1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. a) How will the Seattle budget, which was passed overwhelmingly by the city council last week, affect the police department?
b) Do you agree with the decision to move these positions out of the police department? Explain your answer.

3. Re-read Mayor Durkan’s statement in paragraph #4. What do you think of her viewpoint? -
a) Will cutting the department’s budget allow police “to meet 911 response and investigative needs throughout the city?” Explain your answer.
b) What do you think the mayor means when she states that the cuts to the police budget “acknowledges and addresses the disproportionate impacts policing has had on communities of color, particularly Black communities”?
c) Do you think cutting the police budget will have a positive, negative or no impact on the police department’s ability to protect and serve the residents of the city? Explain your answer.

4. What additional provisions are included in Seattle’s budget?

5. a) How has the murder rate, as well as the burglary rate, changed in Seattle in the past two years?
b) What effect, if any, do you think the ongoing protests and opposition to the police (by citizens as well as the city council and mayor) have on the crime rate?

6. a) By how much did local activists want the police budget to be cut?
b) Do you support or oppose this idea? Explain your answer.

CHALLENGE: Police, government officials, billionaire tech CEO’s, students, teachers, employees, bosses, citizens… - all operate under the rule of law. What do you know about the Rule of Law? - What is it?