The Public Safety subseries is the largest in Rice's subject files. One topic covered in detail is the numerous investigations undertaken after the 1984 stabbing death of a police officer, followed by the shooting of the assailant (Robert Baldwin) by Seattle police after a lengthy standoff. Files also document the development of an ordinance governing the police department's intelligence operations. This ordinance, meant to protect citizens from unlawful police spying, passed in 1979. Another subject discussed in the subseries is strategies to combat graffiti. An ordinance that would have banned the sale of aerosol paint to minors was eventually defeated. The "rockhouse" files cover citizen concerns about drug abuse and crack houses. Numerous other public safety issues are represented in the subseries, including domestic violence, pull tabs, public defenders, curfews, and parking meters.