Seattle Mayor’s Security Detail Highlighted Amidst Public Transit Safety Questions
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson recently drew attention when she pointed to her security detail as a response to a resident’s concerns about safety on public transportation. The mayor, who took office in January, was speaking at a public event on June 3rd, discussing critical issues facing the city, including the housing crisis and affordability.
During a question-and-answer session, a resident named Julie Kang shared her anxieties about using the RapidRide buses in King County. Kang recounted personal experiences of feeling unsafe, stating, “I am all for taxes when the system is working. But I’m not sure if I’m going to get home safely tonight because on the way here I already had two incidents where I should not have looked around and got next to another person carefully.” She then directly asked the mayor, “What can we do to make sure public safety is ensured as we are expanding transit riders? Because I want to go home safely.”
Mayor’s Response and Focus on Homelessness
Mayor Wilson, 43, responded by noting her current reliance on a security detail for transportation. “As an inveterate transit rider myself, and you know I spent the last few years – I mean now I get driven around by my security detail,” she stated, with a pause and a smile.
She acknowledged the validity of the safety and security concerns raised by residents, particularly those who use public transit regularly with children. “I’ve definitely had experiences that were uncomfortable to say the least,” Wilson admitted.
The mayor then elaborated on her administration’s emphasis on addressing Seattle’s escalating homeless crisis. She explained, “Because we know part of our safety issues on public transit have to do with the fact that we have thousands of people sleeping unsheltered, often with complex needs related to substance use disorder, mental illness.. And when people have nowhere to go, they often end up using our buses and trains as shelter, and if they have unaddressed problems, that can spill over into unsafe situations.”
Wilson concluded this point by stating, “So the big answer is we need to address that crisis, because it’s not a public transit problem, it’s a public space problem and a housing crisis problem.” Data from USAFacts indicates Seattle is among the top three U.S. cities grappling with the largest homeless crisis as of 2025.
Millionaire Tax Discussion
The same speaking engagement also touched upon the city’s newly implemented millionaire tax. When questioned if the tax was prompting wealthy residents to leave, Mayor Wilson appeared to chuckle. She maintained her belief that claims of a significant exodus are “overblown.”
Wilson, who is advocating for a 9.9 percent tax on individuals earning over $1 million annually, dismissed the inquiry. “I don’t remember this,” she reportedly told the reporter when asked about being dismissive of millionaires leaving the state in April. Audience members reportedly joined in her amusement.
This discussion comes as two prominent wealthy individuals, Rich Barton and Howard Schultz, have recently relocated from Washington State. Barton, co-founder of Zillow, announced his move to Las Vegas, Nevada, citing an “empty nest” and excitement for a new chapter. Schultz, former owner and CEO of Starbucks, revealed his move to South Florida in March, referencing the appeal for his family on the East Coast.
While neither Barton nor Schultz explicitly cited the tax hike as the reason for their departures, Schultz’s statement included a hopeful note for Washington’s economic future. He expressed, “It is our hope that Washington will remain a place for business and entrepreneurship to thrive, creating essential opportunity for those in Seattle and the surrounding areas.”
