Screenshot 2023-06-28 at 9.59.18 AM
Fix Homelessness How to rebuild human lives
Blog

Elderly Face Danger on Public Transportation in International District’s Black Market

View at Twitter
Share
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Flipboard
Print
Email

Failing Neighborhood

How can the city of #Seattle allow drug addicts to take over #Chinatown-ID? 12th Ave and Jackson St. is out of control on Tuesday evening. It isn’t even a weekend night, but the black market of stolen goods is lit! Large cans of Almond Roca for $2 dollars. Rib eye steaks being sold for $5 bucks a piece. Fentanyl foil everywhere. People zonked out of their minds. Councilmember Tammy Morales (@CMTammyMorales) has given up on this part of her district. Meanwhile, I had to escape on to a King County Metro bus after some enraged dudes started coming at me. This is truly “TAMMY TOWN.”

When is it Going to Stop?

That’s what Asian American senior citizens in Seattle’s #Chinatown-ID are asking as they navigate through the gauntlet of open air drug use and the black market of stolen goods, thriving near 12th Ave and Jackson St. Look at this series of photos taken by a King County Metro (@KingCountyMetro) rider.

Many elderly have to take public transportation to get basics like groceries and prescription drugs. They’re asking once again, “Why do criminals and drug addicts have more rights than us?” Would you want your grandparents facing this reality on the streets? Meanwhile, no one has seen D2 Councilmember Tammy Morales (@CMTammyMorales)board the bus at this #CID stop. Her constituents say she’s never around unless it’s for a photo opportunity.

Zombie Land

No words. This is what our Asian American seniors are facing in #Chinatown-ID. This neighborhood has turned into a human dumping ground under D2 Councilmember Tammy Morales’ (@CMTammyMorales ) watch. #Seattle

Public Transportation is a Risk

Why would anyone want to ride King County Metro (@KingCountyMetro)buses at this 12th and Jackson St stop? Here’s a DM one rider just sent me along with these photos.

Tammy Town

Meanwhile, Councilmember Tammy Morales (@CMTammyMorales) is at a ground breaking ceremony on Jackson St a few blocks away, surrounded by safety and security. Will she walk by the drug dens to check on her other constituents, especially the elderly?

Jonathan Choe

Journalist and Senior Fellow, Center on Wealth and Poverty
Jonathan Choe is a journalist and Senior Fellow with Discovery Institute's Center on Wealth and Poverty, covering homelessness issues for its Fix Homelessness initiative. Prior to joining Discovery, Choe spent several years as one of the lead reporters at KOMO-TV, consistently the top rated television station in Seattle. His in depth stories on crime and deep dive investigations into the homeless crisis led to measurable results in the community, including changes in public policy. Choe has more than two decades of experience in television news behind the scenes and in front of the camera for ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, and Tribune. He has also been nominated and honored with multiple industry awards including an Emmy. Choe spent several years teaching classes on emerging media and entrepreneurship to under privileged youth in inner city Chicago. As an independent journalist, Choe also contributes regularly to the Mill Creek View and Lynnwood Times and has reported on exclusive stories in the past year for Daily Wire and The Postmillennial.