Crime & Safety

Citizens rise up, force lawmakers to listen in historic session

Citizens rise up, force lawmakers to listen in historic session

The 2024 Washington state legislative session, which concluded last Thursday, marked a pivotal shift in the balance of power between the people and their elected officials. Emboldened by rising costs of living and concerns for public safety, Washingtonians rose up like never before to serve as a formidable check on lawmakers. They made it abundantly...

Victory! Three voter initiatives to become law in Washington

Victory! Three voter initiatives to become law in Washington

A momentous achievement has been secured for the people of Washington. After tireless advocacy from everyday Washingtonians, three of the six initiatives before the state legislature have officially passed both chambers and will soon become law.   The Police Pursuit, Income Tax Prohibition, and Parental Notification initiatives cleared their final hurdles on March 4 when...

Three initiatives granted hearings and looming concerns about selective action

Three initiatives granted hearings and looming concerns about selective action

Washington lawmakers have heeded the calls from citizens and have scheduled hearings next week for three out of the six initiatives that are before the state legislature including: the prohibition of state and local income tax, rolling back restrictions on police pursuit, and instituting parental notification laws. If we convince our lawmakers to pass these...

Olympia updates: Critical legislation on fentanyl, natural gas ban, rent control

Olympia updates: Critical legislation on fentanyl, natural gas ban, rent control

With such an action-packed legislative session heading into its final two weeks, it can be difficult to keep track of all the bills being considered. Besides the six initiatives before the legislature, here are 4 bills you should know about. 1. SB 5010: Includes fentanyl and synthetic opioids felony child endangerment statute. As the number...

Rally: Demand Democrat legislators stop delaying democracy on voter initiatives

Rally: Demand Democrat legislators stop delaying democracy on voter initiatives

WHEN: WEDNESDAY, January 31, 2024, at 3:30PM WHERE: CAPITOL STEPS, North/Supreme Court Side WHO:   Undivided Host Brandi Kruse and WA GOP Chair Jim Walsh will be featured speakers, joining Future 42 and grassroots activists from the Steelhead Alliance WHY: Our state’s Democratic lawmakers are failing to uphold constitutional mandates by obstructing the consideration of voter-backed...

Washington Democrats delaying democracy on voter initiatives

Washington Democrats delaying democracy on voter initiatives

The Washington Constitution is clear: State lawmakers must prioritize ballot initiatives championed by voters. But Democratic state lawmakers are refusing to play by the rules. Not one of the three certified initiatives before the legislature has been granted a hearing.

[un]Divided: We Heart Seattle encourages voters to choose ‘compassionate, sensible’ leaders

[un]Divided: We Heart Seattle encourages voters to choose ‘compassionate, sensible’ leaders

Andrea Suarez, who founded the citizen-led nonprofit “We Heart Seattle,” joined unDivided with Brandi Kruse to discuss their effort to get out the vote ahead of next month’s election. Suarez is encouraging Seattleites to vote for candidates who will prioritize public safety and real solutions to the homeless crisis. 

[un]Divided: Hard truths are needed to end crime crisis

[un]Divided: Hard truths are needed to end crime crisis

As our state experiences breakdowns across the criminal justice system, it will take politicians and members of the press acknowledging hard truths before we can start digging our communities out of the crime crisis. Brandi Kruse has more on the unDivided Podcast.

By Brandi Kruse

[un]Divided: Judge lets car thief go after crash, chase

[un]Divided: Judge lets car thief go after crash, chase

Even after restrictions on police pursuits were loosened, there are still roadblocks when it comes to accountability for criminals. Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders joined Brandi Kruse on the unDivided Podcast to discuss the release of a car thief who took deputies on a high speed chase after committing a hit-and-run.

By Brandi Kruse

[un]Divided: New state drug law takes effect – Seattle still can’t enforce it

[un]Divided: New state drug law takes effect – Seattle still can’t enforce it

Despite having ample time, the Seattle City Council has failed to adopt a common sense proposal that would give City Attorney Ann Davison power to prosecute drug cases. As Brandi Kruse explains on the unDivided Podcast, that means Seattle will be unable to enforce a new state law making drug possession a gross misdemeanor.

By Brandi Kruse