Wednesday Marks 1 Year Since Seattle's CHOP Formed - Seattle, WA - The three-week occupied protest emerged after Seattle police abandoned the East Precinct. One year later, some questions remain unanswered.
Former SPD chief offers new details on why East Precinct was abandoned last summer
SPD s East Precinct in June of 2020. (Getty Images)
Nearly a year after the Seattle Police Department’s East Precinct was temporarily abandoned last summer, former Chief Carmen Best has provided further insight into the decision making that took place behind the scenes.
In early June, sources confirmed to KIRO Radio at the time that preparations were underway to secure the East Precinct on Capitol Hill, remove sensitive materials, and potentially abandon the building. Days later, SPD left the precinct entirely, and protesters moved in, setting up barricades and forming what would later become known as the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest.
Lawsuits reveal city is missing June 2020 text messages from Seattle mayor, SPD leaders, fire chief May 10, 2021 at 12:04 pm
Police Chief Carmen Best, center, speaks at at a news conference, Monday, July 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Lawsuits filed against the City of Seattle related to protests that took place last June revealed that the city is missing text messages from Mayor Jenny Durkan, then-SPD Chief Carmen Best, Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, and several other SPD leaders.
One of the lawsuits brought on behalf of Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County had sought to use texts among city leadership to paint a picture of behind-the-scenes communication that led to the frequent use of tear gas during protests early last summer. Another filed by Capitol Hill residents and businesses had looked to decipher the series of events leading up to SPD abandoning the East Precinct last June, and the eventual creation of the CHOP.