The Informed Citizen – Vigilante Justice in Seattle

In this eye-opening episode, host Philip Lindholm sits down with investigative journalist Jonathan Choe and newly elected Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank to tackle one of the most disturbing trends in the Pacific Northwest: the rise of vigilante justice in Seattle. With lawlessness on the rise and faith in public institutions waning, citizens are beginning to take matters into their own hands—and this episode explores why.

Episode Highlights:

Seattle’s Descent into Lawlessness

From teens wielding axes to open-air drug markets andemboldened squatters, Jonathan Choe reveals what his reporting has uncovered on the streets of Seattle. He describes a city where criminal behavior is often met with little to no consequence—and where both residents and law enforcement feel powerless.

Broken Systems, Demoralized Forces

Sheriff Keith Swank explains how decades of policy shifts have created a vacuum of enforcement. Felonies downgraded to misdemeanors, understaffed police departments, and lenient prosecution have undermined public safety and shaken morale among officers.

Why Vigilantism Is on the Rise

As public trust evaporates, homeowners and landlords areturning to private security—or taking justice into their own hands. From landlords evicting squatters at gunpoint to citizens threatening to 'bring the homies,' the line between justice and revenge is becoming dangerously thin.

Addiction, Homelessness, and Misdiagnosed Causes

The conversation turns to root causes. Both Swank and Choereject the 'more affordable housing will fix it' narrative, pointing instead to addiction, untreated mental illness, and a lack of accountability. They argue that real compassion includes intervention and involuntary treatment—notenabling behavior in the name of tolerance.

A Tale of Two Counties

Swank contrasts Seattle’s decline with his new leadership inPierce County, where he’s reforming the Sheriff’s Office from within. He explains how he’s building trust, elevating qualified leaders, and restoring morale to ensure Pierce County doesn’t become the next King County.

Case Study: The Squatter Who Stayed

In a stunning example, Choe recounts the case of SteveHickey—a social media influencer and former fire commissioner who illegally occupied a million-dollar home for nearly a year, using legal loopholes and bankruptcy filings to evade eviction. The rightful homeowner? Homeless. Thesystem? Broken.

Takeaways:

This gripping episode is a must-listen for anyone concernedabout justice, safety, and the social contract. It doesn’t just diagnose the problem—it demands that we rethink what real public safety looks like, who enforces it, and what happens when they don’t.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and notprofessional advice.

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• The Informed Citizen Website: https://theinformedcitizen.com/

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Credits:

• Produced in partnership with Terry Wise & Associates

• Music: Sound and Vision, “This Party Bussin”

• Editing & Post-Production: Kevin Brady

This podcast is for informational purposes only and not professional advice.