Little Saigon

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.

“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 ›

New Late Saturday evening, there are way more cops patrolling the drug hot spots in Seattle’s Little Saigon neighborhood. But the addicts keep moving to nearby side streets and now it’s turning into a game of Whac-A-Mole. Here’s the play-by-play. Broken Windows Earlier, a Little Saigon neighbor had his car windows busted out. This is what happens if you leave your vehicle on these streets for an extended period of time. Lawless in Seattle.

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 ›

Overdose City Early Sunday morning, first responders saved the life of a fentanyl addict tweaking at the corner of 12th Ave & Jackson St. in Seattle’s Little Saigon neighborhood. The protocol is transport them to Harborview Medical Center and then stabilize. But this woman will likely refuse treatment and be released back on the streets. Why do our politicians keep allowing this insane cycle to continue? How You Can Help If you believe our independent video driven journalism makes a difference, please consider a donation so we can bring you even more dynamic coverage in the new year. Donate | Fix Homelessness

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 ›

Little Saigon in Chinatown-ID is absolutely broken. It remains Seattle’s worst drug scene. Making matters worse, all the insanity of 3rd Ave & Pike St. has been pushed into this Asian American neighborhood. Seattle Fire crews are constantly responding to fentanyl OD’s and mental health disasters continue to play out in the streets. Mayor Bruce Harrell’s Downtown Activation Plan is not working here. Councilmember Tammy Morales remains MIA. Mom & pop businesses continue to flee. Social media influencer Nick Shirley is in the city this weekend to document it all.

Seattle’s Little Saigon neighborhood remains a disaster. Drug use is rampant at all hours of the day and the addicts hate being filmed. One dude chased me today after waking up from his fentanyl induced stupor. I managed to escape on to a King County Metro bus. But the moment I entered, passengers were complaining about addicts smoking fetty on public transportation. Can’t make this stuff up. On Tuesday night, the Seattle City Council passed the “Stay Out of Drug Areas” ordinance also known as SODA zones. It would prevent people from re-entering parts of downtown Seattle including Little Saigon if they’ve been tied to drug crimes. Mayor needs to sign it ASAP so cops can start cracking down.