteers

881
00:21:38,997 --> 00:21:39,531
in the city,

882
00:21:39,531 --> 00:21:40,198
because there is

883
00:21:40,198 --> 00:21:41,433
at least one person

884
00:21:41,433 --> 00:21:43,368
in every single community

885
00:21:43,368 --> 00:21:44,102
that is out there

886
00:21:44,102 --> 00:21:45,470
leading the way

887
00:21:45,470 --> 00:21:46,905
and making a difference

888
00:21:46,905 --> 00:21:47,839
in their communities.

889
00:21:47,839 --> 00:21:49,675
So that is a big honor

890
00:21:49,675 --> 00:21:50,742
for me to be here

891
00:21:50,742 --> 00:21:51,543
representing all

892
00:21:51,543 --> 00:21:52,778
of those people.

893
00:21:52,778 --> 00:21:53,979
I'm really passionate

894
00:21:53,979 --> 00:21:55,113
about this issue,

895
00:21:55,113 --> 00:21:55,881
and it's not

896
00:21:55,881 --> 00:21:57,282
that I'm a real nerd

897
00:21:57,282 --> 00:21:58,317
and that I'm passionate

898
00:21:58,317 --> 00:21:59,584
about graffiti

899
00:21:59,584 --> 00:22:01,153
or picking up litter,

900
00:22:01,153 --> 00:22:01,787
but I am

901
00:22:01,787 --> 00:22:04,056
compassionate about community.

902
00:22:04,056 --> 00:22:04,956
And I think that

903
00:22:04,956 --> 00:22:06,925
when we care for our community,

904
00:22:06,925 --> 00:22:08,393
it really shows in

905
00:22:08,393 --> 00:22:09,761
taking care of the graffiti

906
00:22:09,761 --> 00:22:10,862
and the

907
00:22:11,763 --> 00:22:12,964
litter that's around.

908
00:22:12,964 --> 00:22:14,533
And I've lived here a long time

909
00:22:14,533 --> 00:22:15,567
and I want to be proud

910
00:22:15,567 --> 00:22:16,868
of the city that we live in.

911
00:22:16,868 --> 00:22:18,904
I don't want it to walk down

912
00:22:18,904 --> 00:22:19,638
and have visitors

913
00:22:19,638 --> 00:22:20,906
from other cities

914
00:22:20,906 --> 00:22:21,306
think that

915
00:22:21,306 --> 00:22:22,774
we don't all appreciate

916
00:22:22,774 --> 00:22:24,409
the beauty that we have.

917
00:22:24,409 --> 00:22:25,277
And so that's kind of

918
00:22:25,277 --> 00:22:26,111
how I got started.

919
00:22:26,111 --> 00:22:26,912
I mean, I've lived here

920
00:22:26,912 --> 00:22:27,612
a long time.

921
00:22:27,612 --> 00:22:29,281
I've had dogs forever.

922
00:22:29,281 --> 00:22:30,716
I walk dogs in the park.

923
00:22:30,716 --> 00:22:32,050
It seemed just natural

924
00:22:32,050 --> 00:22:32,951
to pick up the litter.

925
00:22:32,951 --> 00:22:34,419
I was walking by.

926
00:22:34,419 --> 00:22:35,687
And so that's what I did.

927
00:22:35,687 --> 00:22:36,822
And for many years

928
00:22:36,822 --> 00:22:38,123
I could take a grocery bag out

929
00:22:38,123 --> 00:22:39,358
and pick up the litter.

930
00:22:39,358 --> 00:22:40,792
And in recent years, I'm

931
00:22:40,792 --> 00:22:42,794
taking 30 gallon bags out

932
00:22:43,161 --> 00:22:43,929
to pick up litter

933
00:22:43,929 --> 00:22:45,597
in the same area.

934
00:22:45,597 --> 00:22:46,631
And I must say, Mayor,

935
00:22:46,631 --> 00:22:48,266
in the last six months,

936
00:22:48,266 --> 00:22:49,534
I'm back to my grocery bag

937
00:22:49,534 --> 00:22:50,235
in my neighborhood,

938
00:22:50,235 --> 00:22:51,069
and I want to thank you

939
00:22:51,069 --> 00:22:51,970
for that.

940
00:22:52,037 --> 00:22:53,605
It's really a big difference.

941
00:22:53,605 --> 00:22:55,307
I'm starting to see results

942
00:22:55,307 --> 00:22:57,342
of everybody coming together.

943
00:22:57,676 --> 00:22:59,044
And again, more than what

944
00:22:59,044 --> 00:23:01,213
I do is the response I get.

945
00:23:01,413 --> 00:23:03,081
I'm never out there without

946
00:23:03,081 --> 00:23:04,282
having somebody say,

947
00:23:05,851 --> 00:23:07,319
Do you get paid for this?

948
00:23:07,319 --> 00:23:08,286
Are you volunteering

949
00:23:08,286 --> 00:23:09,321
or are you with a group

950
00:23:09,321 --> 00:23:10,222
or are you just doing this?

951
00:23:10,222 --> 00:23:11,123
Are you working off

952
00:23:11,123 --> 00:23:13,392
your community service hours?

953
00:23:13,392 --> 00:23:14,359
And I say, no,

954
00:23:14,359 --> 00:23:15,427
it's just where I live

955
00:23:15,427 --> 00:23:16,461
and I'm proud of where I am

956
00:23:16,461 --> 00:23:18,230
and that's why I'm out here.

957
00:23:18,230 --> 00:23:20,565
And so it's it creates

958
00:23:20,565 --> 00:23:22,134
that sense of community.

959
00:23:22,134 --> 00:23:23,368
Every one of those people

960
00:23:23,368 --> 00:23:24,136
now say, you know,

961
00:23:24,136 --> 00:23:24,870
if you can do this,

962
00:23:24,870 --> 00:23:26,571
I can do it, too.

963
00:23:26,571 --> 00:23:27,873
And then what I did

964
00:23:27,873 --> 00:23:29,441
see is exactly what your

965
00:23:29,441 --> 00:23:31,543
your state of your data shows.

966
00:23:31,543 --> 00:23:32,310
And that's that

967
00:23:32,310 --> 00:23:33,512
the graffiti has grown

968
00:23:33,512 --> 00:23:34,646
and it's everywhere,

969
00:23:34,646 --> 00:23:34,980
and it's

970
00:23:34,980 --> 00:23:35,847
now become the

971
00:23:35,847 --> 00:23:37,816
new litter of our city.

972
00:23:37,816 --> 00:23:40,552
And so I complained about it

973
00:23:40,552 --> 00:23:42,020
and I report it to the city.

974
00:23:42,020 --> 00:23:43,054
And then I realized that

975
00:23:43,054 --> 00:23:44,456
I could be part of the solution

976
00:23:44,456 --> 00:23:45,090
or I could be part

977
00:23:45,090 --> 00:23:46,158
of the problem.

978
00:23:46,158 --> 00:23:47,225
So I started painting out

979
00:23:47,225 --> 00:23:48,260
graffiti and I picked

980
00:23:48,260 --> 00:23:49,027
two areas

981
00:23:49,027 --> 00:23:50,462
that are close to me

982
00:23:50,462 --> 00:23:52,831
because what I saw is the group

983
00:23:52,998 --> 00:23:54,065
that are eight people

984
00:23:54,065 --> 00:23:55,033
in our entire city

985
00:23:55,033 --> 00:23:56,701
trying to keep the graffiti

986
00:23:56,701 --> 00:23:57,402
at hand

987
00:23:57,402 --> 00:23:58,837
and at they couldn't

988
00:23:58,837 --> 00:23:59,471
keep up with it.

989
00:23:59,471 --> 00:24:00,439
They would come and clean

990
00:24:00,439 --> 00:24:01,840
something up and it was tagged

991
00:24:01,840 --> 00:24:03,542
the next day or the next week.

992
00:24:03,542 --> 00:24:03,742
Well,

993
00:24:03,742 --> 00:24:05,877
I walk by that every single day

994
00:24:05,877 --> 00:24:07,979
and I now have my paint

995
00:24:07,979 --> 00:24:08,947
and my rollers,

996
00:24:08,947 --> 00:24:09,881
and when I walk by,

997
00:24:09,881 --> 00:24:10,982
I just get rid of it.

998
00:24:10,982 --> 00:24:12,584
And I have two spots.

999
00:24:12,584 --> 00:24:13,518
And I must say that

1000
00:24:13,518 --> 00:24:13,852
they're getting

1001
00:24:13,852 --> 00:24:14,820
a little tired of me.

1002
00:24:14,820 --> 00:24:15,954
I have a little more time

1003
00:24:15,954 --> 00:24:16,955
and a little more paint

1004
00:24:16,955 --> 00:24:18,523
than the taggers do.

1005
00:24:18,523 --> 00:24:19,825
And so I've been able

1006
00:24:19,825 --> 00:24:21,693
to keep those two places clean.

1007
00:24:21,693 --> 00:24:22,394
And again,

1008
00:24:22,394 --> 00:24:23,562
every time I'm out there,

1009
00:24:23,562 --> 00:24:25,096
I've had people say, Can I,

1010
00:24:25,096 --> 00:24:26,431
can I buy the paint for you?

1011
00:24:26,431 --> 00:24:27,332
Can I give you money

1012
00:24:27,332 --> 00:24:28,633
for the paint?

1013
00:24:28,633 --> 00:24:29,768
I must say I

1014
00:24:29,768 --> 00:24:30,669
when I first started,

1015
00:24:30,669 --> 00:24:31,369
I wanted to pick

1016
00:24:31,369 --> 00:24:32,704
some really unique color

1017
00:24:32,704 --> 00:24:33,939
and have my tag also,

1018
00:24:33,939 --> 00:24:34,739
but I decided

1019
00:24:34,739 --> 00:24:36,741
that was defeated. The purpose.

1020
00:24:36,741 --> 00:24:38,009
So I have paint

1021
00:24:38,009 --> 00:24:39,578
that matches the cities

1022
00:24:39,578 --> 00:24:41,513
and I paint out the tags.

1023
00:24:41,513 --> 00:24:42,681
And unfortunately

1024
00:24:42,681 --> 00:24:43,548
some of those tags

1025
00:24:43,548 --> 00:24:46,051
have been violent

1026
00:24:46,051 --> 00:24:47,519
and anti-Semitic

1027
00:24:47,519 --> 00:24:48,787
and I can walk by

1028
00:24:48,787 --> 00:24:50,388
and get rid of it immediately.

1029
00:24:50,388 --> 00:24:52,524
And so I just really appreciate

1030
00:24:53,792 --> 00:24:55,560
your bringing volunteers

1031
00:24:55,560 --> 00:24:57,128
and the city together.

1032
00:24:57,128 --> 00:24:58,263
So because I'm already

1033
00:24:58,263 --> 00:24:59,931
seeing results

1034
00:24:59,931 --> 00:25:00,532
and I'm

1035
00:25:00,532 --> 00:25:01,933
thrilled to be part of it.

1036
00:25:01,933 --> 00:25:02,267
Thank you.

1037
00:25:02,267 --> 00:25:03,735
Thank you. Thank you.

1038
00:25:03,735 --> 00:25:04,069
Thank you.

1039
00:25:04,069 --> 00:25:04,369
Thank

1040
00:25:07,038 --> 00:25:09,040
[MAYOR HARRELL]  Wait Denice

1041
00:25:09,040 --> 00:25:11,776
 a day

1042
00:25:12,511 --> 00:25:13,378
would be wasted

1043
00:25:13,378 --> 00:25:15,046
if we didn't recognize.

1044
00:25:15,046 --> 00:25:16,114
We want to hand you this.

1045
00:25:16,114 --> 00:25:17,015
This is a

1046
00:25:17,516 --> 00:25:18,950
our One Seattle Service

1047
00:25:18,950 --> 00:25:21,586
Award to Denice Chase.

1048
00:25:21,586 --> 00:25:22,621
It's like the

1049
00:25:22,621 --> 00:25:26,191
like the key to the city here.

1050
00:25:26,191 --> 00:25:27,526
And we want to

1051
00:25:27,526 --> 00:25:28,660
if there's one picture

1052
00:25:28,660 --> 00:25:29,828
I hope that we capture,

1053
00:25:29,828 --> 00:25:31,263
is this one right here?

1054
00:25:31,263 --> 00:25:31,963
Because this is

1055
00:25:31,963 --> 00:25:33,064
what One Seattle is about

1056
00:25:33,064 --> 00:25:34,332
right now.

1057
00:25:34,332 --> 00:25:35,667
We realize

1058
00:25:35,667 --> 00:25:36,334
we have our

1059
00:25:36,334 --> 00:25:37,602
responsibility to do,

1060
00:25:37,602 --> 00:25:39,137
but we can't do it alone.

1061
00:25:39,137 --> 00:25:39,571
Thank you

1062
00:25:39,571 --> 00:25:40,705
for your leadership, Denice.

1063
00:25:40,705 --> 00:25:42,507
Thank you very much.

1064
00:25:43,174 --> 00:25:43,441
Don't

1065
00:25:43,441 --> 00:25:46,945
put that on eBay, by the way.

1066
00:25:46,945 --> 00:25:48,780
So our last speaker

1067
00:25:48,780 --> 00:25:49,681
sort of symbolizes

1068
00:25:49,681 --> 00:25:51,049
our partnership with the state.

1069
00:25:51,049 --> 00:25:52,551
This is the Washington

1070
00:25:52,551 --> 00:25:53,251
State Department

1071
00:25:53,251 --> 00:25:54,719
of Transportation, Northwest

1072
00:25:54,719 --> 00:25:55,654
region Maintenance

1073
00:25:55,654 --> 00:25:57,122
Communications lead,

1074
00:25:57,122 --> 00:25:58,423
James Poling.

1075
00:25:58,423 --> 00:25:58,857
And we thought

1076
00:25:58,857 --> 00:25:59,724
it very appropriate

1077
00:25:59,724 --> 00:26:00,325
being one of our

1078
00:26:00,325 --> 00:26:02,260
strongest partners in this work

1079
00:26:02,260 --> 00:26:03,428
here to say a few words.

1080
00:26:03,428 --> 00:26:04,429
So I invite James

1081
00:26:04,429 --> 00:26:06,298
to the microphone.

1082
00:26:06,298 --> 00:26:08,700
Thank you

1083
00:26:09,501 --> 00:26:11,603
[JAMES POLING] Good afternoon.

1084
00:26:11,603 --> 00:26:11,970
Thank you.

1085
00:26:11,970 --> 00:26:13,438
To the city for inviting WSDOT

1086
00:26:13,438 --> 00:26:14,339
out to speak today.

1087
00:26:15,574 --> 00:26:16,841
My name is James Poling

1088
00:26:16,841 --> 00:26:17,676
I am the assistant

1089
00:26:17,676 --> 00:26:18,777
communications manager

1090
00:26:18,777 --> 00:26:19,544
for the northwest

1091
00:26:19,544 --> 00:26:20,845
region of Wash Dot.

1092
00:26:20,845 --> 00:26:22,080
We have a very large region

1093
00:26:22,080 --> 00:26:22,847
Thank you.

1094
00:26:22,847 --> 00:26:24,516
We have a very large region

1095
00:26:24,516 --> 00:26:24,983
stretching

1096
00:26:24,983 --> 00:26:25,817
from the Canadian border

1097
00:26:25,817 --> 00:26:26,451
in Bellingham

1098
00:26:26,451 --> 00:26:27,452
all the way down to the Pierce

1099
00:26:27,452 --> 00:26:29,321
County line in Mount Rainier.

1100
00:26:29,321 --> 00:26:31,089
And Seattle is in King

1101
00:26:31,089 --> 00:26:31,856
County of the core

1102
00:26:31,856 --> 00:26:34,359
of our population centers.

1103
00:26:34,893 --> 00:26:36,361
Graffiti remains a tremendous

1104
00:26:36,361 --> 00:26:37,829
challenge, as the mayor noted,

1105
00:26:37,829 --> 00:26:39,431
as all the speakers have noted.

1106
00:26:39,431 --> 00:26:39,798
And that's

1107
00:26:39,798 --> 00:26:40,498
especially true

1108
00:26:40,498 --> 00:26:41,166
on our right away

1109
00:26:41,166 --> 00:26:42,801
in our roadways,

1110
00:26:42,801 --> 00:26:44,302
our bridge crews are

1111
00:26:44,302 --> 00:26:45,870
our primary

1112
00:26:45,870 --> 00:26:47,072
removers of graffiti.

1113
00:26:47,072 --> 00:26:48,940
However, our sign

1114
00:26:48,940 --> 00:26:50,008
and our tunnel crews

1115
00:26:50,008 --> 00:26:51,276
handle their respective areas

1116
00:26:51,276 --> 00:26:52,777
and specialties.

1117
00:26:52,844 --> 00:26:53,511
We have made

1118
00:26:53,511 --> 00:26:55,080
tremendous progress in the past

1119
00:26:55,080 --> 00:26:55,647
five years

1120
00:26:55,647 --> 00:26:56,815
in improving our efficiency

1121
00:26:56,815 --> 00:26:58,283
and removing graffiti.

1122
00:26:58,283 --> 00:26:59,351
Some examples of that

1123
00:26:59,351 --> 00:27:00,685
are partnering

1124
00:27:00,685 --> 00:27:01,653
with our contractors

1125
00:27:01,653 --> 00:27:02,587
on major projects

1126
00:27:02,587 --> 00:27:03,989
such as Revive I-5

1127
00:27:03,989 --> 00:27:06,291
or the Mega Project for 520

1128
00:27:06,625 --> 00:27:07,592
and having them remove

1129
00:27:07,592 --> 00:27:09,060
graffiti during these closures

1130
00:27:09,060 --> 00:27:10,562
during their work

1131
00:27:10,562 --> 00:27:12,263
adjacent to these areas.

1132
00:27:12,263 --> 00:27:13,098
We've also become

1133
00:27:13,098 --> 00:27:13,798
more efficient

1134
00:27:13,798 --> 00:27:15,834
at treating tunnel graffiti

1135
00:27:15,834 --> 00:27:17,268
during our maintenance time

1136
00:27:17,268 --> 00:27:19,137
and closures that happen

1137
00:27:19,137 --> 00:27:21,239
quarterly or so, such as I-90

1138
00:27:21,272 --> 00:27:22,641
here in the city.

1139
00:27:22,841 --> 00:27:23,575
The challenges

1140
00:27:23,575 --> 00:27:24,409
that remain

1141
00:27:24,409 --> 00:27:25,377
are just the sheer

1142
00:27:25,377 --> 00:27:27,879
amount of volume of graffiti.

1143
00:27:27,879 --> 00:27:28,580
One challenge

1144
00:27:28,580 --> 00:27:29,714
our crews have had

1145
00:27:29,714 --> 00:27:30,815
and that revive

1146
00:27:30,815 --> 00:27:31,716
I-5 area

1147
00:27:31,716 --> 00:27:32,851
is that we've painted

1148
00:27:32,851 --> 00:27:33,985
over the same locations

1149
00:27:33,985 --> 00:27:36,388
up to seven times this summer.

1150
00:27:36,388 --> 00:27:37,555
It's very repetitive,

1151
00:27:37,555 --> 00:27:38,523
but we continue to

1152
00:27:38,523 --> 00:27:39,624
treat these areas.

1153
00:27:41,059 --> 00:27:42,093
Specialized equipment

1154
00:27:42,093 --> 00:27:44,496
is a major challenge for us

1155
00:27:44,496 --> 00:27:46,631
have take safety risks

1156
00:27:46,731 --> 00:27:49,134
that our crews will not take.

1157
00:27:49,367 --> 00:27:51,636
It's unsafe for them to take

1158
00:27:51,636 --> 00:27:53,838
to paint what they do

1159
00:27:53,838 --> 00:27:55,507
and tag what they do.

1160
00:27:55,507 --> 00:27:56,675
But it also requires us

1161
00:27:56,675 --> 00:27:58,443
to get specialized equipment

1162
00:27:58,443 --> 00:27:59,911
to reach these areas

1163
00:27:59,911 --> 00:28:00,578
and also

1164
00:28:00,578 --> 00:28:01,579
requires potential

1165
00:28:01,579 --> 00:28:02,380
lane closures

1166
00:28:02,380 --> 00:28:02,881
and delays

1167
00:28:02,881 --> 00:28:04,549
to the traveling public.

1168
00:28:04,549 --> 00:28:06,551
We also have challenges

1169
00:28:06,551 --> 00:28:07,919
in tunnel paint,

1170
00:28:07,919 --> 00:28:09,220
which is reflective

1171
00:28:09,220 --> 00:28:10,255
to brighten the tunnel

1172
00:28:10,255 --> 00:28:11,056
and provide safety

1173
00:28:11,056 --> 00:28:12,290
to the traveling public.

1174
00:28:12,290 --> 00:28:13,324
When that needs repainting,

1175
00:28:13,324 --> 00:28:13,858
that requires

1176
00:28:13,858 --> 00:28:15,026
specialized paint as well,

1177
00:28:15,026 --> 00:28:15,293
which is

1178
00:28:15,293 --> 00:28:16,261
another great challenge

1179
00:28:16,261 --> 00:28:17,295
we face.

1180
00:28:17,629 --> 00:28:18,463
The last obstacle

1181
00:28:18,463 --> 00:28:19,164
we really face

1182
00:28:19,164 --> 00:28:19,564
right now

1183
00:28:19,564 --> 00:28:20,732
is our maintenance

1184
00:28:20,732 --> 00:28:21,766
crews are responsible

1185
00:28:21,766 --> 00:28:24,035
for taking care of the graffiti

1186
00:28:24,035 --> 00:28:26,371
and we have up to 100 vacancies

1187
00:28:26,371 --> 00:28:28,373
right now in staffing shortages

1188
00:28:28,373 --> 00:28:28,940
in maintenance.

1189
00:28:28,940 --> 00:28:29,908
Right now,

1190
00:28:30,241 --> 00:28:31,710
we're grateful for our crews

1191
00:28:31,710 --> 00:28:32,610
who are working around

1192
00:28:32,610 --> 00:28:34,979
the clock, doing a great job.

1193
00:28:34,979 --> 00:28:36,347
And we really

1194
00:28:36,347 --> 00:28:37,949
are recruiting hard right now.

1195
00:28:37,949 --> 00:28:39,451
We really need additional help

1196
00:28:39,451 --> 00:28:40,151
in that regard.

1197
00:28:40,151 --> 00:28:41,553
If anyone is interested

1198
00:28:41,553 --> 00:28:43,621
in a permanent position,

1199
00:28:44,189 --> 00:28:44,723
contributing

1200
00:28:44,723 --> 00:28:45,390
to their community,

1201
00:28:45,390 --> 00:28:46,591
contributing to their region,

1202
00:28:47,726 --> 00:28:48,426
I encourage you

1203
00:28:48,426 --> 00:28:49,561
look at these opportunities.

1204
00:28:49,561 --> 00:28:51,596
We are actively hiring

1205
00:28:51,596 --> 00:28:52,831
and really need assistance

1206
00:28:52,831 --> 00:28:53,965
in this matter.

1207
00:28:55,433 --> 00:28:56,801
I'm very grateful,

1208
00:28:56,801 --> 00:28:57,802
the whole agency's

1209
00:28:57,802 --> 00:28:59,204
grateful for our partnerships

1210
00:28:59,204 --> 00:29:00,238
with the city,

1211
00:29:00,238 --> 00:29:01,473
the community, volunteers

1212
00:29:01,473 --> 00:29:02,340
and organizations.

1213
00:29:02,340 --> 00:29:03,608
They do a tremendous job.

1214
00:29:03,608 --> 00:29:04,809
They are tremendous partners

1215
00:29:04,809 --> 00:29:05,677
and we're very grateful

1216
00:29:05,677 --> 00:29:06,478
for that.

1217
00:29:06,711 --> 00:29:07,979
And we remain aligned

1218
00:29:07,979 --> 00:29:08,913
in our mutual goal

1219
00:29:08,913 --> 00:29:09,414
of tackling

1220
00:29:09,414 --> 00:29:10,515
this challenge head on.

1221
00:29:10,515 --> 00:29:11,282
Thank you.

1222
00:29:11,316 --> 00:29:14,686
Thank you.

1223
00:29:14,686 --> 00:29:16,187
[MAYOR HARRELL] Thank you.

1224
00:29:16,187 --> 00:29:16,921
James,

1225
00:29:16,921 --> 00:29:18,223
your leadership is

1226
00:29:18,223 --> 00:29:19,324
paying dividends for us.

1227
00:29:19,324 --> 00:29:21,025
Thank you for your work.

1228
00:29:21,826 --> 00:29:23,595
And with that, will entertain

1229
00:29:23,595 --> 00:29:25,630
a few questions.

1230
00:29:26,164 --> 00:29:26,831
Yes.

1231
00:29:26,831 --> 00:29:28,433
Jamie, can you help me direct

1232
00:29:28,433 --> 00:29:30,034
questions, please?

1233
00:29:30,034 --> 00:29:32,070
[REPORTER] So, Mayor Harrell,

1234
00:29:32,070 --> 00:29:33,338
what evidence is there

1235
00:29:33,338 --> 00:29:34,939
that beautification actually

1236
00:29:34,939 --> 00:29:36,241
improve safety?

1237
00:29:36,241 --> 00:29:37,242
I'd imagine it's hard

1238
00:29:37,242 --> 00:29:39,210
to measure that correlation.

1239
00:29:39,210 --> 00:29:39,844
[MAYOR HARRELL] Yeah, I'll repeat.

1240
00:29:39,844 --> 00:29:40,745
The question is,

1241
00:29:40,745 --> 00:29:41,846
as I heard it,

1242
00:29:41,846 --> 00:29:43,782
what evidence is there that

1243
00:29:44,916 --> 00:29:46,651
graffiti removal improves

1244
00:29:46,651 --> 00:29:48,019
public safety?

1245
00:29:48,019 --> 00:29:48,620
Well, actually,

1246
00:29:48,620 --> 00:29:49,154
I think

1247
00:29:49,154 --> 00:29:49,988
everyone by now

1248
00:29:49,988 --> 00:29:50,922
is sort of familiar

1249
00:29:50,922 --> 00:29:52,757
with the broken window

1250
00:29:52,757 --> 00:29:53,558
syndrome,

1251
00:29:53,558 --> 00:29:56,027
that when you neglect an area

1252
00:29:56,027 --> 00:29:58,363
that often bad things happen

1253
00:29:58,930 --> 00:30:00,465
and you know,

1254
00:30:00,465 --> 00:30:02,567
we look sort of hard at certain

1255
00:30:02,567 --> 00:30:03,868
I think it was referred to

1256
00:30:03,868 --> 00:30:04,469
as a graffiti

1257
00:30:04,469 --> 00:30:05,336
hot zone in certain

1258
00:30:05,336 --> 00:30:06,805
areas that, again,

1259
00:30:06,805 --> 00:30:08,106
where there are less eyes

1260
00:30:08,106 --> 00:30:09,040
and less activity,

1261
00:30:09,040 --> 00:30:10,008
less commerce,

1262
00:30:10,008 --> 00:30:12,043
less police presence,

1263
00:30:12,043 --> 00:30:13,778
that it just again, bad

1264
00:30:13,778 --> 00:30:14,879
things happen.

1265
00:30:14,879 --> 00:30:17,248
So I'm not going to present you

1266
00:30:17,248 --> 00:30:17,582
from a

1267
00:30:17,582 --> 00:30:19,484
criminologist standpoint,

1268
00:30:19,484 --> 00:30:20,018
the data

1269
00:30:20,018 --> 00:30:21,319
that would suggest that.

1270
00:30:21,319 --> 00:30:22,020
But I would

1271
00:30:22,020 --> 00:30:22,620
suggest there's

1272
00:30:22,620 --> 00:30:23,988
a lot of theory out there

1273
00:30:23,988 --> 00:30:25,957
that when we neglect areas

1274
00:30:25,957 --> 00:30:27,358
and when the black people,

1275
00:30:27,358 --> 00:30:28,927
bad things happen

1276
00:30:28,927 --> 00:30:30,461
and I don't know if I need data

1277
00:30:30,461 --> 00:30:31,196
to suggest that.

1278
00:30:31,196 --> 00:30:31,896
I think we have

1279
00:30:31,896 --> 00:30:33,031
lived experience,

1280
00:30:33,031 --> 00:30:34,299
it would suggest that

1281
00:30:34,299 --> 00:30:35,099
and at some point

1282
00:30:35,099 --> 00:30:35,800
lived experience

1283
00:30:35,800 --> 00:30:37,235
would almost prevail over

1284
00:30:37,235 --> 00:30:38,269
hard data.

1285
00:30:38,269 --> 00:30:39,337
My lived experience

1286
00:30:39,337 --> 00:30:40,338
is that when areas

1287
00:30:40,338 --> 00:30:41,439
are neglected

1288
00:30:41,439 --> 00:30:45,343
again, bad things happen.

1289
00:30:45,343 --> 00:30:45,777
Yeah.

1290
00:30:45,844 --> 00:30:46,110
Mayor,

1291
00:30:46,110 --> 00:30:47,078
how does this address

1292
00:30:47,078 --> 00:30:47,879
the just

1293
00:30:47,879 --> 00:30:49,581
chronic every single day

1294
00:30:49,581 --> 00:30:51,182
tagging the same place?

1295
00:30:51,182 --> 00:30:51,783
Does this move

1296
00:30:51,783 --> 00:30:52,650
the needle on that?

1297
00:30:52,650 --> 00:30:53,718
And if so, how?

1298
00:30:53,718 --> 00:30:54,919
Yeah, it's a good question

1299
00:30:54,919 --> 00:30:56,788
about the every day tagging.

1300
00:30:56,788 --> 00:30:58,056
And I think James talked

1301
00:30:58,056 --> 00:30:59,390
about an area being

1302
00:31:00,792 --> 00:31:02,227
tagged seven times and

1303
00:31:02,227 --> 00:31:03,761
it's like a cycle.

1304
00:31:03,761 --> 00:31:04,629
And quite frankly,

1305
00:31:04,629 --> 00:31:04,896
that's

1306
00:31:04,896 --> 00:31:07,198
why this new unprecedented

1307
00:31:07,198 --> 00:31:09,367
approach tries to address that.

1308
00:31:09,901 --> 00:31:11,402
What compels a person

1309
00:31:11,402 --> 00:31:12,570
to do that over and over?

1310
00:31:12,570 --> 00:31:13,738
What statement are they making?

1311
00:31:13,738 --> 00:31:15,306
What who are these people?

1312
00:31:15,306 --> 00:31:16,875
And so in our

1313
00:31:17,342 --> 00:31:18,643
in looking at the law

1314
00:31:18,643 --> 00:31:19,744
and how we treat that,

1315
00:31:19,744 --> 00:31:20,912
we also want to look at

1316
00:31:20,912 --> 00:31:21,813
who the people are,

1317
00:31:21,813 --> 00:31:22,947
who the individuals are.

1318
00:31:22,947 --> 00:31:24,215
And under Royal L.A.

1319
00:31:24,215 --> 00:31:25,516
Barnes's leadership,

1320
00:31:25,516 --> 00:31:26,351
perhaps they do

1321
00:31:26,351 --> 00:31:29,187
want artistic expression.

1322
00:31:29,520 --> 00:31:30,421
So I think, you know, that

1323
00:31:30,421 --> 00:31:32,757
my approach to public safety is

1324
00:31:32,757 --> 00:31:33,391
I'm willing

1325
00:31:33,391 --> 00:31:34,492
to make the tough decisions,

1326
00:31:34,492 --> 00:31:35,260
but I also want to

1327
00:31:35,260 --> 00:31:35,927
understand why

1328
00:31:35,927 --> 00:31:37,929
people behave the way they do.

1329
00:31:37,929 --> 00:31:40,598
So, again, we want to stop

1330
00:31:40,798 --> 00:31:42,133
the abatement

1331
00:31:42,133 --> 00:31:43,868
graffiti, abatement graffiti.

1332
00:31:43,868 --> 00:31:44,636
We want to start

1333
00:31:44,636 --> 00:31:45,737
stop that cycle.

1334
00:31:45,737 --> 00:31:46,037
And that's

1335
00:31:46,037 --> 00:31:47,605
why we are implementing

1336
00:31:47,605 --> 00:31:49,140
this new holistic approach

1337
00:31:49,140 --> 00:31:50,942
to stop this sort of merry

1338
00:31:50,942 --> 00:31:52,911
go round on these issues.

1339
00:31:52,911 --> 00:31:54,913
And quite honestly,

1340
00:31:54,913 --> 00:31:55,346
we're eve

1341
00:31:55,346 --> 00:31:56,547
we even ask the questions in

1342
00:31:56,547 --> 00:31:58,249
drawing up the plan or what

1343
00:31:58,249 --> 00:31:58,950
what effect did

1344
00:31:58,950 --> 00:32:01,052
the pandemic have on people?

1345
00:32:01,052 --> 00:32:01,753
What kinds of

1346
00:32:01,753 --> 00:32:03,354
antisocial behavior

1347
00:32:03,354 --> 00:32:04,689
are occurring in other cities

1348
00:32:04,689 --> 00:32:05,657
and throughout this country

1349
00:32:05,657 --> 00:32:07,292
because of the pandemic?

1350
00:32:07,292 --> 00:32:07,759
So we're trying

1351
00:32:07,759 --> 00:32:08,459
to better understand

1352
00:32:08,459 --> 00:32:09,227
the cycle,

1353
00:32:09,227 --> 00:32:10,128
the psychology

1354
00:32:10,128 --> 00:32:11,763
behind this activity,

1355
00:32:11,763 --> 00:32:12,297
to make sure

1356
00:32:12,297 --> 00:32:12,830
that we're treating

1357
00:32:12,830 --> 00:32:13,631
all people fairly

1358
00:32:13,631 --> 00:32:14,899
and constitutionally.

1359
00:32:14,899 --> 00:32:15,934
Well, we don't want that

1360
00:32:17,035 --> 00:32:18,603
that circular process, and

1361
00:32:18,603 --> 00:32:19,404
we think this approach

1362
00:32:19,404 --> 00:32:23,708
will help us in that regard.

1363
00:32:23,708 --> 00:32:26,010
[REPORTER] I was hoping

1364
00:32:26,010 --> 00:32:26,911
that you might be able

1365
00:32:26,911 --> 00:32:28,112
to help define

1366
00:32:28,112 --> 00:32:28,947
the differences

1367
00:32:28,947 --> 00:32:31,683
between graffiti art

1368
00:32:31,983 --> 00:32:34,152
and vandalism, say.

1369
00:32:38,089 --> 00:32:38,656
The differences

1370
00:32:38,656 --> 00:32:41,225
between graffiti art vandalism.

1371
00:32:41,459 --> 00:32:42,393
[MAYOR HARRELL] So that

1372
00:32:42,393 --> 00:32:43,361
I repeat the question

1373
00:32:43,361 --> 00:32:44,295
to you tonight in responding to

1374
00:32:44,295 --> 00:32:46,130
I think the question was

1375
00:32:46,130 --> 00:32:48,633
a definition of

1376
00:32:49,334 --> 00:32:51,936
a definition of graffiti,

1377
00:32:52,036 --> 00:32:53,271
art and vandalism.

1378
00:32:53,271 --> 00:32:55,006
The distinction.

1379
00:32:55,640 --> 00:32:55,940
Well, that's

1380
00:32:55,940 --> 00:32:56,507
not exactly

1381
00:32:56,507 --> 00:32:57,375
in my speaking notes,

1382
00:32:57,375 --> 00:32:58,309
so let me wing it

1383
00:32:58,309 --> 00:33:00,511
so someone can cringe when I

1384
00:33:01,245 --> 00:33:02,580
say this.

1385
00:33:03,648 --> 00:33:04,682
Art

1386
00:33:07,885 --> 00:33:09,220
is to me.

1387
00:33:09,220 --> 00:33:10,755
I might pass on that question

1388
00:33:10,755 --> 00:33:12,657
because art, as we all

1389
00:33:12,657 --> 00:33:12,857
know,

1390
00:33:12,857 --> 00:33:13,891
is in the eye of the beholder.

1391
00:33:13,891 --> 00:33:14,459
Right.

1392
00:33:14,492 --> 00:33:16,494
So you may see

1393
00:33:16,694 --> 00:33:19,097
vandalism and graffiti

1394
00:33:19,097 --> 00:33:20,064
or vandalism in art

1395
00:33:20,064 --> 00:33:20,531
that may see

1396
00:33:20,531 --> 00:33:22,233
something differently.

1397
00:33:22,233 --> 00:33:23,401
So let me say what we can

1398
00:33:23,401 --> 00:33:24,002
all agree on.

1399
00:33:24,002 --> 00:33:25,269
There's hate speech out there

1400
00:33:26,671 --> 00:33:27,438
that is not art.

1401
00:33:27,438 --> 00:33:28,539
That is hate speech.

1402
00:33:28,539 --> 00:33:29,340
And that

1403
00:33:29,474 --> 00:33:31,776
that is that is unlawful.

1404
00:33:31,776 --> 00:33:32,143
So we're

1405
00:33:32,143 --> 00:33:33,945
certainly going after that.

1406
00:33:33,945 --> 00:33:34,946
We also believe,

1407
00:33:34,946 --> 00:33:36,414
however, I have seen

1408
00:33:36,414 --> 00:33:37,782
what some may call graffiti

1409
00:33:37,782 --> 00:33:38,716
that actually looks

1410
00:33:38,716 --> 00:33:40,485
really nice.

1411
00:33:40,485 --> 00:33:41,919
And the question becomes

1412
00:33:41,919 --> 00:33:42,787
perhaps with

1413
00:33:42,787 --> 00:33:43,921
the state's approval,

1414
00:33:43,921 --> 00:33:46,124
are there areas in this city

1415
00:33:46,357 --> 00:33:48,693
where we can have art?

1416
00:33:48,693 --> 00:33:49,260
And we know

1417
00:33:49,260 --> 00:33:51,062
firsthand that we've had areas

1418
00:33:51,062 --> 00:33:51,596
where say, here's

1419
00:33:51,596 --> 00:33:53,297
a beautiful canvas.

1420
00:33:53,297 --> 00:33:54,465
So what we're trying to do

1421
00:33:54,465 --> 00:33:57,335
is say, let's encourage art.

1422
00:33:57,335 --> 00:33:58,236
But I will tell you,

1423
00:33:58,236 --> 00:34:00,271
if you own a restaurant,

1424
00:34:00,271 --> 00:34:01,773
you own a small business,

1425
00:34:01,773 --> 00:34:02,907
and you come back

1426
00:34:02,907 --> 00:34:04,108
and you walls are all sprayed

1427
00:34:04,108 --> 00:34:05,643
with something you do not want.

1428
00:34:05,643 --> 00:34:06,577
That is not art,

1429
00:34:06,577 --> 00:34:08,212
that is graffiti.

1430
00:34:08,379 --> 00:34:10,081
So I think that this issue,

1431
00:34:10,081 --> 00:34:10,915
this distinction

1432
00:34:10,915 --> 00:34:12,417
will resolve itself.

1433
00:34:12,417 --> 00:34:13,718
What's most important,

1434
00:34:13,718 --> 00:34:16,020
at least for me as the mayor,

1435
00:34:16,020 --> 00:34:17,388
is to stop the hate speech,

1436
00:34:18,656 --> 00:34:19,791
to stop

1437
00:34:19,791 --> 00:34:22,460
our signage destruction,

1438
00:34:22,460 --> 00:34:24,562
to help small businesses

1439
00:34:24,562 --> 00:34:26,130
remedy that

1440
00:34:26,130 --> 00:34:26,764
that they don't

1441
00:34:26,764 --> 00:34:29,367
want on their property.

1442
00:34:29,367 --> 00:34:31,569
And then we can debate perhaps

1443
00:34:31,569 --> 00:34:32,670
whether something is art

1444
00:34:32,670 --> 00:34:33,571
or graffiti.

1445
00:34:33,571 --> 00:34:34,372
But I think that issue

1446
00:34:34,372 --> 00:34:36,240
will resolve itself.

1447
00:34:39,911 --> 00:34:43,781
[REPORTER] How can you work

1448
00:34:43,781 --> 00:34:44,882
with the Office of Arts

1449
00:34:44,882 --> 00:34:45,516
and Culture

1450
00:34:45,516 --> 00:34:46,751
to get some of these

1451
00:34:46,751 --> 00:34:48,219
graffiti artists

1452
00:34:48,219 --> 00:34:50,521
to become our next muralist?

1453
00:34:50,521 --> 00:34:51,389
[MAYOR HARRELL] I think the question is,

1454
00:34:51,389 --> 00:34:52,590
how can I work

1455
00:34:52,590 --> 00:34:53,925
with the arts of culture

1456
00:34:53,925 --> 00:34:55,726
to get some of these graffiti,

1457
00:34:55,726 --> 00:34:56,661
these people committing

1458
00:34:56,661 --> 00:34:57,428
acts of graffiti

1459
00:34:57,428 --> 00:34:59,363
to become our next artists?

1460
00:34:59,363 --> 00:34:59,764
Well, there

1461
00:34:59,764 --> 00:35:00,598
that's a good question.

1462
00:35:00,598 --> 00:35:01,766
So there therein lies

1463
00:35:01,766 --> 00:35:03,234
the work we're doing.

1464
00:35:03,234 --> 00:35:04,135
I don't think anyone's

1465
00:35:04,135 --> 00:35:05,069
really approached it

1466
00:35:05,069 --> 00:35:06,370
from that standpoint.

1467
00:35:06,370 --> 00:35:07,305
And so,

1468
00:35:07,305 --> 00:35:08,072
quite frankly,

1469
00:35:08,072 --> 00:35:09,140
there are recent articles

1470
00:35:09,140 --> 00:35:11,175
written about the typical

1471
00:35:11,175 --> 00:35:12,243
profile of someone

1472
00:35:12,243 --> 00:35:13,144
doing this kind of work

1473
00:35:13,144 --> 00:35:14,045
that it was.

1474
00:35:14,045 --> 00:35:14,312
There were

1475
00:35:14,312 --> 00:35:16,180
some gender descriptions

1476
00:35:16,180 --> 00:35:17,915
and an age description.

1477
00:35:17,915 --> 00:35:18,649
Well,

1478
00:35:18,716 --> 00:35:19,450
we know one side

1479
00:35:19,450 --> 00:35:20,551
doesn't fit all

1480
00:35:20,551 --> 00:35:21,552
part of our work.

1481
00:35:21,552 --> 00:35:22,220
We'll be going

1482
00:35:22,220 --> 00:35:23,588
into the community,

1483
00:35:23,588 --> 00:35:24,122
if you will,

1484
00:35:24,122 --> 00:35:25,656
understanding their culture,

1485
00:35:25,656 --> 00:35:26,824
having a dialog.

1486
00:35:28,559 --> 00:35:29,460
I trust that

1487
00:35:29,460 --> 00:35:30,128
many people

1488
00:35:30,128 --> 00:35:32,463
doing this act and I don't.

1489
00:35:32,630 --> 00:35:33,965
One of these strategies

1490
00:35:33,965 --> 00:35:35,399
we're openly talking about

1491
00:35:35,399 --> 00:35:37,335
is to try to have a dialog

1492
00:35:37,335 --> 00:35:38,336
with those doing the work.

1493
00:35:38,336 --> 00:35:40,271
Now, why are you doing this?

1494
00:35:40,271 --> 00:35:41,239
What are you attempting to

1495
00:35:41,239 --> 00:35:42,306
convey?

1496
00:35:43,241 --> 00:35:44,242
So that's going to be

1497
00:35:44,242 --> 00:35:45,343
the ongoing work

1498
00:35:45,343 --> 00:35:46,477
and I want those.

1499
00:35:46,477 --> 00:35:47,845
I'm sure the

1500
00:35:47,845 --> 00:35:48,079
you know,

1501
00:35:48,079 --> 00:35:49,080
there's social media

1502
00:35:49,080 --> 00:35:49,480
and there's

1503
00:35:49,480 --> 00:35:50,515
communities of people

1504
00:35:50,515 --> 00:35:51,215
that are doing

1505
00:35:51,215 --> 00:35:52,383
acts of graffiti.

1506
00:35:52,383 --> 00:35:53,317
And we want to establish

1507
00:35:53,317 --> 00:35:54,018
a partnership.

1508
00:35:54,018 --> 00:35:55,820
And we're asking our director

1509
00:35:55,820 --> 00:35:56,621
role alley bars

1510
00:35:56,621 --> 00:35:58,256
to establish this partnership

1511
00:35:58,256 --> 00:35:58,689
with them.

1512
00:35:58,689 --> 00:36:01,192
Because if done right,

1513
00:36:01,192 --> 00:36:02,193
if done right,

1514
00:36:02,193 --> 00:36:03,127
if done right,

1515
00:36:03,127 --> 00:36:04,595
you guys catch that.

1516
00:36:04,595 --> 00:36:06,497
Okay. All right.

1517
00:36:06,497 --> 00:36:07,465
See that?

1518
00:36:07,765 --> 00:36:08,399
They're honking

1519
00:36:08,399 --> 00:36:09,300
because they want this

1520
00:36:09,300 --> 00:36:13,404
graffiti start strategy work.

1521
00:36:13,404 --> 00:36:13,604
What?

1522
00:36:13,604 --> 00:36:14,972
We want to have this dialog

1523
00:36:14,972 --> 00:36:16,574
because if we do this work

1524
00:36:16,574 --> 00:36:17,575
right,

1525
00:36:17,575 --> 00:36:19,977
we can beautify this city.

1526
00:36:19,977 --> 00:36:20,378
I'll give you

1527
00:36:20,378 --> 00:36:21,546
a specific example

1528
00:36:21,546 --> 00:36:25,950
and I'm clearly off script.

1529
00:36:25,950 --> 00:36:27,285
Perhaps there are some Native

1530
00:36:27,285 --> 00:36:28,686
American art in certain areas

1531
00:36:28,686 --> 00:36:29,554
that we could talk about

1532
00:36:29,554 --> 00:36:31,822
the indigenous culture, right?

1533
00:36:32,089 --> 00:36:32,690
Perhaps there's

1534
00:36:32,690 --> 00:36:34,058
some cultural art

1535
00:36:34,058 --> 00:36:34,926
in certain areas

1536
00:36:34,926 --> 00:36:35,560
where they're trying

1537
00:36:35,560 --> 00:36:36,861
to keep their culture

1538
00:36:36,861 --> 00:36:37,728
and preserve it

1539
00:36:37,728 --> 00:36:38,696
and we could beautify

1540
00:36:38,696 --> 00:36:39,330
that area.

1541
00:36:39,330 --> 00:36:40,097
That's the work

1542
00:36:40,097 --> 00:36:40,831
we're going to do.

1543
00:36:40,831 --> 00:36:41,465
In addition

1544
00:36:41,465 --> 00:36:43,034
to abatement and enforcement.

1545
00:36:43,034 --> 00:36:44,101
So we have a great

1546
00:36:44,101 --> 00:36:44,902
opportunity here

1547
00:36:44,902 --> 00:36:46,270
and this approach is a

1548
00:36:46,270 --> 00:36:47,939
one sided approach

1549
00:36:47,939 --> 00:36:48,639
and we'll get to know

1550
00:36:48,639 --> 00:36:49,941
the graffiti community,

1551
00:36:49,941 --> 00:36:50,341
probably

1552
00:36:50,341 --> 00:36:51,075
unlike any

1553
00:36:51,075 --> 00:36:52,143
other administrations,

1554
00:36:52,143 --> 00:36:52,977
have known them before.

1555
00:36:53,911 --> 00:36:55,479
Last one.

1556
00:36:55,479 --> 00:36:57,515
[REPROTER] So we're buying it.

1557
00:36:57,515 --> 00:36:57,982
Was it

1558
00:36:57,982 --> 00:37:01,252
$950,000 spent on abatement

1559
00:37:01,852 --> 00:37:04,155
last year or moving forward?

1560
00:37:04,155 --> 00:37:06,357
[MAYOR HARRELL] Yeah, that $950,000

1561
00:37:06,457 --> 00:37:07,358
that I described

1562
00:37:07,358 --> 00:37:09,060
was what's in the budget now

1563
00:37:09,060 --> 00:37:09,994
that the city council

1564
00:37:09,994 --> 00:37:10,361
are now

1565
00:37:10,361 --> 00:37:12,430
examining, in addition to,

1566
00:37:12,430 --> 00:37:14,465
I think approximately

1567
00:37:14,465 --> 00:37:15,600
3 million or so

1568
00:37:15,600 --> 00:37:16,601
that was embedded

1569
00:37:16,601 --> 00:37:17,168
in the budget.

1570
00:37:17,168 --> 00:37:18,936
So it's new funds

1571
00:37:18,936 --> 00:37:20,605
to implement the strategy

1572
00:37:20,605 --> 00:37:22,006
that I'm describing today.

1573
00:37:22,006 --> 00:37:22,273
Okay.

1574
00:37:22,273 --> 00:37:25,509
So that.

1575
00:37:25,509 --> 00:37:27,878
Yeah, yeah.

1576
00:37:27,878 --> 00:37:28,546
All right.

1577
00:37:28,879 --> 00:37:29,513
Thanks very much.

1578
00:37:29,513 --> 00:37:30,314
Thank you for being here.

1579
00:37:30,314 --> 00:37:31,749
One Seattle.