August 2026

Neighbors from Southwest Seattle packed the Delridge Community Center on August 12 to share raw, emotional concerns about gun violence, open-air drug use, and speeding traffic during a public safety forum. The event, titled "Our City, Our Safety," was part of an ongoing series of community meetings co-hosted by the Seattle Police Department (SPD) and the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. Designed to build collaborative relationships and listen directly to neighbor concerns, the forum brought together city executives, precinct leaders, and local residents seeking both immediate and long-term solutions to a recent uptick in neighborhood crime.

The meeting opened with a dramatic update regarding a delay in the arrival of Interim Police Chief Andre Sayles, who had to divert to an active scene where shots were fired at officers in the South Precinct.

Local and state representatives gathered at the historic Camp Long Lodge on August 12, 2026, for an in-depth tour of the fire-damaged facility. Led by Andy Sheffer, Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Deputy Superintendent of Planning and Capital Development, the group inspected the building's current conditions, discussed the urgent need for $700,000 in state design funding, and reviewed the long-term vision to "build back better" following a devastating November 2024 arson fire.

By Liz Steen 

Interim Seattle Police Chief Andre Sayles was awarded full responsibility for enforcing Seattle’s new RV policy requiring unpermitted vehicles wider than 80 inches to move every two hours or face towing, but he was given zero new staff or other budget at the Seattle City Council Public Safety Council meeting Tuesday morning.

Instead, the Committee's draft legislation appropriates $2 million in funding from the Human Services Department for “outreach.” No RV parks are open and no one is currently receiving services, the council heard.

The former Alki Elementary School building may have undergone demolition, but its historic commemorative outdoor walkways aren't disappearing into the history books (at least not entirely).

When the former campus came down, local alumni immediately leaped into action. Principal Mason and Construction Project Lead Brian Fabella found themselves answering a wave of inquiries from eager former students asking a crucial question: What happened to our engraved brick pavers?

The answer is a happy one! Although some of the pavers unfortunately could not be salvaged during the demolition process, the ones that survived have been carefully saved and given a thorough cleaning by the contractor. Now, they are ready to be reunited with the community.

In an informational session on August 11, the Seattle City Council previewed a sweeping new legislative package aimed at rewriting how the city manages vehicle residency and recreational vehicles (RVs). Developed by Council Member Dan Strauss in cooperation with council central staff, the six draft bills represent a coordinated attempt to establish dedicated pathways to housing while implementing strict new overnight parking regulations.

The package was presented as an informational item only and was not formally introduced or debated. It is scheduled to be officially placed on the council’s August 18 introduction and referral calendar, with a public hearing, discussion, and potential vote slated for the Public Safety Committee on September 22.

Addressing a "Failing" System

Thirty years ago, a seed of an idea was planted in the Delridge neighborhood of West Seattle. Grounded in the foundational belief that strong communities are built when local residents have the opportunity to actively shape the places they call home, the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA) began its work. Today, as DNDA marks its pearl anniversary, that seed has grown into a deeply rooted network of affordable housing, cultural spaces, and thriving urban forests.

To celebrate this milestone, DNDA is inviting neighbors, supporters, and friends to its 30th annual Wine in the Woods gathering on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m..

Three Decades of Growth and Stewardship