Seattle Police says will pause directed patrols at Denny Blaine, OPA investigating UPDATE

The Seattle Police Department has paused its directed patrols at Denny Blaine Park following significant public backlash regarding enforcement of nudity laws. Mayor Bruce Harrell stated that the city recognizes the right to use the park nude under state law, highlighting the importance of community engagement in handling the situation. The police's actions stemmed from a lawsuit filed by local residents addressing concerns over public indecency, including incidents of public sex and drug use. City council member Joy Hollingsworth has been actively communicating with various stakeholders to ensure a thoughtful approach moving forward. Friends of Denny Blaine, a community group, is organizing a Bystander Intervention Training day to teach participants how to safely address public indecency.

This training is scheduled for May 18th and aims to empower park supporters to de-escalate situations effectively. The ongoing dialogue reflects broader societal tensions about public space usage and community standards. The incident has also been referred to the Office of Police Accountability, indicating potential scrutiny of police actions.