Councilmember Moore Proposes Reforms to Limit Blast Ball Use and Enhance Oversight of Crowd Control Tactics

Councilmember Cathy Moore (District 5) today introduced a set of proposed amendments to restrict the use of blast balls by the Seattle Police Department (SPD) for crowd control and to strengthen City Council oversight over SPD's crowd management practices, including the deployment of new less-lethal weapons. Currently under review by the Public Safety Committee, the proposed legislation mandates that SPD adopt a crowd management policy in line with specific guidelines. If passed, the ordinance could help the city move closer to ending its federal consent decree.

Councilmember Moore's amendments would require the Mayor to officially declare a civil emergency and separately authorize the use of blast balls, with daily approvals for their continued use. Blast balls, which are rubber devices designed to create a loud sound and bright flash, also contain tear gas, and can be highly unpredictable. The devices have caused serious injuries in the past, including cardiac arrest, during protests in 2015 and 2020. In 2024, the city reached a $10 million settlement for injuries linked to the use of less-lethal weapons, including blast balls, during the George Floyd protests.

"The deployment of blast balls presents significant risks, including potential fatalities, and should not occur without oversight from the city's highest office," said Councilmember Moore. "Experts have consistently warned about the dangers of these devices. My amendments aim to protect public safety and reduce the physical and legal risks associated with their use."

The proposed amendments would also impose strict guidelines for deploying blast balls, including that they must be thrown underhanded, directed away from people, and launched from a minimum distance of 10 yards. Additionally, law enforcement officers assisting from other jurisdictions would be required to follow the city's crowd management policies or be reassigned to non-crowd-related duties. These proposals align with recommendations from the Community Police Commission.

Background

Currently, Seattle lacks specific regulation governing the use of less-lethal weapons for crowd control in the Seattle Municipal Code. In June 2020, the City Council passed an ordinance banning these weapons altogether, but the federal court overseeing the city's consent decree overturned the ban. Since then, crowd control policies have been governed by an interim policy approved by the court. However, this interim policy conflicts with a 2021 ordinance passed by the Council, highlighting the need for clearer, consistent policies to facilitate the eventual lifting of the consent decree.

Next steps

Councilmember Moore's amendments will be discussed at the Public Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 9:30 a.m. The meeting agenda and related materials will be available online ahead of time.

About the City Council

The Seattle City Council is the elected legislative branch of the city's government. It's comprised of nine councilmembers serving four-year terms and representing over 730,000 constituents - seven selected by districts and two through citywide positions. For the latest news and information, please visit seattle.gov/council .

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