(The Center Square) – Seattle City Councilmember Cathy Moore has announced proposed reforms to limit the Seattle Police Department’s use of blast balls for crowd control.
Blast balls are rubber devices that create a loud sound and bright flash, and can also contain tear gas.
Moore’s reforms would be in the form of amendments for proposed Council Bill 120916, which is currently sitting in the Public Safety Committee. The bill would help the Seattle Police Department be in full compliance with a preliminary injunction regarding the department’s crowd control measures.
Last year, the city reached a $10 million settlement with more than 50-plaintiffs related to the George Floyd protests five years ago.
The protestors initiated the lawsuit in September 2020, alleging injuries sustained during the protests. Protesters arrived at the SPD headquarters during the protest, officers began launching gas canisters and blast balls.
The proposed amendments would require Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell to officially declare a civil emergency in the case of an increasingly aggressive crowd and separately authorize the use of blast balls, with daily approvals for their continued use.
The amendments would also implement guidelines for blast balls to be thrown underhand away from people, and launched from a distance of a minimum 10 yards.
Moore notes that blast balls have caused serious injuries when used in the past, including during protests in 2015 and 2020. SPD has asserted that it only uses blast balls that only produce light and sound or that contain a small amount of pepper spray.
“The deployment of blast balls presents significant risks, including potential fatalities, and should not occur without oversight from the city’s highest office,” Moore said in a statement on Friday. “My amendments aim to protect public safety and reduce the physical and legal risks associated with their use.”
Last month, Moore voiced her concerns with the use of blast balls for crowd control as Council Bill 120916 was introduced. Moore noted that a collection of reports from the state Attorney General’s Office and the Police Executive Research Forum all expressed serious concerns about the use of blast balls.
Fellow City Councilmember Rob Saka also said blast balls should only be used as a last resort.
Moore’s proposed amendments will be discussed at the Public Safety Committee meeting on Jan. 14.
