Summary of Mayor Durkan’s executive order to dismantle the CHOP
By Alexa Peters
Photo by Nikki Barron
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Early on the morning of June 30, Mayor Jenny Durkan issued an executive order regarding the area surrounding the East Precinct and Cal Anderson park, also known as CHOP.
In the document, Mayor Durkan instructed City departments to “work in coordination to respond to the observed and reported exigent life safety, public health, and property issues” in the CHOP zone, specifically through carrying out 16 directives.
Durkan’s first directive is to close Cal Anderson park starting July 1 at 2pm and require occupiers to immediately leave the park. In the order, Durkan instructs SPD to enforce the exodus of protestors from Cal Anderson and to arrest any “trespassers” who remain or resist. The order also states that “all reasonable efforts” will be made to help protestors access shelter, storage for personal belongings, and transportation.
Simultaneously, the order instructs City departments to take stock of the damages, to clarify and protect what in the area is city property, to remove any barriers or obstructions to foot and vehicle traffic, and to maintain a “security buffer” to control access to the area.
Durkan also directs Seattle Parks and Recreation to begin cleaning and restoring the area, Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle City Light to inspect water and electric facilities, and for the Department of Health and Human Services to engage in social services outreach. As well, she asks Seattle Parks and Recreation to start discussions with the surrounding community about around how to preserve public art and certain aspects of the CHOP zone, like the community garden.
City departments have been given 10 days, or “until further notice, whichever comes first,” to carry out these demands. According to Seattle Police Department’s “SPD Blotter,” as of 5:30 a.m. on July 2nd, 2020, a total of 25 arrests have been made for “failure to disperse, assault, and obstructing.”
Click here to read the full Executive Order and to read updates on the City’s actions in the area.
