Seattle City Council passes controversial drug, prostitution buffer zones
SEATTLE - The Seattle City Council just passed two ordinances aimed at cracking down on local crime and prostitution.
The controversial legislation, known as the SOAP [Stay out of Area of Prostitution] and SODA [Stay out of Drug Area] zones, sparked intense debate with dozens lining up hours before the council meeting to voice their opinions.
The SOAP and SODA ordinances both passed 8-1, with Councilmember Tammy Morales opposed.
Seattle City Hall was packed on Tuesday afternoon, with outraged citizens and fearful neighbors clashing over proposed buffer zones designed to crack down on illegal drug use and prostitution. Tensions were high following last week’s chaotic vote in the Public Safety Committee.
At that meeting, one protester was arrested, and city property was defaced with the message "Cathy Moore hates the poor" scrawled on the floor outside council chambers. Protesters chanted, forcing police to intervene.
Councilmember Cathy Moore, who sponsored the legislation, faced intense criticism. Despite the backlash, supporters argue that the bill is essential for addressing street crime. Moore says she collaborated with the direct input of survivors and service providers to craft the ordinance.
"Unfortunately, people have not taken the time to read what I have put forth and have a particular philosophical perspective," said Moore.
The supporters and opponents of the buffer zones
Proponents of the SOAP buffer zone say it will give law enforcement new tools to engage pimps and buyers, helping to disrupt the prostitution rings that operate openly on Seattle streets.
"This bill is the first time the city has been on record to go after the people who are perpetuating the trauma and harm in our communities: the buyers and the pimps," said Moore.
Moore emphasized the need for stronger police enforcement, saying, "It’s common knowledge who’s engaging in this activity, who the pimps are. They are driving women and others to Aurora. They are sitting in the car, surveilling and monitoring this behavior."
She contends this ordinance allows police to observe that behavior and if they see the same people showing up again and again, they can approach, investigate, and potentially detain them right there on Aurora Avenue.
Councilmember Bob Kettle also backed the bill, arguing it would reduce turf wars and associated violence. "There’s competing interests, and often in this business world, they resolve those interests with gunfire," Kettle said.
But critics argue that this is a sideways policy that will do more harm than good, by further stigmatizing sex workers without addressing underlying issues.
They contend it directs more funds towards policing rather than social supports to aid victims of sex trafficking. During the public comment period, several opponents questioned whether police officers can be expected to properly enforce the law, while others argued that what is defined as "suspicious behavior" is nebulous and could lead to people — especially marginalized groups — being disproportionately profiled and arrested.
Other opponents claim the ordinance would only penalize those engaged in prostitution, while doing little to curb violence or to target the pimps responsible.
Another complaint is this is a backslide, reinstating a misdemeanor charge for prostitution loitering, a law removed by Seattle City Council in 2020.
Before passing the ordinances, several councilmembers spoke on their reasoning behind their decisions. Several amendments were added to the SOAP ordinance to specify that buyers will also be prosecuted, and that the effects of the legislation will be reviewed and analyzed through public data.
The bill now goes to Mayor Bruce Harrell, and he is expected to sign it into law.
The response from councilmembers
After the laws were passed Tuesday evening, several councilmembers and city leaders issued statements.
"For the past two years I have heard loud and clear from law enforcement that they need new legal tools to disrupt open-air criminal drug market activity in many areas of our city, and the tragedy of human trafficking on Aurora Avenue North," said City Attorney Davison, who developed the bill with councilmembers. "I have worked on and advocated for these two new ordinances to answer that call. I look forward to partnering with the Seattle Police Department on strategic enforcement to help impacted neighborhoods and protect vulnerable victims."
"Our neighborhoods have been hurting for too long. We need to start with those in need but this bill will help us build back community for neighbors, residents, small business owners, and employees who have been suffering from the crime that accompanies the illicit drug activity," said councilmember Bob Kettle. "This legislation uses a data driven approach to achieve the goals in our Strategic Framework plan. I am appreciative for the support our legislation has received from the community and my colleagues, and I am grateful for the opportunity to make Seattle safer."
"Criminal behavior is no longer tolerable on our streets. This legislation sends a strong message to the public that this Council has heard their demands for stronger safety measures. It is illustrative of our Council’s commitment to working closely with constituents and crafting public policy that is supported by data. This policy is narrowly tailored to address key hot spots in our city where we know dangerous drugs like fentanyl are especially prevalent in our communities," said councilmember Rob Saka.
"We must do more to disrupt the drug market downtown," said Council President Sara Nelson. "This bill provides an additional tool for doing just that while implementing the recommendation in the City Auditor’s report that we take a place-based approach to drug-related crime to best target our limited police and human service resources."
Tammy Morales was the lone "no" vote, and she released the following statement:
"The City of Seattle had both SODA and SOAP zones for over 20 years and research has proven these orders did not reduce drug use or human trafficking. We need real solutions to address the public health and safety crises on our streets. That’s why my office has been urging the Council to follow the recommendations detailed in our City Auditor’s report which provides a road map on how we can take an evidence-based approach to address where overdoses and crime are concentrated. Instead, this legislation will intentionally make it more difficult for people to access critical services across the City. I am truly disheartened that we are having these conversations again as a city when there are documented solutions that we could be working toward implementing to address the root causes of violence."
This is a developing story; check back for updates.
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