Police tell residents to call 911 for “racist name-calling” after releasing 600 inmates and saying shoplifters won’t be booked

Police in Seattle are urging the public to call 911 to report “racist name-calling”, even if you are not sure that a hate crime has occurred.

Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best said in a COVID-19 update on Monday that Washington State is no place for hate.

In the one-minute video, which was shared on the department’s social media accounts, Best said: “We will document and investigate every reported hate crime, even racist name-calling should be reported to police. We take this information very seriously.

“If you aren’t sure if a hate crime occurred call 911. We are here to help and will respond to investigate.”

The video comes after a prison in Seattle released more than 600 inmates as part of its COVID-19 pandemic response.

According to Seattle Post-Intelligencer, “From March 16 through Tuesday afternoon, the [Allegheny County] jail released 622 inmates, part of a collaboration with judges, prosecutors and others in the court system to thin the population. The effort has resulted in a 25% decline in the jail’s inmate count, to more than 1,800.”

KTTH reports, the Seattle Police Department also alerted officers that the King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention will no longer allow booking for most misdemeanour charges due to COVID-19 concerns.

“Examples of crimes that won’t be booked include shoplifting, property damage under $750, animal abuse, discharging a firearm, prohibited carry of a weapon, obstructing a law enforcement officer, trespassing, and vehicle prowling.”

Tucker Carlson responds: