Seattle’s Next Chapter: The Big O Talks Katie Wilson on Good Day Seattle

Converge Media’s Omari Salisbury (The Big O) joined Good Day Seattle this morning to share his takeaways from his recent interview with Mayor-elect Katie Wilson on “The Big O Show.” With less than one month until Wilson is sworn in, Salisbury offered a look into what Seattleites can expect from the new administration, from Wilson’s management style, her approach to City Hall, and her priorities on public safety and homelessness. 

A New Management Style: Community Organizing at City Hall

Salisbury emphasized the contrast between Mayor Bruce Harrell’s administration and what he expects from Wilson. 

"Katie Wilson, her management style or approach is exactly what she says. She is a community organizer,” he said “I think one of the biggest takeaways is that City Hall is pretty much going to represent that style…and so a lot of the structures that we've seen in previous administrations will be a bit different."

Salisbury said Wilson is changing the mayoral staff structure in an effort to "cut bureaucracy,” moving from four deputy mayors to only one, Brian Surratt, with other staff reporting to him.  

Keeping the Police Chief

Despite the change in administration, Wilson announced her decision to keep Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes on “The Big O Show.”

"I think that [Barnes] has extensive experience in his career with reforming police departments, and he's bringing in that kind of fresh outside perspective on the way that we've done things here. So I think that's really valuable,” she said during the interview. 

Salisbury added that the decision makes sense practically, noting the difficulty of replacing a police chief and the approaching World Cup, and pointing out that Chief Barnes also has support within Seattle’s Black community. 

An Approach to Community Safety and Crime Victims

Salisbury shared that Wilson highlighted the gravity of crime on the community and the need to support those affected. 

“If we're committed to being a city, a community that cares for each other, that means that we don't forget about people when, when they're the victim of a crime,” Wilson said in the interview. 

Salisbury, who specifically asked about the Mayor-elect’s approach to victims, noted that Wilson didn't give a specific answer on her approach to crime, but stressed the importance of addressing victims who are often forgotten. 

Restoring Quality of Life in Public Space

Reflecting on his recent surgery, Salisbury shared his experience in the drug store and finding many products behind glass. 

"When does Seattle return to its quality of life?” he said. “If you become institutionalized, years of going and getting things behind glass in the store, then you suddenly just think that it's normal. That's not normal.” 

The Mayor-elect shared Salisbury’s sentiment during the interview. 

“It's really demoralizing when you walk around and things are behind lock and key, and there's just this kind of sense of hostility, or sense of we don't trust each other,” Wilson said. “Because we don't feel like our public space is ours. We don't feel like we're comfortable just being out in public with our neighbors. So I really think that that needs to change."

The Number One Issue: Addressing Homelessness

Salisbury shared that Wilson confirmed her top priority during their interview: addressing homelessness with a different approach compared to the previous administration. 

"She said that she was very committed to aggressively addressing homelessness and getting people off the street. She said that's her number one issue. She said that's where the budget is going to be aimed towards,” he said.  

Salisbury said that he doesn't expect the controversial sweeps of homeless encampments seen under Mayor Harrell to continue once Wilson takes office. 

Watch Katie Wilson’s full interview on “The Big O Show” here.