Councilmember Rivera submits budget proposal to fund real gun violence prevention strategy for Seattle
National Network for Safe Communities recognized for effective, evidence-based approach
Today Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) announced that she has submitted a budget action that would set aside $418,000 to pay for a two-year contract with the National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC) to implement their focused deterrence gun violence reduction strategy in Seattle. Under the results-driven strategy, NNSC will facilitate an analysis of gun violence dynamics in Seattle, unite law enforcement, social services and community organizations, and provide ongoing strategic guidance and an evaluation of the results after two years.
“When implemented with fidelity, the focused deterrence strategy as designed by NNSC has resulted in significant reductions in gun violence in cities like Philadelphia, Boston, and Baltimore,” said Councilmember Rivera. “A year ago, I began researching effective gun violence reduction strategies and from that research and conversations with experts in this field, I identified the NNSC’s focused deterrence strategy as an effort to try here in Seattle. Now I’m taking the additional step of trying to fund it because we need a real gun violence prevention plan here in Seattle.”
NNSC research shows that a small fraction of a city’s population is responsible for most gun violence. Their focused deterrence approach brings together law enforcement, local services, and community members to deliver a clear message to these small number of individuals: the violence must stop, support is available if you want help, but if you refuse services and continue engaging in gun violence, swift, consequential action will be taken.
“I have a proposal from NNSC for this work. They can start as soon as we sign a contract. And with my budget action, the mayor has everything she needs to move forward with this focused deterrence model of gun violence intervention. So once again, I am calling upon Mayor Wilson to implement a true focused deterrence strategy that is an all-hands-on-deck approach — including the police — to reducing gun violence in Seattle. I look forward to working with my colleagues and incorporating this relatively inexpensive proposal into the budget,” said Councilmember Rivera.
Background
Today’s announcement follows months of work by Councilmember Rivera to encourage Mayor Wilson and city leadership to adopt the National Network for Safe Communities approach. In June, she convened a regional symposium to brief officials on the NNSC partnership and its focused deterrence strategy, leading to the council passing a resolution on Sept. 15, formally urging the mayor to enter into a contract with NNSC.
Previous City Auditor reports highlighted focused deterrence as an evidence-based strategy for reducing gun violence, noting that Seattle had yet to adopt it. Following a series of high-profile shootings this summer, the mayor’s current public safety plan largely maintains the same investments made by prior administrations.
The proposed NNSC partnership would add a one-time cost of roughly $418,000 over a two-year period — a modest addition given that Seattle spends $51 million on community safety and violence prevention alone.
Next Steps
The City Council is currently in the middle of the 2027-28 budget process. Councilmember Rivera’s proposal will be discussed during a series of briefings that will take place beginning on Oct. 27. Members of the public are encouraged to voice their support, including at the next public hearing on Nov. 5.
A full list of public comment opportunities including an overview of the budget process is available on the City Council webpage.
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