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.
Chinatown-ID Residents Skeptical Wednesday morning, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell will announce new investments and partnerships with The Asian American Foundation and Amazon to help improve public safety and help revitalize business in Chinatown-ID. But a community coalition led by Tanya Woo is only cautiously optimistic since this community has become the city’s human dumping ground and remains ravaged by crime, chaos, and death. Each day, Asian American grandmas have to walk through this gauntlet of drug addicts and maneuver around the black market of stolen goods on King Street. “The police here just kind of chase them away, and like, two hours later, they come back,” says one resident. Right across the street is Ho Mai Park. Instead of laughter Read More ›
“He Said, ‘They’re Coming,’ and He Ran…and Jumped.” Witnesses say a homeless man staying at the Salvation Army shelter in Seattle jumped off a nearby bridge. Unclear what triggered him. This all happened at the corner of 5th Ave & Dearborn St near the border of SODO and Chinatown-ID. He survived.
Human Dumping Ground I stepped away from Seattle drug den coverage for just one week. I thought maybe things were getting better in hot spots like Little Saigon. I was wrong. It’s worse than ever and the city has zero lasting solutions. The current plan is not working.
Hopes Dwindle The notorious DESC Navigation Center in Seattle’s Little Saigon is now closed. Neighbors hope this move will keep away crime and open-air drug use. But people are now camping on the lawn and setting fires outside this former homeless shelter. Will Mayor Bruce Harrell step up to help or will this abandoned building be seized by the addicts? Encounter with DESC Staff One of my many encounters with DESC staff. They don’t like to be exposed.
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 Massive law enforcement presence all week in Seattle’s Chinatown-ID. Officers from SPD and King County Sheriff’s Office are targeting the notorious 12th Ave & Jackson St. drug dens in Little Saigon. They’re even going after people on side streets. Authorities say they have made dozens of arrests for open-air drug use. In many cases, the men and women are repeat offenders with warrants. It’s not perfect by any means, but there is no doubt it is looking better. For how long, only time will tell. It’s amazing what a public shaming campaign can do to motivate city leaders. Community Activists Demand Action A brand new coalition is forming to defend Seattle’s Chinatown-ID. These community activists say politicians at the Read More ›
“This Would Not Happen If This Were the Beautiful Waterfront” A brand new coalition is forming to defend Seattle’s Chinatown-ID. These community activists say politicians at the local and state level have failed them on public safety. They’re demanding more resources and attention to address crime, chaos, and death on the streets. Meanwhile, conditions in other parts of the city have improved. Which is why an elder went up to the podium today and torched Mayor Bruce Harrell by saying, “Mayor Harrell, he’s Asian American, does he give a sh*t? I don’t think so.” The Petition As I have reported now for the past year, Mayor Harrell is losing support in the CID because it has turned into a human Read More ›
“Don’t Talk to Him” Not sure if this DESC Navigation Center worker shows up for Monday’s press conference in Little Saigon. I don’t think she likes all the attention and scrutiny.
New Chinatown-ID is fighting back and demanding more support and security from Seattle leaders. Monday morning, community activists will be holding a press conference at 10:00 am in front of DESC’s Navigation Center. This controversial “low barrier” homeless shelter is being blamed for attracting crime, chaos, and death to this neighborhood. That’s because drug use is allowed and supplies are freely given out without any requirements for treatment. This past weekend a hoard of addicts overwhelmed the sidewalk right outside this facility, corroborating neighbor concerns. It was supposed to finally close by the end of January. But Mayor Bruce Harrell delayed the move until March, enraging neighbors and biz owners who have already sacrificed so much. Press Release Leading the Read More ›