The Kent City Council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024 featured a comprehensive public safety report from Police Chief Rafael Padilla.

The report highlighted recent accomplishments, including the swearing-in of a new officer, awards given to officers involved in a February shooting incident, and the formation of a new Crime Reduction Unit.

Additionally, Chief Padilla discussed community engagement initiatives such as the Community Police Academy and Badges & Barbells.

Chief Padilla’s Public Safety Report

The meeting began with a positive report by Police Chief Rafael Padilla, who had a new officer to swear in – a lateral transfer from Georgia with six years of experience. Padilla said due to a very stable and fully staffed police force, hiring of new officers has slowed way down

In addition, Chief Padilla mentioned several awards he had recently given out for excellence and exceptional duty. Most went to officers and detectives who played critical roles after the shooting of Officer Raymond Seaburg in the line of duty back in February. That officer survived nine bullet wounds, thanks to the quick work of other officers on the scene, and the perpetrator was tracked down and apprehended.

The Chief’s Award for Citizen Commendation, went to a man named Mufti Khalid. Khalid, a driving instructor, had performed lifesaving CPR on his student on June 19. The student survived and is alive today. The award was accepted by the family of Mufti Khalid, as Khalid has unfortunately recently passed away.

A new Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) is being created with the aim of practicing preventative, proactive law enforcement, rather than working primarily in response to incidents. Officers in this unit will patrol areas like drug trafficking hotspots, racing zones, high vandalism districts, and at community events in order to keep the peace and reduce crime.

Citizens interested in learning more about the work of the police can now enroll in the popular Community Police Academy. Registration is open, and spots fill quickly for this free educational program. The series lasts ten weeks, and meets on Tuesday evenings starting October 1st.

Badges & Barbells is another opportunity to connect with police officers. This event, which is the first of its kind, will take place at Imperial Crossfit on Sept. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be snacks and some workout instruction, along with an opportunity to connect with police officers. Space is limited to 20 participants.

Finally, Chief Padilla mentioned that there were 63 different neighborhood groups that turned out to celebrate National Night Out this year. He said Kent consistently ranks in the top five cities nationwide for participation in this program, which is focused on community connection and public safety.

Public Comments

The only public commenter was the director of a new behavioral health facility, Evergreen Haven. He said this facility helps youth navigate mental health issues. He shared that this is a volunteer inpatient facility for youth experiencing issues like severe autism and brain trauma, and is not for violent offenders. He asked for support for this facility, which he said is a positive resource to the community.

RFA Property Returned To City For $1

Lastly, a Washington Avenue property purchased by the city in 2006 and then sold to the Regional Fire Authority (RFA) for $1, has been returned to the city for $1. The RFA determined that they no longer have need of the property. Kent CAO Pat Fitzpatrick personally contributed the one dollar bill for the purchase, and Mayor Dana Ralph presented the money in a large frame with a certificate of purchase. It was not made clear what the RFA will spend the windfall on, nor what the city will do with the newly repurchased property.

Mellow DeTray

Mellow DeTray is a Seattle native who has spent the last 17 years raising her family in the region. For many years she published a moderately popular cooking & lifestyle blog, and she had a brief stint in political journalism during a local election. Clear and informative writing has always been a side hobby of Mellow’s and she looks forward to bringing you unbiased coverage of City Council meetings.