For the first time since 1970, June passed in Seattle without a single homicide. Police link it to new approaches. Meanwhile, the Dutch Bros chain will open its first location in the city in a space left behind by a closed Starbucks—an illustration of changing coffee trends. And the baseball team the Mariners are returning to the “piggyback” strategy: this Saturday, Logan Gilbert and Emerson Hancock will split the game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Seattle Had No Homicides in June for the First Time Since 1970
Seattle finished an entire June without a single homicide for the first time in more than 50 years. As KOMO News reports, over the 30 days of the month, no one was killed by criminals. It’s a milestone for the metropolitan area, which in 2023 saw a record 74 homicides. This year, there have been just 15 homicides, continuing a downward trend.
Seattle Police Chief Sean Barnes said: “From June 1 to June 30, no one in our city lost their life to murder. It’s a great reminder of what we can achieve when we work together and row in the same direction.” The last time Seattle saw a June with no homicides was in 1970. Barnes attributes the success to a shift in approach: “We’re trying to address the root causes. That’s why we’re encouraging officers to get out of their cars, talk to people, and build relationships with business owners.”
Seattle isn’t alone in this trend—fewer homicides are being seen in major cities across the country. In addition to reducing crime, police have also become better at solving cases. Seattle’s homicide clearance rate reached 72%, while the national average is around 60%, according to FBI data. “People are being held accountable. They go to prison for taking the life of another person. That resonates—it creates a deterrent effect, and people may think twice before committing a homicide. We need to keep doing that,” Barnes said.
In an interview with KOMO News, the police chief also pointed to the achievements of detectives and new technology, such as public safety cameras connected to the city’s Real Time Crime Center. These measures help increase clearance rates.
At the same time, the city is stepping up efforts to tackle crime hot spots—particularly public drug use in the Little Saigon area and a spike in prostitution in north Seattle. Barnes also paid special attention to police behavior during the FIFA World Cup. “People from other countries came up to me and said, ‘I see your officers—I took a photo,’ and showed me the pictures on their phones. That’s exactly what we’re aiming for. We want to be a department that reflects our city. I’m so proud of our department. I’m so proud of our officers,” Barnes said, emphasizing that engagement with fans has been an example of successful community policing. During one of the largest international events, officers maintained a visible presence and built trust not only with residents, but also with visitors to the city. According to Barnes, that strategy is what led to the historic June with no homicides.
A New Move in the Coffee War: Dutch Bros Opens Its First Seattle Location in a Former Starbucks
The Oregon-based coffee chain Dutch Bros has announced the opening of its first location in Seattle—choosing a former Starbucks coffee shop as its site. According to MyNorthwest, the new venue will be located in the SODO neighborhood at 4115 Fourth Avenue S, and will open in the fourth quarter of 2026. The situation itself looks symbolic: a rising competitor is taking over space vacated by an industry giant. This isn’t just a move—it’s a clear example of how the region’s coffee landscape is changing, where Starbucks once launched its triumphant run.
The roughly 1,800-square-foot space (about 167 square meters) previously belonged to Starbucks and had its own drive-thru. In October 2025, that location was closed as part of a major network optimization effort, when Starbucks announced the closure of at least 28 stores in Washington state, including nine in Seattle. Iconic places were even cut: the company’s first-ever Reserve Roastery in Capitol Hill and a Reserve store near the future Dutch Bros location in SODO. At the time, Starbucks said it was closing locations where it “can’t create a physical environment that meets the expectations of customers and partners, or where it doesn’t see a path to financial efficiency.” The company expected that, by the end of the fiscal year, the number of stores in North America would decline by 124, to 18,300.
Dutch Bros, by contrast, keeps expanding aggressively. Founded in 1992 in Grants Pass, Oregon, the company now has more than 1,000 locations nationwide. It entered the Puget Sound region in 2016, opening its first location in Everett and then expanding to Bremerton, Fife, Marysville, Renton, and Chehalis. Now Seattle is next—right in the heart of the competitor’s stronghold. To turn the former Starbucks location into a Dutch Bros shop, the company will carry out a major renovation: replacing plumbing, modernizing electrical and mechanical systems, and doing a modest exterior refresh with updated paint and signage. The most notable change is that the dining area will be converted into a so-called “quick transition area” of 290 square feet. The term appears in building permits and refers to a quick-service zone where customers can grab their orders fast without getting out of the car or lingering inside—reflecting a popular format among modern drive-through coffee shops designed for speed and motorists.
The situation is full of irony: Starbucks dominated Seattle for decades, and now its former space is being taken by a fast-rising player specializing in a more democratic, younger format. Dutch Bros is known for its bold design, energetic baristas, and a heavy emphasis on drive-thru, with almost no seating inside. That sharply contrasts with Starbucks’ image in recent years, when it tried to create a “third place” where guests would stay for longer. The 2026 opening can be seen as a test of staying power: can Oregon’s aggressive competitor win loyalty in the Washington capital, where Starbucks is perceived almost like a local landmark? At the same time, it underscores a broader trend: the coffee market is shifting toward speed and convenience, while Starbucks is forced to shrink its network and rethink its strategy. If Dutch Bros succeeds, it will send a strong signal across the entire industry.
The “Piggyback” Strategy Returns: Gilbert and Hancock Reunite With the Mariners
The “piggyback” strategy in Seattle isn’t dead—it’s just taken a short break. Starting this Saturday at T-Mobile Park, in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Mariners will once again use the tactic that many fans dislike. As manager Dan Wilson explained at a pregame press conference, the starting pitcher will be Logan Gilbert, and his replacement will be Emerson Hancock. The original plan was for this pairing to have been used last Saturday in Cleveland as well, but the starting pitchers needed extra rest and the schedule shifted slightly.
The strategy is straightforward: two pitchers split one game to reduce strain on their arms. Gilbert is expected to throw roughly 65–75 pitches, after which he will hand the ball to Hancock. Wilson said the decision was made jointly with the starting pitchers a few weeks ago, and that there’s another similar paired appearance planned before the All-Star Break. Presumably, the next pairing could be Bryce Woo and George Kirby, but Wilson didn’t make specific promises, saying everything would depend on the situation. Despite fan skepticism, the approach isn’t new: the Mariners have already done four piggyback outings with the duo of Bryce Miller and Luis Castillo, and in those games, they won two and lost two.
The team is also happy to have Luke Raley back. He missed three games due to discomfort in his forearm, aggravated during a swing in Cleveland. Raley is already wearing a compression sleeve, and Wilson said he may cut back on pregame work in the batting cage to avoid further irritation. For shortstop J.P. Crawford, though, this Saturday will be special: he will take the field for the 1,000th game of his MLB career. Of those, 928 have been with the Mariners, which is the franchise’s tenth-highest total in team history. Crawford also holds the club record for games at shortstop. Wilson called the achievement huge, emphasizing the player’s consistency at a demanding position.
In addition, the Sunday finale of the series against Toronto will be exclusive to the Peacock streaming service—part of MLB’s agreement with NBC. Fans without a subscription will have to find other ways to watch the game. Details on the pitching strategy and roster updates are available in the original article from The Seattle Times.
