drug scene id
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Open Drug Scene and Black Market Thrive in International District, Not all are Homeless

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Same Scene in Little Saigon

There is no doubt the encampment sweeps on WSDOT (@WSDOT) properties in #Chinatown-ID have made a huge difference. No more tents or encampment fires. But the drug dealers, addicts, and the open air black market continues to thrive at bus stops along 12th Ave. in Little Saigon this weekend. Mayor Bruce Harrell (@MayorofSeattle) said this neighborhood would also be getting police emphasis patrols like 3rd Ave & Pike St. in the downtown core. But nothing is changing. The issues just ebb and flow.

I know virtually all the regulars out here. But the concern now, there are so many NEW FACES of addiction coming into this area. Councilmember Kshama Sawant (@cmkshama) reps Little Saigon and District 3 but she isn’t running again for her seat. She clearly doesn’t care about her constituents out here. But next year, Little Saigon will be part of District 2. If Councilmember Tammy Morales (@CMTammyMorales) plans to regain trust and credibility among #CID voters, she better focus on this part of her hood. I would give the same advice to the other council candidates. #Seattle @GovInslee @KC_RHA @kcexec @CMSaraNelson @CMTMosqueda @seattlecouncil @KCCouncil

They Said It

The Mayor’s (@MayorofSeattle) Downtown Activation Plan clearly focusing more resources on #Chinatown-ID. But again, no timeline on when all this goes into play and ultimately what success really looks like for this neighborhood. But the residents and biz owners will take whatever they can get at this point. #Seattle

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.