Amid new police cameras and catenary lights, Capitol Hill Stay Out of Drug Area now leads the city in banishment orders

City Attorney Ann Davison claims the Capitol Hill “Stay Out of Drug Area” (SODA) zones are working, as they currently hold 41 banishment orders, surpassing the downtown area, which has 26. Davison emphasized that the program's goal is to disrupt open-air drug markets and reported that violations appear to be infrequent. Her opponent, Erika Evans, criticized the program in a candidate questionnaire, stating that SODA zones merely displace individuals in crisis without addressing root problems. The SODA initiative faced initial challenges in implementation but is now fully utilized by the Seattle Police Department. Under the legislation, judges can bar offenders from reentering designated areas for up to two years, with violations classified as gross misdemeanors.

This approach includes zones in Capitol Hill, the International District, and other neighborhoods, aimed at combatting drug and prostitution-related crimes. District 3 representative Joy Hollingsworth has advocated for these zones, linking them to broader community safety investments. The Capitol Hill SODA is part of a strategy to revitalize local neighborhoods and address issues of crime and homelessness effectively.