Strategic Collaboration and Community Care: Chief Shon Barnes on The Pop-Up!
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes recently appeared on The Pop-Up! to discuss a unified front against crime and the deep-seated disparities affecting the city's most vulnerable populations, shortly after a press conference on Thursday, June 11 alongside other city leaders.
A Unified Stand Against Exploitation
At the press conference, a majority of the city council, the police department, and the city attorney’s office stood together to address gun violence and sex trafficking in areas like Aurora.
"Just because something has historically been bad doesn't mean it's not a good time to start and say we're going to stop it," Barnes said on The Pop-Up!, noting a renewed focus on enforcement and victim rescue.
Addressing "Modern-Day Slavery"
Barnes discussed on the alarming statistics surrounding child sex trafficking in King County, where Black girls make up 44% to 52% of victims despite being only 4.4% of the population, according to regional prosecutors and members of the King County Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Task Force.
The Chief described the reality of this exploitation as "brutal" and a form of "modern-day slavery.” He shared a story from a rescue operation involving a 15-year-old girl.
"What she told the detective was, 'I was waiting for you to rescue me.' She said, 'I saw you guys riding by all the time... This is the day that someone’s going to stop me. This is the day that someone’s going to come and they’re going to rescue me,’” he recounted.
Tackling Gun Violence and Misinformation
Barnes also addressed the "noise" of public criticism, particularly regarding his qualifications. Despite holding a PhD in leadership studies and having led other agencies through national crises, Barnes noted he still faces comments about being a "DEI hire.”
"Successful people pay attention to the signal and ignore the noise," he said.
Turning to gun violence, Barnes highlighted a grim "group dynamic": if a person has a friend who has been shot in Seattle, they are nine times more likely to be shot themselves, he said. To combat this, he advocated for a multi-front approach:
Federal Prosecution: Taking cases involving convicted felons with illegal firearms to the federal system for swifter results.
Cycle Interruption: Urging parents, teachers, and faith leaders to have “tough conversations” with youth about de-escalation and the dangers of gun possession.
Building a Lasting Legacy
Barnes expressed a desire to be the first Seattle Police Chief in a long time to retire from the position, with a goal of staying at least four more years. He credited his relationship with the community—particularly Seattle’s older Black community—for keeping him grounded.
"They can spot a faker a mile away," the Chief said. "Those are the people who come up to me the most and say thank you and we're proud of you... that really makes it all worth it.”
Learn more about the Seattle Police Department at seattle.gov/police
Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays live at 9 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.
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