Black Market

New For the past few weeks, the entire news cycle has been dominated by protests and social unrest. But there are still major stories happening in Seattle that the politicians don’t want you to see. Over the weekend, I spent several hours in the usual downtown hot spots. Unfortunately for the residents of District 7, the black market of stolen goods and drugs dens are raging out of control on 3rd Ave & Pike St, especially in the late evening hours. McStabby’s on Pine St. remains a mess and dealers are selling drugs all over Belltown. Meanwhile, no sign of Mayor Bruce Harrell or Councilmember Bob Kettle. They should be out here in person, walking the streets to find better Read More ›

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced a $1 million public-private partnership to revitalize Chinatown-ID. Big money coming in from The Asian American Foundation Program started this month. Look how it’s going so far.

New Late Tuesday evening, I wanted to check on Little Saigon in Chinatown-ID. There’s been a massive law enforcement push to clear the streets of drug addicts and the black market of stolen goods. 12th Ave & Jackson St remains clear. But all the action has moved to King St and Weller St. Last month, Mayor Harrell decided to give the problematic DESC Navigation Center more time to move. That means CID residents will have to put up with crime and drug dealing for a couple more months. Good deal…not.

New After months of positive progress, parts of downtown Seattle have regressed. Look what’s happening on a Tuesday evening! The drug dens have come roaring back and the black market of stolen goods is thriving at the corner of 3rd Ave & Pike St. But now the hoard has moved over to Walgreens and Piroshky Bakery. Councilmember Bob Kettle and Downtown Seattle must ask for consistent patrols at all hours of the day. Otherwise, this place will turn into a wasteland. Btw, no doubt this is spillover from recent crackdowns in Chinatown-ID. The lawlessness just moves from one neighborhood to another. Consistent enforcement is the only way to get ahead of this crowd. The addicts must get into treatment. More Read More ›

Breaking Chinatown-ID residents are furious and ready to protest after Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell delays closure of controversial DESC shelter for homeless drug addicts in Little Saigon. Community advocates say this “low barrier” facility is a magnet for crime, chaos, and death. Look at this hoard of addicts smoking and dealing fentanyl. “There is about 30 to 40 to 50 people — I can’t tell, they’re all massed together — standing right outside on the corner,” describes former City Councilmember Tanya Woo. Others are starting fires to stay warm on the corner of 12th Avenue and Weller Street. “They’re not really homeless people, they’re just people who are selling goods, buying stolen stuff, and then using drugs,” says community activist Read More ›

Tipping Point Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is losing Chinatown-ID. Numerous business owners say Harrell has prioritized the downtown shopping core over this predominantly Asian American neighborhood. Despite warnings from community advocates, most of the open-air drug use, crime, and chaos from 3rd Ave & Pike St has been allowed to move into Little Saigon. Numerous CID biz owners are planning to leave the neighborhood by the end of the year or possibly file a class action lawsuit against the city.

As holiday shoppers pack downtown Seattle’s retail core, Little Saigon is dying. The only thing thriving here is the black market of stolen goods and the drug deals. Councilmember Tammy Morales virtue signals from the council dais and says she stands for BIPOC communities. But apparently Asian Americans are the wrong minority and are not deserving of her help. Morales’ CID district is on life support but she is nowhere to be found. I think it’s time for Mayor Bruce Harrell to finally follow through and clean up this neighborhood for good. The rest of downtown is getting activated, but part of that equation apparently means dump all the drug addicts and homeless in one of the most vulnerable minority Read More ›