The Future of Public Safety in Seattle

Crime. Culture. Change. Seattle’s Chief of Police, Shon Barnes, isn’t shying away from tough conversations nor situations.  He has made local and national news saying that he'd rather go to jail than agree to the Seattle police force assisting ICE agents and "will not be quiet" if the National Guard is deployed.

So join us on January 29 to hear how Chief Shon Barnes is tackling these national issues as well as the city’s biggest public safety challenges head-on: rebuilding a depleted force, driving culture change inside SPD, and using data and technology to make Seattle safer.   From the Real Time Crime Center to smarter, evidence-based policing, Barnes is reshaping how safety works in our city. This is your chance to hear from Seattle’s top cop—unfiltered, unscripted, and ready to answer your questions.

This is your chance to go beyond the headlines. Hear directly from Chief Barnes about what’s working, what’s next, and how Seattle can lead in 21st-century policing.

Public safety isn’t someone else’s problem—it’s everyone’s business.

We expect this to be a sold out event, so register now to be part of the conversation that’s defining the future of public safety in Seattle.  As a private event, no media or recordings will be allowed.

Who’s Invited:

• HBS alumni (all programs)

• Ivy++ (Stanford, Wharton, Booth, Columbia, MIT, etc.)

• Harvard undergrad/grad alumni

• Your guests

Event Details

Date: Thursday, January 29, 2025

Time: 6:00pm – 8:30pm

Place: Columbia Center 701 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, 40th Floor

Price: $30

Shon Barnes, Seattle Chief of Police

Shon F. Barnes is a nationally recognized leader in crime reduction and community-police relations. In recognition of his contributions, Chief Barnes was honored as a National Institute of Justice, LEADS Scholar (Law Enforcement Advancement using Data and Science) for his innovative use of technology and scientific methods to combat crime. He previously served as the Chief of Police in Madison, Wisconsin and was the Director of Training and Professional Development for the Civilian Office of Police Accountability in Chicago, Illinois. Before that, Chief Barnes was the Deputy Chief of Police in Salisbury, North Carolina (2017-2020) and held the rank of Captain with the Greensboro Police Department, where he began his career as a patrol officer in the fall of 2000. He is also a council member on the National Police Institute’s Council on Policing Reforms and Race, a nonpartisan initiative dedicated to using research and evidence to address pressing issues in police reform. For Chief Barnes full bio click here

Finding the 40th Floor: on the ground floor (aka 5th Ave street level), look for the HBS club sign and representative who will usher you to the 40th Floor Sky Lobby where the event will take place

Parking: the easiest most accessible parking is in the Columbia Center's parking garage, but the parking is relatively expensive (e.g. ~$20).  If you're looking to save some money and don't mind a <5min walk, past attendees have used the following locations

• Diamond Parking immediately across the street (https://maps.app.goo.gl/TTy315Gy5NCu9Dcr6) 

• Butler Garage two blocks away as some of the cheapest parking in the area (https://maps.app.goo.gl/wx7wyaveTX8VXWuz5)

• SeaPark Garage adjacent to Columbia Tower, Seattle Court parking where there's typically availablity after working hours (https://maps.app.goo.gl/LESDFFw86qWFffwQ9) 

Event Contacts

‬Kyle Buffenmyer - kylebuffenmyer@gmail.com - ‪+1.717.201.0064