Maybe they have figured out if they let prostitutes loiter, they will catch a bunch of Johns.  Hope not, but we don't know yet.

They repealed two ordinances that tilted enforcement toward the "dealers". Do you suppose the cops needed an incentive to arrest a dealer vs. a customer? Is the customer loitering for 2 minutes more guilty than the dealer loitering for an hour? These laws were enacted by legislators wanting to look good. Now, they are being repealed by legislators wanting to look good. Targeting minorities is the current call to action. In practice, it might be symbolic. But, IMO, if it cuts into the failure of mass incarceration, it's probably a good thing.

I wouldn't read a lot into this just yet.

 
I would like to be more optimistic, but after the way Seattle has gone after both hookers and Johns over the last few years forgive me for being skeptical

IME from visiting Seattle for business over a 25 year span of time, city leaders and LE focus is on making the city look good to tourists and businesses who want to operate or visit the area.
.
So laws structured to make prostitution invisible prevail over laws to actually prevent or deter all prostitution.  That means  lots of laws on street hookers, pimps, and johns, which get updated as the political wind blows around the city. But there is little notice or care about what happens off the street - in private residences, upscale hotels, massage parlors, and strip clubs.  
.
Socially liberal and SW advocacy groups in San Francisco have also been advocating for decriminalization, usually starting with efforts to 1st deprioritize then just stop enforcement of arresting and prosecuting street hookers. The approach is similar to Canada's legislative philosophy of "harm reduction" rather than punishment, and I fully support it.  
.
Life is good.
.
The Cat

It's possible that street walkers might be over-represented in certain ethnicities. Possibly they may go after upscale more aggressively to "even the score."  

Seattle has bigger fish to fry right now, than arresting innocent adults.  Like CHAZ.  I'm sure once CHAZ is brought back under law and order, Seattle LE will resume their hunt.  Anything involving sex and cash is low-hanging fruit for them.