Bus Shelter Removed Due to Drug Use in International District, but Has it Helped?

Will it Make a Difference?

First weekend in #Chinatown-ID without the 12th Ave & Jackson St bus shelter. King County Metro (@KingCountyMetro) dismantled it because addicts were using it as a drug den and trash dump. Just to be clear, it is still a functional stop. But on rainy or snowy days, there will be no place to take cover.

Meanwhile, it’s good to see Seattle Police patrolling this area. But all the action continues to scatter onto side streets whenever officers show up. I recently spoke to SPD Captain Steve Strand who is one of the main points of contact for the #CID. He says many customers fueling the black market of stolen goods are the Chinese and Vietnamese grandmas and grandpas looking for a good deal.

Authorities are trying to disrupt demand by educating this immigrant community, but something is clearly getting lost in translation. #Seattle Btw, still no sign of Councilmember Tammy Morales (@cmtammymorales.) Homeless and drug crisis out of control in her district.

Final Look

The notices went up a couple weeks ago. REASON: “Ongoing safety issues and unsanitary conditions.” City and county leaders are trying to address one of the most notorious hot spots for drug dealing and sales of stolen merchandise.

Re-Focus on Chinatown-ID

Even during All-Star Week, this neighborhood did not get an extra boost in business. Crime, open air drug use, and lawlessness destroyed this Asian American community. The fans just used the place to park their cars. #Seattle

Human Tragedy

The fentanyl crisis continues to play out on multiple streets in Seattle, especially in places like #Chinatown-ID. A young man in his 20’s showed me the early stages of “TRANQ FENTANYL” eating away at his skin.