Kent City Council discusses public safety, welcomes new police officers and shares concerns about rising gun violence

The July 16, 2024 Kent City Council meeting covered public safety initiatives and community engagement opportunities.

A central focus of the meeting was the upcoming National Night Out, an annual event aimed at fostering stronger neighborhood relationships and promoting public safety.

The meeting also included the swearing-in of new police officers and an overview of the city’s 4th of July celebration.

Additionally, Mayor Dana Ralph expressed concerns about rising gun violence and the need for increased accountability.

National Night Out

Mayor Ralph read a proclamation in recognition of National Night Out (NNO) which this year falls on Tuesday August 6th. Kent currently has 45 neighborhood groups signed up to participate in this annual public safety event, and expect many more groups to register before the July 30th deadline. To register your own neighborhood group, follow the link on this page, which also has more information about the event.

During National Night Out, teams made up of people from Public Works, Parks & Rec, Kent Police, as well as city council members will visit each neighborhood and discuss public safety concerns with residents. The night is also a celebration, often with potlucks and other entertainment, where residents can get to know each other and help create a stronger neighborhood together. Mayor Ralph said this night is one of the highlights of the year. She mentioned that the city council meeting on August 6th will begin at 5 p.m. in order to allow council members to attend NNO events.

Public Safety Report

During a brief public safety report, three new officers were sworn in to the Kent Police Department. In addition, Chief Rafael Padilla reported that the city’s 4th of July Splash event was extremely successful, with an estimated attendance of well over 10,000 people. He noted that parking in the neighborhood around Lake Meridian Park remained an issue, despite the shuttle buses provided by the city. Extra police were on hand to maintain safety during the family-friendly event, and he was pleased with how it turned out.

For a chance to chat with officers while enjoying a free coffee, Chief Padilla looks forward to meeting with the public at Coffee With The Chief on July 18. This event will take place at the Starbucks on 224th and 84th, from 8 – 10 a.m.

Mayor’s Report

Mayor Dana Ralph mentioned a recent meeting with mayors from neighboring cities, where they discussed the issue of increasing gun violence. Ralph said she was in agreement with others she spoke with that accountability needs to be emphasized. She said that in recent years accountability has been taken out of the equation, leaving just crime prevention and intervention. While she reiterated that those are both important, she finds the lack of accountability for violent crimes is perpetuating the problem.

Parks & Recreation Seeks Commissioners

The Parks & Recreation Commission has four vacancies waiting to be filled by volunteers who want to be involved in the community, specifically protecting and advocating for city parks and recreation programs. Check out this page for more information and a link to apply.