Seattle Business Owner Calls for Action on Public Drug Use and Emergency Response

<p>As numerous Seattle business leaders urge the city to address open-air drug markets, small-business owner Matt Humphrey reports experiencing the negative effects firsthand. In an interview on September 15, 2026, Humphrey, who owns Steele Barber and Steele Salons, stated, "It's not getting better, it's getting worse despite the statistics."</p><p>Humphrey recounted a recent incident where he called 911 due to open-air drug use near his business, noting that a shipment of produce from a local restaurant was hijacked and scattered while individuals were using drugs. He expressed frustration at the lack of police response, stating, "We just encounter this really every day or every week, and it's dangerous for our staff, and it's not great for our customers."</p><p>Humphrey highlighted ongoing issues with public drug use, harassment, and slow emergency responses in his neighborhood. He expressed support for an open letter sent to Mayor Katie Wilson and the Seattle City Council, which was signed by 38 business leaders, including executives from Microsoft, Starbucks, and Costco. The letter requested a 100-day public-safety action plan, increased police staffing, faster response times, and prioritization of treatment and shelter for individuals refusing help.</p><p>Humphrey noted, "It's encouraging to see big companies step forward and demand some accountability for what we really are working hard to do in the city, which is provide jobs." In response to a recent shooting incident at the Bite of Seattle festival, Mayor Wilson stated that Seattle Police Department data indicate shootings and homicides are at their lowest in a decade. However, Humphrey disagreed with this assessment, stating, "I think it's getting worse. I see the tent encampments moving around, blocks from my business, from my home." He described a recent situation where he called 911 about an individual who appeared unresponsive near his home, highlighting the challenges faced when seeking emergency assistance.</p><p>Humphrey emphasized the need for police support to ensure employee safety and improve response times. He stated, "Increased police on the streets, increased response times to when we do call. I think those are all really simple things that we can get in place quicker if the mayor and the city leaders put this into action." He urged Mayor Wilson to consider the issue from a parent's perspective, stating, "You don't want your kids walking by people with needles laying on the ground or walking into your business." He concluded by expressing urgency for change, stating, "We just have to make the change now. I've been saying this for six years — we just have to make a change, or we're just going to lose the city."</p><p>Fox News Digital reached out to Mayor Wilson and the Seattle Police Department for comment but did not receive an immediate response.</p>