SAFE PLACE PROGRAM & EDMONDS POLICE
The Safe Place program aims to increase public trust in reporting hate crimes and hate incidents. This is to address the issue of under-reporting, which currently stands at 40 to 50% of all hate crimes. The Safe Place program is successful in many cities, like Seattle where it was initiated by SPD in 2014.
At the Edmonds Police Department, we are committed to providing service to all members of our community. As part of this program, we would like anyone reporting a hate crime to know:
- We take your complaint seriously and we will investigate hate crimes as reported.
The Safe Place program is a partnership between EPD and local businesses. This unique collaboration involves displaying the EPD Safe Place decal at the entrance of the business. These decals indicate to victims of hate crimes that the business will:
- Call 911 immediately on their behalf.
- Allow victims to remain at the business until police arrive.
WHAT IS A HATE CRIME?
A person is guilty of a hate crime offense if he or she commits any of the following acts because of his or her perception of the victim’s race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or mental, physical, or sensory disability.
See the legal RCW Definition below:
RCW 9A.36.080
Safe Place Program Registration
The Safe Place program is FREE! If your business would like to participate, they must do the following:
- Complete the registration form below. Upon completion, Edmonds Police will contact the business and provide a Safe Place decal and training materials for the business.
- Commit to Safe Place principles.
- Provide training for all employees.