Seattle laws targeting drug use, prostitution take center stage in city attorney debate

Drug use and prostitution are some of the thorniest issues for Seattle leaders, especially those on the ballot this November. In the last couple of years, the city has tried to address these public safety concerns by creating no-go areas for people accused of drug- or prostitution-related crimes.

In September 2024, the Seattle City Council approved Stay Out of Drug Areas and Stay Out of Areas of Prostitution zones, otherwise known as SOAP/SODA zones. The measures, pushed by incumbent City Attorney Ann Davison, allow judges to order offenders to stay out of those hotspots.

The SOAP zone is mostly in North Seattle, along Aurora Avenue. SODA zones include Little Saigon, Capitol Hill, the University District, and much of downtown, including Belltown, Pioneer Square, and the Westlake areas.

Erika Evans, who is challenging Davison for her seat, is critical of SOAP and SODA zones. Evans claims the targeted criminal penalties push illicit activities to other areas of the city and don’t address root causes of drug use or sex work.

During KUOW’s city attorney debate, Davison defended her record, citing North Seattle’s well-known reputation as a prostitution hotspot, and noting that the SOAP ordinance is intended to target buyers and human traffickers.

“The SODA law’s intent is to foster the economic vitality of neighborhoods that have been deeply, deeply harmed by this type of activity on the streets, where people feel unsafe,” Davison said.

She added that she’s heard from community members that SOAP and SODA are working.

Evans has said she won’t enforce SOAP and SODA laws if she’s elected as city attorney. She said the laws don’t work.

“They're actually racist policies, and that's why they were repealed in 2020,” Evans said, referring to a pair of ordinances related to drug loitering and prostitution loitering that the council threw out five years ago.

“It was really unfortunate to see this being something championed back," she said. "We're seeing the results in... our neighborhoods. Things don't look better."

Evans also noted the majority of the current City Council has endorsed her, knowing her intention is not to enforce SOAP and SODA laws.

“We're not going to criminalize folks and put them in banishment zones for folks dealing with addiction or for folks that are unhoused,” Evans said. “We need to be providing services and treatments, and that's being a good public steward of our dollars.”

Listen to Evans and Davison debate Community Court alternatives, answer lightning round questions, and more here, or wherever you get your podcasts.