In the Sunday, June 2, 2024, edition of the Seattle Times, a letter penned by WR Board Member and local Seattle business owners Blake & Krystal Garfield was featured, expressing gratitude for Mayor Bruce Harrell’s leadership in addressing public safety concerns in Seattle. Here is their letter:
As local business owners that are active in the Washington Retail Association, we are incredibly grateful for the leadership Mayor Bruce Harrell is showing. His efforts to address public safety, ongoing property damage and vandalism are making a meaningful difference. Seattle is not alone in facing the challenges of crime, homelessness, police shortages and other issues that impact the safety of workers, visitors and businesses both in downtown and the surrounding communities like ours (in the Wallingford neighborhood).
The public safety forums recently held by the Mayor across the city have been well received by businesses and community members alike. All of us want to continue to be part of Seattle and foster a comfortable and safe place to shop.
We want to celebrate the successes that Mayor Harrell’s on-the-ground outreach is delivering. This community engagement will go a long way in shaping policies that address the challenges we face. And, it opens the door to communication to find solutions that harness opportunities that make our communities safer and ensure a vibrant and thriving economy and city.
Sincerely,
Blake & Krystal Garfield
Bedrooms & More
