But in April, Hayes, who has been the operations lieutenant at the East Precinct for four and a half years (serving under four captains), will move downtown to a newly created position announced last week by Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske. Hayes will become Police Department's first director of community relations, which, among other things, will involve overseeing media relations, working on community-outreach efforts and directing the department's community police teams. Hayes will be specifically tasked with working on issues regarding youth violence. He'll report to Kerlikowske.
But the upcoming job is in many ways terra incognita, which holds considerable appeal for Hayes. Since it's a new position there is considerable opportunity from the start to confront issues with new approaches and search for creative solutions. He relishes the challenge.
Hayes recently celebrated 26 years as a Seattle Police officer. But joining the police department was not his earliest professional goal. Born and raised in Seattle, Hayes graduated from the University of Washington with degrees in welfare management and women's studies. He later earned a master's degree in social work from the university.
"I'd always been planning a career as a social worker," he said. "The challenge of working with kids in tough circumstances was always something I wanted to do."
After college he worked with Catholic Community Services and soon found himself in a new position as a crisis counselor and family-reconciliation worker with the state Department of Social and Health Services. The job sent him out in all directions of King County, working with extremely high-risk youths until full-time case workers could be found.
Being a social worker exposed him to kids who had frequent issues with the police. Such exposure created an interest in gaining an understanding of the police perspective in often complicated domestic and youth issues.
"I joined the police force to learn what it would take to get kids, social workers and police to be at the same table," he said. "And I loved it from the start. In those years, the police were on one side, and social workers on the other. I felt I could help bring the two together as a police officer."
He'd seen families hit hard by crime. And something clicked. As he learned what law enforcement was about he discovered that staying on the force was a good fit for him.
"I got deeper into the larger issues of crime, and I started to ask how we can stop issues from taking place, how we can prevent them," he said. "As a cop, I had greater access to resources, greater authority and greater latitude to try new ideas to help kids stay safe."
Hayes has worked a broad range of assignments during his career. He's worked in crime prevention, community building, spent time in the gang unit and worked as a hostage negotiator. At the East Precinct, Hayes was challenged by the wide variety of issues he faced in the city's densest precinct. His position required a lot of juggling, as well as considerable diplomacy.
"You walk outside the precinct door at 12th and Pine, look in four directions and face four different issues. I've tried to think outside the box, and I've been fortunate to work under captains that have let me try different things."
Hot spots
Hayes pointed out that there are no easy or simple answers to solving long-standing crime issues. Solutions take time as well. But he said he is gratified to see two areas where the police made a meaningful difference on Capitol Hill.
In one case, he's pointed out that Cal Anderson Park has not become an oasis for drug users and homeless youths as many predicted when the park reopened in September 2005. He worked with parks department staff, neighborhood activists and East Precinct officers to make sure the park did not suffer neglect and inattention after the ribbon- cutting.
"We made good on our word of making sure the park would not revert to the way it was before the reconstruction," he said. "All and all, the park has remained a safe place for everyone to enjoy and participate in."
Almost immediately upon arrival at the East Precinct Hayes was tasked with trying to solve the longstanding trouble spot around 20th Avenue East and East Madison Street. An area with chronic crime issues, much of it drug-related and much of it associated with the Deano's nightclub (later renamed Chocolate City), Hayes was encouraged to create different approaches.
"There had been problems there for decades. It was obvious that arrests alone weren't doing the job. We really had to try something different," he said. "That situation was a test of my philosophy that all problems can be solved and of my ability to bring everyone to the same table."
Hayes spoke with neighbors, business owners, other police officers. He had to convince stakeholders that the police were going to really work the problem. Walking through the area with several officers, Hayes asked numerous people loitering in the area - many who had been arrested on multiple occasions - what it would take to help them - and the situation - change.
"They told me that they needed treatment, jobs, all sorts of things," he said, "and I thought we could help facilitate that."
Hayes initiated the Get Off the Streets (GOTS) program, in which police would meet once a week in the alley behind Deano's, and later inside the club. The officers helped connect many of those hanging out in the area with social services, treatment and bureaucratic services like getting a drivers license and dealing with outstanding warrants. The Seattle Neighborhood Group took part, as did a liaison from the City Attorney's Office. There was a kind of unofficial amnesty during the gatherings.
"It meant that people could come and talk to the police freely," Hayes said. "Did this solve the problem? No, but it was part of a solution. And the neighborhood supported our efforts. The GOTS program was part of the puzzle."
Hayes added that area has a completely different criminal profile now, dramatically so since Chocolate City lost its liquor license more than a year ago. The program continues to operate on Tuesdays, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at 23rd Avenue East and East Union Street.
Hayes said he was thrilled with the prospects of his new position, though leaving the East Precinct is not easy for him. He's relished his time on the Hill, the people he's met, the relationships he's formed.
"Each step along the way I've worked at building bridges. It's been a priority with me to try and work with everyone I can to help create stronger communities," he said.
Doug Schwartz is the editor of the Capitol Hill Times. He can be reached at editor@capitolhilltimes.com or 461-1308.
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