Chief Shon Barnes’ first Year in Review address touting dropping crime rates could be considered unfortunate, coming in the aftermath of recent multiple homicides in the city.
Two Rainier Beach High School students were killed at a bus stop on Friday, and another man was killed in a separate shooting in Pioneer Square early Sunday.
“This is not a victory lap,” Barnes said, after acknowledging the killings, from the Northwest African American Museum on Monday. “This is the first lap in a long marathon toward public safety.”
The recent violence didn’t stop the chief from noting positive year-end 2025 crime data in the Emerald City and plans for the upcoming year.
“And although we understand that no amount of crime in our city is ever acceptable, we are proud to report that in 2025 we saw an 18% overall reduction in crime citywide,” Barnes said.
Seattle experienced 37 homicides in 2025, which is 36% fewer than the 58 people killed in 2024. This is the lowest level of homicides since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year, SPD solved 86% of those homicide cases.
“That means SPD brought some measure of closure to 32 of 37 families affected by a tragic homicide,” Barnes said.
The 86% clearance rate also represents a substantial improvement over the department’s 2024 clearance rate of 57% and surpasses the 61% national average.
SPD data shows a decrease in both violent incidents and injuries, with an 8% reduction in aggravated assaults and a 36% drop in victims struck by gunfire.
In 2025, stolen vehicle incidents decreased by 24%, resulting in 1,821 fewer victims than the previous year.
Burglaries decreased by 18% last year, translating into 1,571 fewer victims.
SPD hired 167 officers in 2025, a net increase of 94 officers.
The department saw the fewest number of officer separations since 2016, “with only 62 officers leaving our department,” Barnes said.
The chief attributed the improved crime statistics to greater collaboration among patrol, detectives and the new Real-Time Crime Center. The RTCC assisted in 45% of homicide cases within months of launching, the chief said. This collaborative approach, which integrates technology, field intelligence and investigative support, aims to improve public safety and community trust.
The community played a major role, too, Barnes pointed out.
“Our ability to solve 86% of last year’s homicide cases suggests we are improving in the most important category of all: community trust,” he said.
Sisterhood, Strength, and a State Title for Lincoln High School
When the final scores were announced at the State Cheer Championships, the Lincoln High School cheerleaders stood together, breath held, hands linked. Months of early
Laura Marie Rivera
mornings, late nights, bruises, setbacks, and perseverance came down to this moment. Then came the result: State Champions.
For only the second time in school history, Lincoln High School qualified for state competition—and this time, they returned home with the ultimate prize. The Traditional competition team placed first, earning the state title, while the Gameday team secured an impressive fourth place finish. The championships were held at Battle Ground High School, where teams from across Washington gathered after qualifying through high scores at regular-season competitions.
For senior Libby Campbell, a Queen Anne resident and
leader on the team, the win represented far more than a trophy.
“I joined the LHS cheer team my junior year,” she said. “I’ve cheered sideline for football, basketball, volleyball, unified sports—and competed on both the Gameday and Traditional teams. Being on cheer has brought me a strong community that always has my back.”
The road there was anything but easy. The team practiced nearly every day of the week, often cheering for basketball games after long competition
“The road there was anything but easy”
practices. Without a dedicated or safe practice space, they moved throughout the school, carrying heavy cheer mats up and down staircases to wherever they could find room.
“At competition we perform on nine cheer mats,” Tammy explained. “But on a good day at practice, we use three cheer mats and six old wrestling mats.
SISTERHOOD, 4
Tết in Seattle Celebrates 30 Years of Vietnamese Lunar New Year Traditions at Seattle Center
Celebrate three decades of culture, community, and tradition at Tết in Seattle – Vietnamese Lunar New Year, returning to Seattle Center for its 30th anniversary celebration on Saturday and Sunday, February 14 & 15, from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. The free, joyful, and multi-generational festival takes place at the Seattle Center Armory and Fisher Pavilion, welcoming the Year of the Horse with music, food, art, and hands-on cultural experiences.
Part of the Seattle Center Festál year-round series of cultural festivals, Tết in Seattle honors the cultural roots of Vietnamese Americans through the celebration of Tết, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. The festival presents and promotes the arts, music, performances, and foods unique to Vietnam, creating a space for families, elders, youth, and visitors from across the region to come together in connection and celebration.
Festival highlights include headline performances by renowned Vietnamese singer Hồ Lệ Thu on Saturday and Trúc Linh & Trúc Lam on Sunday, alongside live entertainment
throughout the weekend. Guests can enjoy six different lion dances, firecrackers, and interactive dance workshops, as well as an Áo Dài Fashion Show celebrating traditional Vietnamese dress. A kids’ Tết zone offers activities for younger festivalgoers, while the Tết in Seattle Community Art Gallery explores this year’s theme, Steadfast Warmth, in honor of the Year of the Horse.
Food is a central part of the celebration, featuring a wide selection of Vietnamese dishes from local food vendors. Attendees can take part in a food passport experience, kids’ and adult eating competitions, and a festive Bánh Tết (sticky rice cake) wrapping competition highlighting a cherished Lunar New Year tradition.
The festival also includes a health fair open to all ages, offering numerous free resources and services such as vaccines, health education, vision screenings, bone density screenings, and more.
“Tết in Seattle is a beautiful example of how sharing cultural traditions strengthens community and creates a sense of belonging,”
Sisters, Libby Campbell (12th grade) & Charlotte Campbell (9th grade), celebrate their win!
Savvy Senior: Tools to Help You Find the Perfect Place to Retire
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
What resources can you recommend for researching good places to retire in the U.S.? My husband and I are interested in relocating to a warmer climate when we retire next year.
—Looking to Relocate
Dear Looking,
It’s exciting to think about relocating in retirement! Whether you’re considering seasonal escapes or a permanent change, there are a wide variety of digital resources that can help you find and research new locations. Here are some tips and tools to help you get started.
WHERE TO RETIRE?
Deciding where to relocate when you retire is a big decision. There are many factors to think about to ensure the move supports your lifestyle, financial goals, and overall well-being. To help you identify some good retirement locations you need to consider things like cost of living, climate, taxes, health care, housing, crime, access to social and recreational activities, access to transportation and proximity to family and friends.
If you’re at the beginning of your search, a good starting point is BestPlaces.net. This site compiles
demographic data from numerous reliable sources, updates it regularly and lets you easily compare cities using different criteria, such as housing cost, climate, crime, religious practice, voting patterns and education level. They even offer a 10-question “Where is the best place for me to live?” quiz, which may suggest some locations you may never have thought of.
There are also news and financial publications like U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, WalletHub, Bankrate and The Motley Fool that publish “best places to retire” ranking lists on their websites each year. These can give you an idea of popular retirement locations based on different sets of criteria.
Once you identify a few good spots, here are some additional resources that can help you dig a little deeper.
Cost of living: Affordability is often the No. 1 factor when deciding where to relocate. To research and compare the cost of living from your current location to where you would like to move, use the previously mentioned BestPlaces.net, the Economic Policy Institute Family Budget Calculator at EPI. org/resources/budget and/or Bankrate’s cost of living calculator at Bankrate.com/real-estate/
BY JANE W.
cost-of-living-calculator. And, because housing is a big expense, you can take a deeper dive into these costs at Zillow.com and Realtor. com.
Taxes: Some states are more tax friendly than others. To investigate how states treat retirees when it comes to income, sales, property and other taxes, see Kiplinger tax guide at Kiplinger.com – search “Taxes on Retirees: A State-byState Guide.”
Crime rate: To evaluate how safe a community or area is, the
WA EV Charger Projects Receive Federal Funding
Bill Lucia Washington State Standard
Five awardees are on track to receive a combined $12.1 million in federal funding to build and operate electric vehicle charging stations at 14 locations along highways in Washington state.
The state Department of Transportation announced the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program grants on Thursday, after moves by the Trump administration and legal wrangling waylaid the money’s release.
Chargers will be installed along Interstate 90 and U.S. routes 97, 195 and 395. Those that will receive the funding include Seattle-based startup Electric Era, Energy Northwest, which is a consortium of public utility districts and municipalities, EvGateway, EVgo and Tesla.
Washington and 13 other states sued in response to the Trump administration’s attempts to withhold the funding, which was provided under a 2021 federal infrastructure law signed by former President Joe Biden.
U.S. District Court Judge Tana Lin issued a preliminary ruling last June ordering the administration to unfreeze the money. Lin made a final
ruling in favor of the states this month.
“These projects fill key gaps in the state’s highway EV charging network and will make electric vehicle travel even more convenient,”
Washington state Secretary of Transportation Julie Meredith said in a statement.
“We’re pleased to invest these federal funds with companies that will now build, operate and maintain these charging stations,” she added.
Plans call for the charging stations to be built in the next two years, with 96 fast-charging ports available across the 14 locations.
The state’s transportation department said it received 49 applications for the grants, totaling around $44.3 million.
Electric Era is set to receive about $4.2 million, the largest chunk of the funding announced Thursday. EVgo would receive the least, $650,531, for a project in the Colville area.
The transportation department cautioned that awards are contingent on final negotiations over details for the projects.
In full, the state is slated to get a $71 million through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, and the state transportation department expects to award funding to more projects.
Health care: If you’re enrolled or planning to enroll in original Medicare, check the coverage and availability of providers in your new location. Search by ZIP code for health care providers and facilities at Medicare.gov/care-compare, and check star ratings for quality of care. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and you move out of the coverage area, you’ll need to find a new plan in your new area.
Transportation: If you plan to travel much, or expect frequent visits from your kids or grandkids, convenient access to an airport or train station is a big advantage.
FBI Crime Data Explorer (cde. ucr.cjis.gov) allows you to explore crime statistics at the national, state, and local levels.
Climate: You can find U.S. climate/weather information at National Centers for Environmental Information at NCEI.noaa.gov. And to research climate change factors and the risks of extreme temperatures, wildfires, floods, hurricanes, severe storms, earthquakes and drought in different locations, use ClimateCheck.com and FEMA (Hazards.fema.gov/nri/map).
TET IN SEATTLE, FROM 1
said Heidi Jackson, Managing Artistic Director of Cultural Programs at Seattle Center. “Celebrating 30 years reflects the festival’s deep roots and its lasting impact in our region.”
About Tết History
Tết occurs on the first day of the Lunar New Year, typically in late January or early February, and is celebrated for three to five days. During this period, families reunite, put aside the past year’s struggles, and pray for blessings in the year to come.
Homes are cleaned, fresh clothes are donned, and streets are decorated in preparation for Tết. In every home, altars are set up to welcome ancestors with a full spread of Vietnamese
SPD, FROM 1
The Center Square asked the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs about Seattle’s improving crime statistics.
“The 2025 Crime in Washington Report will be compiled this spring for release this summer,” WASPC Communications Consultant Barbara Smith emailed The Center Square. “So WASPC doesn’t have verified crime statistics for Seattle or other jurisdictions at this point.”
She did note that overall crime rates in Washington were down in 2024.
The Center Square also reached out to the Seattle Police Officers Guild – which has consistently criticized Seattle city leadership for what it claims are dangerous policies like limiting drug arrests and pushing defund the police ideologies –for comment, but did not receive a reply.
Last week, outgoing SPOG President Mike Solan publicly criticized Mayor Katie Wilson’s plans to bar federal immigration enforcement from using citycontrolled property and to have city police verify the identification of federal agents.
Crime was a major issue in last year’s mayoral race between then-Mayor
Once you have narrowed down your choices, spend a couple weeks in each location at different times of the year so you can get a feel for the seasonal weather changes, and so you can carefully weigh the pros and cons of living there. You may find that you like the area more as a vacation spot than as a yearround residence. It’s also a good idea to rent for a year before buying a home or making a commitment to a retirement community.
Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior. org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
dishes unique to Tết, such as bánh tết, bánh chưng, and more.
About Tết Festival
Tết in Seattle was formed in 1996 by four Vietnamese organizations invested in celebrating and preserving traditional Vietnamese culture in the Seattle community. The groups hoped to host an event which would unite the Vietnamese community and introduce that community to the greater Seattle area. Observance of the Lunar New Year, Tết Nguyên Đán, presented the perfect opportunity to do so. Information on Tết in Seattle is available at https://www.tetinseattle. org/.
Bruce Harrell and Wilson. Harrell, elected in 2021 on a law-and-order platform, ran on his record of increasing police staffing, clearing homeless encampments, and promoting a centrist approach.
Wilson, a community organizer, ran on a progressive platform focusing on affordable housing, alternatives to police responses, and addressing the root causes of crime.
Barnes outlined a 2026 plan focused on continuing to reduce crime, expanding community policing and increasing officer staffing.
SPD has been highlighting a new, monthly community conversation series called Our City, Our Safety. The next meeting will be held on Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Loyal Heights Community Center.
“And this is the work they do each and every day, and I am so proud to lead this department, and proud of your continued support, your continued partnership, and I look forward to the work that we have ahead of us in the new year, 2026,” Barnes said.
Most winter practices were on just three mats that we had to haul around the school.”
Despite the challenges, the team adapted. When a team member was out sick just days before state, the athletes quickly rearranged their routine as a backup plan— ready to adjust at a moment’s notice.
This year was also especially meaningful for Libby because she got to compete alongside her sister, Charlotte, who joined the team last spring and quickly excelled as a flyer.
“We knew we wanted to compete together, and we knew we wanted to win together,” Libby said. “With injuries throughout the season, Charlotte stepped up and learned quickly. She did an amazing job.”
That sense of trust and unity is echoed by freshman Charlotte Campbell, “I always wanted to be a cheerleader, but especially last year seeing my sister join and seeing what the team was really like,” she said. “I knew it would be hard, but camp, games, competitions, and practices pushed me unbelievably.”
She credits the team’s bond for helping her rise to the challenge. “I am so incredibly grateful to trust every single person on the mat beside me,” Charlotte said. “The bond between us is absolutely unique. We’ve all been through it together, and we all know how to support and build each other up.”
Leading the team is Head Coach Olivia King, now in her fourth year coaching and second as head coach. This graduating class marks the first group she has coached from their freshman year through graduation.
“It’s been really incredible getting to see them grow,” King said. “I’m very honored and grateful to form these connections and teach them my passion for cheerleading. This win is a dream come true.”
King, who competed herself in high school, emphasized that the championship was earned through relentless effort.
“They worked so hard,” she said. “I feel like they earned it.”
What many outside the program don’t realize is that cheer is a year-round commitment, not a single season. The team practices throughout the entire school year and receives no funding from the school district or PTA. Uniforms,
competition fees, and travel costs are covered through fundraising— often led by the athletes and their families.
There is an upcoming event for middle school cheer camp that serves to train young cheerleaders and raise funds for the team.
Information can be found and donations can be made at https:// lincolnhs.seattleschools.org/ student-life/athletics/cheer/
Now, after basketball playoffs conclude, the team will take one
of only two multi-week breaks they get each year before spring practices and tryouts begin. A team banquet and championship rings are planned to celebrate the historic win.
For these athletes, the state title is proof of what they’ve always known: that their hard work, resilience, and teamwork matter—and that they’ve built something lasting together. Let’s go Lynx!
CROSSWORD
Lincoln High School Cheerleaders competing at the State Tournament last weekend. Flyers (L-R): Charlotte Campbell, Jane Montgomery, Ella Macgregor. Bottom (L-R): Olivia Bellman-Scoville, Hannah Mukohata, Ginger Dodge, Audrey Riegsecker, Libby Campbell, Violet Scully, Jade Nord, Kira Daniels.
Gary Lardizabal
Istarted delivering food in Seattle a few years ago because it gave me flexibility. I could work around school, family responsibilities, and other jobs. I could choose when to log on, where to work, and how long to stay out. Like many delivery drivers, it’s not my full-time job - I was looking for control over my time and a reliable way to earn a little extra income.
Two years after Seattle passed its delivery pay law, that flexibility - and reliability is disappearing.
When the city passed the App-Based Worker Minimum Payment Ordinance, the idea sounded good: guarantee delivery drivers a higher minimum pay rate. I support fair pay. Drivers deserve protections, and no one should be underpaid for their work. But what the law didn’t fully account for is how delivery actually works - and how higher costs would change customer behavior.
Since the law took effect, the biggest change I’ve noticed isn’t higher pay. It’s fewer orders.
These days, I spend much more time sitting in my car waiting for offers. Across Seattle, drivers are now waiting nearly FIVE times longer than they did in September 2023, before the standard went into effect. Dashers like me are now forced to wait an average of 20 minutes between offers. That’s not because we’re working less - it’s because the work just isn’t there.
Those waiting periods aren’t paid. It’s time I’m not earning, even though I’m available and ready to work. When orders finally do come in, they’re often
spaced so far apart that it’s hard to make a shift worthwhile.
Even with higher per-delivery pay requirements, my weekly earnings are down. With fewer deliveries available, I’m completing fewer orders per shift. That’s less money in my pocket for groceries, rent, childcare, and all the other things I rely on these deliveries to cover.
In fact, a new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research in December confirmed that for highlight active drivers like me, we’re getting
“These
days, I spend much more time sitting in my car waiting for offers.”
fewer opportunities to dash, which, combined with lower tips, has completely offset the higher base pay designated by the policy, and resulted in zero effect on monthly earnings. Zero! These economists used impartial data to prove that the delivery fees destroyed ‘elastic demand’ AND delivery work in Seattle.
If our elected officials had talked to us, they would have understood better that delivery depends on balance. Customers need prices they can afford. Restaurants need enough volume to stay profitable. Drivers need steady demand to earn consistently. When one part of that system gets pushed too far out of balance, everything else suffers.
Right now, Seattle has the highest delivery fees in the country - more than twice what customers pay in similar cities. That might look like protection
in theory, but in practice, it’s driving demand away. A higher rate doesn’t help my fellow delivery drivers or me if there are no orders attached to it.
What does this mean for us in the long term? Fewer orders mean fewer opportunities to earn. It means less flexibility, more uncertainty, and more unpaid time between deliveries. That’s not what most of us signed up for.
I don’t want to go back to a system where drivers are underpaid or taken advantage of. But I also don’t want policies that sound good to voters but make it harder to earn in real life. We shouldn’t have to choose between fair pay and functional work.
Two years in, it’s time for Seattle leaders to look honestly at the results. If the goal was to help drivers, restaurants, and communities, the current approach isn’t getting us there. We need to reform the delivery pay policy so that it protects drivers without pushing customers away and shrinking the work we depend on.
I’m proud of the work I do. I want to keep delivering in Seattle. But that’s only possible if the system actually works - not just on paper, but on the street, where drivers like me are waiting for the next order that may or may not come.
Gary Lardizabal is a Seattle-based app delivery driver. He testified at Seattle City Council meetings against Seattle’s App-Based Worker Minimum Payment Ordinance on several occasions.
