theft

Maria DeSersa was 34 years old when she was found dead of a fentanyl overdose in an apartment laundry facility in Federal Way, Washington. She had been a defendant in 24 cases over the span of seven years. Research Fellow and Program Coordinator Marsha Michaelis explores Maria’s tragic story to expose the failures of a lenient criminal justice system and what happens when we treat the addicted and the homeless like outlaws instead of providing them with the help and accountability that could set their lives on a new trajectory. Transcript “Babe, get up.” Those were the last words ever spoken to Maria DeSersa. But she couldn’t get up. She lay late last March on the grimy laminate floor of Read More ›

Sad Situation The Bellevue community watch volunteers are doing an invaluable service by hunting down crooks who ransack local grocery stores. On many occasions, the stolen goods end up being sold for pennies on the dollar in Seattle so drug addicts can buy their next fix. But sometimes the thieves are local grandmas, like this woman who allegedly loaded up her cart with all kinds of stolen items. The community watch volunteer was firm but gentle. In the end, she pretty much admitted to the crime and inquired about getting more government subsidies.

Independent journalist Kevin Dahlgren investigates the homeless situation in San Francisco’s Tenderloin and Mission neighborhoods. “The entire time I’ve been on the Tenderloin, I have interacted with hundreds of homeless people,” explains Dahlgren. “I have yet to encounter one outreach worker.”

From QFC to the Black Market Here we go again. Bellevue crime watch volunteers say repeat offenders love the QFC in Crossroads. Late Monday evening, these alleged crooks stole multiple items but got away. They are apparently a notorious couple that operates between Seattle’s Chinatown-ID and various parts of Bellevue. Have You Seen Them? Be on the look out for these alleged Bellevue bandits. Targeting Bellevue Once again, the criminals love Bellevue because residents have a false sense of security living here. Compared to Seattle, it is safer. But the crooks know many people let their guard down. So this affluent Eastside city will remain a target until cops make more busts and parade these idiots in public.

Under Siege Bellevue is under siege. A steady flow of criminals from outside the city are targeting local stores. In many instances homeless drug addicts get around using the bus, ransack businesses, then sell the items for pennies on the dollar in Seattle to purchase fentanyl. This has been going on for years. But community watch members now say it’s getting worse. Here is one of several incidents Monday evening at the QFC grocery store in the Crossroads neighborhood. Good Samaritans stepped in and forced an alleged crook to return stolen items. After being confronted, this Black woman kept saying, “I’m a n*gger. I’m a n*igger.” Some may call this vigilante justice. But there is limited security and not enough Read More ›

Cops on the Scene Bellevue cops are on the scene at the QFC supermarket in the Crossroads neighborhood. Witnesses say a drunk Hispanic male wearing a black jacket caused a disturbance Wednesday evening and tried to steal a case of beer. Cops just arrested him on the spot. Store workers say they deal with thefts every single day and most of the suspects do not live in the city. There are also reports of many illegals living in this part of Bellevue. I have no doubt @EROSeattle already knows about this.

Taking Matters into Their Own Hands Bellevue resident Quintin Chi and concerned neighbors have started a community watch at local grocery stores in the city. They say places like Walgreens, Fred Meyer, and QFC supermarkets are being ransacked every night by homeless drug addicts. Chi says the crooks then board a bus to Seattle and sell the stolen items at the notorious 12th Ave & Jackson St. drug den in Chinatown-ID. While store workers commend these good samaritans, Chi says he’s frustrated because Bellevue PD calls them vigilantes and recently advised them not to get involved in criminal apprehensions.

When Mount Baker neighbors in Seattle recently documented 49 tent encampments and 5 vehicle encampments within just a few blocks of schools, transit stations, grocery stores, parks and daycare centers, they weren’t conducting an academic exercise. They were mapping a crisis that has made their neighborhood unlivable. Their experience reveals everything wrong with Seattle’s approach to homelessness and public safety. I’ve spent years cleaning camps through We Heart Seattle, and I can tell you that what’s happening in Mount Baker isn’t unique. It’s the result of policies prioritizing the appearance of compassion over actual results. The question isn’t whether clearing downtown encampments and pushing problems to neighborhoods like Mount Baker is racist—though it absolutely impacts communities of color disproportionately. The Read More ›

Revolving Door Even after aggressive sweeps, most of the drug encampments are back in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood. The game of Whack-a-mole continues as Mayor Bruce Harrell struggles to find long-term solutions to address this street crisis. Ironically, the latest hot mess is right outside the notorious Downtown Emergency Service Center Hobson Place building for homeless drug addicts. This taxpayer funded blight on the community is a leader in 911 call volume and no one is required to go into drug addiction treatment programs. It’s just another DESC revolving door of crime and chaos in the city.