After a slow start last year, Seattle has stepped up its use of newly established “stay out” zones, barring individuals from parts of the city following arrests for drug- and prostitution-related offenses.

The City Council passed the politically controversial zones, drawn around parts of the city with histories of drug use and prostitution, into law near the end of 2024.

In their first three months, the zones went mostly unused. Since then, however, city prosecutors have requested and received 115 orders telling individuals to stay out of parts of downtown, Capitol Hill, Chinatown International District, Belltown and Pioneer Square following drug-related arrests. An additional 32 orders were passed down by judges barring individuals from parts of Aurora Avenue following prostitution-rela

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