Seattle City Council made significant strides in public safety legislation during its meeting on February 11, 2025, focusing on the deployment of less-lethal crowd management tools, specifically blast balls. The council approved an amendment that mandates blast balls be thrown underhanded and away from people, a move aimed at reducing injuries associated with their use. This decision aligns with recommendations from the Community Police Commission (CPC) and the Office of Police Accountability (OPA), which highlighted that most injuries occurred when blast balls were deployed overhand.

Council Member Moore, who sponsored the amendment, emphasized the importance of these changes in ensuring safer practices for both the public and police officers. The council's discussions reflected a commitment to balancing effective crowd management with the need to protect individuals during demonstrations.

In addition to the primary amendment, the council also adopted several other amendments that further clarified the operational guidelines for using blast balls. Notably, the council avoided conflating crowd management with life safety in the legislation, aiming for clarity in policy application.

The meeting also saw a robust debate over the inclusion of additional recitals that documented the historical context of blast ball usage in Seattle, which has been linked to serious injuries in the past. While some council members supported these recitals for transparency, others raised legal concerns, ultimately leading to a split vote on their inclusion.

Overall, the council's actions reflect a proactive approach to reforming crowd management policies, with a clear focus on minimizing harm while maintaining public order. As the legislation progresses, the council aims to ensure that the deployment of less-lethal tools is conducted with the utmost care and responsibility, setting a precedent for future public safety measures.