Nora Chan holding her award with SPD Capt. Thomas Mahaffey.
The Seattle Police Department (SPD)’s West Precinct Community Police Team presented Nora Chan with its 2019 Outstanding Citizen Award on July 11.
“This is in appreciation for her helping SPD in a meaningful way that resulted in an enhanced SPD understanding and ability to deal with issues of community concern. Nora has consistently made herself available to myself and other officers as a liaison between and a voice for businesses in the CID,” said Officer Carry Godeke in an email.
Chan founded Seniors in Action Foundation in 2006 to promote civic involvement and community service among the seniors in the Chinatown International District.
With all due respect to Ms. Chan’s commitment to her community, if Ms. Chan has such a great relationship with SPD let her get boots on the ground and a police beat in the C-ID where there is people to people contact and relationships developed between SPD and the community. We could use a bicycle cop patrol beat in the C-ID. The only time one ever hears about the SPD being in Chinatown is when they shoot someone. I urge Ms. Chan to focus more on involving law enforcement in a more humane and proactive way rather than methods that result in reaction, invoking fear and the use of overly broad and authoritarian electronic surveillance.