You might have passed by this shop walking around Belltown and wondered to yourself, how in the world are they staying in business?

Councilmember addresses growing street disorder

Proposals increase police presence, tighten laws and improve services

Seattle – Councilmember Tim Burgess unveiled a package of proposals this morning to address street crime and disorder. The announcement came during a Public Safety Forum hosted by the Downtown Seattle Association at the Market Theater.

 “The problems on our streets are complex and require a continuum of response,” said Councilmember Burgess. “None of these proposals by itself is the solution, but taken together they will help improve the quality of life for everyone on our streets.”

The proposals include a call for more fixed-beat police foot patrols, continued hiring of police officers to fully implement the Neighborhood Policing Plan, well-defined restrictions on aggressive solicitation, expanded scope and better coordination of street outreach services and more housing with onsite supportive social services to those in need.

“I want our downtown to be economically strong and safe for everyone. That’s important to our nearly 1,000 formerly homeless Plymouth residents living downtown....

Councilmember Burgess’ proposals fairly balance a police response with a social services response to enhance safety downtown. We at Plymouth Housing Group welcome these ideas,” said Paul Lambros, executive director of Plymouth Housing.

Over the past several months City Councilmembers have received numerous comments from residents and business owners about the negative effects of street disorder on the economic health of their neighborhoods. “Pioneer Square business owners and residents are very concerned about street crime and disorder. This part of downtown is teetering on the edge and the City should be forceful in its efforts to make our streets safer for everyone,” said Lisa Dixon, program director of the Pioneer Square Community Association.

 A 2009 survey of city residents found that nearly one-quarter avoid downtown because they fear for their personal safety. Major crimes in South Lake Union and the downtown core increased 22% from 2008 to 2009. Retail and entertainment businesses are feeling the effects of decreased patronage.

 "The nightlife and music industry want more police officers on our streets. We want aggressive solicitation stopped. Our customers and neighbors need to feel safe on our sidewalks as they enjoy our vibrant nightlife. These proposals are certainly a step in the right direction," said Mike Meckling, president of the Seattle Music and Nightlife Association.

More information on these proposals, including a detailed summary and frequently asked questions, is available at Councilmember Burgess’ city Web page, http://www.seattle.gov/council/burgess/.

Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21 and Webcast live on the City Council’s website at www.seattle.gov/council. Copies of legislation, archives of previous meetings, and news releases are available on www.seattle.gov/council. Follow the Council on Twitter at twitter.com/SeattleCouncil and on Facebook at Seattle City Council.

KING5

Investigators have uncovered a disturbing video-tape captured on five different security cameras underneath downtown Seattle.

It shows the graphic beating of a teenage girl in Seattle's Metro bus tunnel, while uniformed security guards simply look on.

This is a tragic story. A young woman is ruthlessly beaten while three grown security guards do nothing but look on. Why? Because their contract states that the guards are to "observe and report" problems and not get involved.

Why do we continue to employ ineffective mercenaries rather than increase the funds for REAL police officers to patrol our street and keep us safe? Belltown is contemplating the expansion of the MID. The same funds could put 10 additional Cops, with real powers, on the streets. 

After the victim is punched, the attack gets worse. The suspect then kicks the girl’s face and stomps on her head six times. The guards make no attempt to get in the middle of the girls or to pull the attacker away. One guard is seen in the distance looking on. He never approaches the scene. Another guard turns his back on the assault. The third stands just inches from the girls, looking on.

And the beating isn’t over. The attacker comes back without anyone trying to restrain her and stomps on the motionless girl’s head one final time.

The attacker and her crew of 10 others - eight boys and young men, and two girls - run up the tunnel escalators.

One of them is clutching the purse he stole from the unconscious teen. Two others have stolen her cell phone and iPod.

This time it went down on 1st ave. Apparently someone got kicked out of Amber and was none to pleased. Instead of going away like a nice boy, he unloaded a full clip before high tailing it away.

Here's some tweet's from people on the scene.

@RobLong - Coming out of Black Bottle we heard gun shots and saw a guy running down 1st Ave in Belltown with a gun. Everyone in Flying Fish ran inside.

@tracibumpus - Just ran for my life from a guy with a gun. Hid in the coat close at umi. Stay away from belltown tonight

Stay safe out there kids. We'll get on the bike and try to get some more details.

UPDATE: 9/19 - @JacksLewis was the first to piece together the substantial information that the suspect was apprehended. Quick summary - a guy gets wasted and belligerent at Amber, stumbles outside and unloads a LOT of rounds, gets quickly apprehended.

From the SPD blotter

On September 18th, at approximately 9:45 p.m., West Precinct officers were looking for a suspect who was brandishing a handgun tucked in his waistband in the Belltown area.  Bicycle officers heard approximately 20 gunshots near 1^st and Bell.  Numerous witnesses stated the suspect was kicked out of a nightclub and walked into the middle of the street and fired into the air.  Bicycle officers saw a suspect matching the description and rode up on him.  As they approached they observed the male suspect drop a handgun.  Officers took the suspect  into custody after a brief struggle. The suspect was extremely intoxicated.  Numerous shell casing s were recovered in the middle of the street. A  handgun was also recovered next to the suspect.  No persons or property were struck.  The 38-year old man  was booked into the King County Jail.

You've got to hand it to SPD; they hand their hands full last night. Someone overly intoxicated got shot with a pellet gun. Someone else brandished a gun in Pioneer Square last night after a verbal argument.

Maybe I'm already getting really old and crotchety. But, in my days of clubbing yore, I never experienced a situation with someone brandishing a handgun. What in the hell possesses someone to pack a piece when they're headed out for drinks?

From MyNorthwest

You look both ways before crossing the street, right? Do you ever look for a cop? You should, at least in downtown Seattle and Belltown.

The city has been running a series of jaywalking stings this year, and cops have been handing out $56 tickets.

The city is running the stings as part of the master plan to make Seattle safer and more walkable.

If anyone sees these stings going down, please immediately e-mail belltownpeople AT gmail-dot-com. I'd like to set up my own "sting" to see how many crack deals go down in plain observation while the SPD is targetting hard core jwalking criminals... the nerve.

Hat tip to @belltowncrime for the lead.

From the Seattle Police Blotter

Officer Assaulted, property damaged, suspects arrested

Capitol Hill Seattle blog has the fatherly advice of being careful whom you meet at Del Rey...

The opening of Copper Cart got off to a raucous start.

From the Seattle Times

Witnesses told police that the shooting occurred after two men were booted from the club. One man, angry about being kicked out, threatened to "get a gun and shoot up the place," Witt said. Club security officers followed the men to their car. When the men reached the car, one of them grabbed a gun from the car and club security staff tried to wrestle it from him.

The gun went off during the tussle and a bullet struck one of the security men in the left hand, police said. Other security staffers grabbed the two men and held them for police

 

I've got to hand it to the security guards (no pun intended). It took some bravado to follow the guys to their car to make sure nothing went down. I'm just happy that no one was seriously injured and that it also appears the shooters are in custody. Elise was somehow there with a video camera and captured the shaky arrest. Stay still Elise! :)

UPDATE: SPD Blotter releases a summary.

I've often walked by the Royal Crest condominiums and have noticed the classical music each time. It's not just ambient, the volume is really cranked. I had some suspicions that the music wasn't there for audible enjoyment, but rather to deter people from loitering about. I think their strategy seems to be working. I've never seen nefarious "evildoers" lingering much longer than a second.  Maybe we need to start lobbying the city for a area wide increase in "The Marriage of Figaro" recitals. Don Giovanni to the rescue!

From the California Chronicle ...

The Paramount Theatre in downtown Seattle, occasionally plays "It's a Small World After All" through the night, possibly to keep people from hanging around the building. The McDonald's on the corner of Third Avenue and Pine Street played country music to keep loiterers from getting too comfy. Four blocks north, the Royal Crest Condominium complex in Belltown plays opera to keep people from loitering near ground-level businesses.

"It's a convenient place for people to squat, sit down or drink their favorite beverage from brown paper bags," said Ferdinand Boyce, president of the Royal Crest homeowners association.

 

 

I have lived in Belltown since I have moved to Seattle. Sure we have our crackheads, our prostitutes, our drug dealers. They are all scary but, with the exception of asking for money, they keep to themselves.

Well, last night I was with some friends at Del Rey, Belltown Pizza. It was a typical Thursday Belltown night where we were sharing some beers and having a good time in our local neighborhood. As I was heading home, I saw my block was just swarming with police. Seriously, maybe 15 cop cars, a swat vehicle, bike cops galore. The whole part of 2nd Ave was shut down between Bell and Blanchard. I did not realize it was my actual apartment until I asked a cop if I could go home and he said no, I could hang out on the street corner but it should not be too longer as they were in the suspect's apartment.

I was not sure what was going on, other than what people were saying on the street. But apparently, my white haired neighbor with whom I have shared the elevator with a dozen times, was brandishing a gun and was held up in his apartment.

Really? A neighbor? My building does background checks and credit checks before anyone can move in. You have to use your key to enter the building and even to use the elevator. I thought I was perfectly safe in my concrete fortress in the middle of the city. Never did I think I would have to fear the neighbor in apartment on the 3rd floor.

When I woke up this morning I read the news and found out a bit more info. Apparently, the police found 16 guns from his apartment, not including the one he was pointing, according to the Seattle Times.

I am not sure, but I would have to guess this inmate is the gunman. He is the only person booked on weapons charges after midnight last night.

I do want to say this though, crazy gunman can be anywhere - the city, the burbs, churches, schools and everywhere in between. I know that, but yet, now I just feel a little less safe in my tiny Belltown haven.

Early this morning, Belltownpeople brought you news of a police standoff on 2nd Ave. According to the police report, the brief incident had a peaceful ending, and the white male in his 50s was arrested for unlawful use of weapons then booked into King County Jail. Police found a large amount of weapons in the man's apartment after his arrest.

The man was yelling and threatening individuals playing loud music across the street from his third floor apartment on the 2200 block of 2nd Ave. around 11:30 p.m., according to the SPD report. After shutting down 2nd Ave. between Bell and Blanchard, police were able locate the correct apartment, and convince the suspect to come down with little resistance, the report stated.

During the standoff, patrons at nearby bars were warned to stay inside and stay off the street.

According to the report, the manager of the apartment building where the event occurred said the man may have a history of mental illness as well as substance abuse. The police report also noted that there...

Photo: kojoteblau

Update 12:47 AM
The suspect is in custody and officers are collecting evidence in the apartment the suspect was holed up in.

Original Post:
Police swarmed the streets of Belltown tonight in a standoff with a man believed to be armed somewhere near the 2200 block of 2nd Ave. It is not known at this time what sparked the standoff. The situation began sometime around 11:45 PM tonight. Police are in position to observe the area. It is Belltown People's policy not to relay any tactical information that may put law enforcement officers in danger.

Via Twitter, we collected these eyewitness accounts:

• bridgetgarcia: We're locked down by the cops in Shorty's. Wild. Cops are outside with machine guns about to raid an apartment building across the street!
• l2oy: Got herded inside Shorty's by the cops with scoped semi-automatic rifles cause there is a guy in the street waving a gun around
• swingmatism: is not sure what to make of the swarm of cops holding handguns and rifles on 2nd ave.

Police officers...

Good news Seattlites, The city has decided to spend some more money fighting crime in downtown Seattle! Pop Quiz  - What are the big crime issues you'd like to see attacked?

• a) Shutting down the "open air" drug market.
• b) Decreasing the number car prowls.
• c) Additional foot patrols.
• d) Writing more Parking Tickets.

D) Unfortunately, they're spending over $160,000 on lining the city's pockets with parking tickets instead of fighing real crime. I don't normally go on rants against the government on this site, but this is worth talking about.

From the Seattle Times

Two sedans packed with $160,000 worth of special software and equipment will prowl the streets, taking pictures of license plates and the position of each vehicle's tires. A later, second pass will automatically reveal which cars haven't moved, resulting in a quick $35 ticket.

 Where does the city get off spending this kind of money on basically the harassment of it's citizens when time and time we're told there's no money for additional cops to patrol the streets. Between this new robocop endeavor and the bait and switch tactics soiling 1st ave, it's really beyond me to understand the valorous underlying goal behind this program.

Alright, I know it's bad form to just cut copy paste a bunch of articles, but this note in the PI sent me into some giggles.

From the PI

Two sisters suspected of brawling aboard an Argosy Cruises ship and attacking two police officers had just returned from a three-hour tour... Seattle police were called about 1:40 a.m. Sunday after a fight broke out on the lower deck of the Spirit of Seattle, which had just docked in the 1100 block of Alaskan Way following a night on Elliott Bay.

About 50 people were fighting when the officers arrived. The crowd looked "loud and raucous and showed obvious signs of intoxication," according to court papers. Crewmembers ran to the officers shouting for help.

I'm sure this isn't a common occurrence for the Argosy folks, but I'm supposing some hand to hand combat skills are now going to be part of their training repertoire.

Capitol Hill Seattle Blog tips us off to a lot of action flick drama unfolding across the neighborhoods this week. Police released details of "Operation Big Slick" (who names this stuff?) which purportedly knocked out an underground casino and drug dealing operation. No small potatoes either; the drug bust was apparently worth over $200,000 in cocaine.

The most perplexing plot twist for Belltown revolves around the involvement of the Free Sheep Foundation's former location on 3rd & Battery. SPD accuses the Free Sheep Foundation of being a front for illicit activity and basically points them as one of the prime time locations for the alleged underground casino.

Ultimately, Wilson joined with other conspirators in order to obtain the location (beginning April I, 2008), open the establishment under the guise of a legitimate business (known as the Free Sheep Foundation), and operate another illegal gambling enterprise

Furthermore, there might be some broken hearts in the arts community. DK Pan and Eric Sun, some of the masterminds behind the Free Sheep Foundation are directly implicated in the police reports.

An undercover Seattle Police detective (UCD) went to the "Cafe (Un)American" where the UCD met DK Pan, Ben Sharp, and Eric Sun, among others. These subjects indicated that the cafe was closing due to recent police attention and publicity, but that the gambling was relocating to its former location, known as "The Yard" or "Rick's Place."

The certainly look like some brazen AK-47 wielding menaces to society. I found their "mug shots" on the notorious crime network of facebook earlier this morning.

If you're interested in catching up with the Free Sheep folk, they'll be in town tomorrow night to turn the Moore inside out. If you're lucky, bring your best game of Texas Hold'em. Might be the last chance you've got.

So, you're walking down the street and you see a drug deal go down. Par for the course here in Belltown. What should you do? Whip out the taser and get to work? Grumble under your breath and affirm your cause by ranting on a blog post when you get home?

SPD wants you to call 911 every time you see a deal go down.

"But, I call 911 and nothing happens!"

It doesn't matter folks. We all know there's not a cop on every corner downtown. But, they DO pay attention to these calls. Each morning a report is generated showing the location and nature of 911 calls. Guess what, if there's a sudden upswing in calls from Belltown, they'll put more boots on the ground to fight the problem. Police even mention setting up stings in direct response to citizen compaints in their reports.

So, what information do they need?

• Briefly state the nature of the emergency
• Let the dispatcher as the questions
• Have an address handy
• Stay on the line until advised to hang up
• Have a decent description of the dealer.

As if you needed another good reason not to get your cocaine on...

From the King County Public Health Office...

KING COUNTY, WA - At least three individuals have reported to local hospitals with a life threatening illness, likely caused by the use of cocaine contaminated with a drug used to treat animals. Called levamisole, the contaminant critically reduces a person's white blood cells, causing a condition known as agranulocytosis, where the affected person loses ability to fight infection. Levamisole contamination of some cocaine has previously been reported across the United States, Canada, and globally.

Patients with this condition in Seattle had life threatening infections requiring hospitalization and intensive care unit admittance. One individual needed extensive surgery, and another resulted in a hospitalization cost that exceeded $100,000

From the PI

Bicyclist attacked and robbed in downtown Seattle

 Posted by John de Leon

 Two people were arrested early this morning after they allegedly attacked and robbed a bicyclist at Third Avenue and Pike Street.

At 1:47 a.m., the bicyclist was taunted and then assaulted by a group of males and females at Third and Pike, according to Seattle police. The assailants took the man's bicycle and helmet. A passerby was able to retrieve the bike and return it to the victim.

When the victim approached the group of thugs and asked for his helmet back, one of them pulled out a stun gun and threatened the victim. Police stopped the group of suspects at First Avenue and Pine Street. Two were positively identified, although more were involved. Officers recovered two stun guns.

Two males -- a juvenile and an adult -- were arrested for investigation of robbery.

I'll just out and say it. Downtown, in this exact area, has a huge problem with teenage thugs loitering after they presumably get out of school. People are lined up on the streets just hanging out. But, as a realist, there's nothing that can be done about this problem. What are the cops supposed to do, run day care centers for the imbeciles that think downtown is "cool place" to hang out? Maybe they ought to follow through on the plan to pump classical music downtown?

SPD has released video of the arrest I'm sure you've read about in the Times, PI, and now Slog. I've purposefully not jumped into the debate because I just feel like there's too much confusion around this story to really formulate an objective opinion. The one fact that I can percieve is that this is a horrible situation all around.

The PI's 911 Blog has an interesting link to a police report filed May 17th. If you've ever wondered how arresting a Belltown crack dealer goes down, check out the narrative. The interesting bits I gleaned from the report...

"When they got mid-block, half a dozen known drug users quickly mobbed them. I observed ______ reaching into his buttocks area... and remove a plastic bundle".

Stay classy Belltown!

I'm glad the cops are taking an active stance in crushing the obvious drug problem we have here in Belltown. Take note of the opening lines of this report. The undercover officer was working the area because of citezen reports. If you see dealing going down, dont be shy, call 911 and report it. Otherwise, it's only a matter of time before someone ends up tarred and featherd.

 From KUOW

Seattle's Belltown neighborhood looked totally different in the late 60's. Families of gypsies ran palm–reading parlors in the storefronts that are now expensive boutiques and restaurants. Carol Miller wanted to study these families. So she did two things most upper–class housewives never did. She took her two kids and left her successful husband. And she went to the University of Washington to become an anthropologist. The gypsies rejected her for an entire year. Then one afternoon she met Lola. Carol eventually wrote a book called Lola's Luck about their unlikely friendship. KUOW's Jeannie Yandel sat down with Carol to find out what Lola meant to her.

The interview focuses more on the relationship between Carol and Lola rather than Belltown's history. However, it was interesting none the less. I'm sure the book has some more circumstantial information available on 1968 Belltown. It's been an interesting week for Belltown history!

Friendly Reminder: If you're parking on the streets of Belltown (or anywhere in the city for that matter) be sure to clear out your vehicle and have nothing of value visibly enticing thieves to smash in a window. Three vehicles were broken into on Western Ave last evening; all with some valuables present to the prying eye.

Some tips to avoid a break-in

• Don't leave valuables in plain view (no change, no adapters, no nothing! People on crack are totally irrational, .25 in the cupholder is one step closer to getting high)
• Get a cover for anything that you have to leave in the car (I used an old cardboard flattened box for my cargo area to lay over anything that looked cool, so far, so good)

Of course, increased SPD patrols, Predator drones, and sharks with frikkin lasers could all resolve this issue in a split second right? But, until that happens, please be aware and don't give anyone an excuse to ruin your day.

There's been a lot of major news coverage regarding the forceful arrest in Belltown early Sunday. There's a lot of speculative opinion that one could jump to. I'm trying to keep an open mind and not make any assumptions. In any case, this looks like a tragic story that really doesn't have any sort of silver lining. I do however find it extremely distasteful that the family and news outlets are now publishing photos of the man on life support. I can't imagine he was able to offer his consent and this seems like human opportunism at its worst.

PI - Conflicting accounts of when deputies identified themselves in Belltown chase

PI - Deputies after wrong man in chase that ended with him seriously injured

Times - Man seriously injured in arrest in Belltown early Sunday wasn't involved in a crime

Most major news outlets are waiting for the actual arrest video to be released. Apparently the entire episode was picked up by the survellience cameras located around the Cinerama.

Tragic.

Ok, maybe this one is a late April Fool's joke by the Seattle Police Department? It looks like a day trader living on Wall St. was robbed in his condo by gunpoint! Is there a Robin Hood loose in Belltown?

More details from the SPD Media Report after the Jump:

On 04/07/09 at 2124 hours while in full uniformed patrol with Officer Frame
#571474 and as 3M32,~S dispatched to investigate a strong arm Robbery at Wall Street, ,; ~. '
5 Wall Street is a secured apartment building with a "concierge" in the
lobby. Guests are allowed in via intercom.
'stated he had
. stated it
~l l be an at 2050 hours, when he received ect named
who is a friend of a friend named ,stated he
as calling from the intercom and asked if wanted to hang out ..
stated yes but informed~ he needed some time to get ready.
stated it took him 20 minutes to "get ready" and when he opened
his front door to exit, he was confronted by three unknown males. The
subjects held handguns. The subjects pushed him back inside and forced him
face d.own on to the liVIlilfr....floor. One of the subjects a black male
with a baldhead sat on . The other two subjects, white males with
black handkerchiefs around their faces yelled, "where's the money".
stated he was punched by the black male in the face. The black '
a e then held a,gun to his head and told him not to move.~
stated the other two subjects searched his apartment but onl~ money
clip containing three credit cards, WA State I.D and $200.00 .
stated the subjects grabbed the money clip and exited the apartment.
st ed while on the floor he was struck again on the back of his
stated they all appeared to be in their early 20's but was
to supply any further description.
I observed an obvious swelling and redness to 1IIIIIIIIIIl left eye, I
observed a laceration on the back of , ~-.declined
medical attention stating, "no I am fine I just want to smoke a cigarette,
I will go tomorrow". Nothing else of evidentiary value was found. I
lnformed . would document the incident and· supplied him with a
business card with case number. I ended my contact.
I contacted the concierge and asked if he had seen anything unusual or
unknown people entering or exiting the building. The concierge stated, "no
I haven't seen anything wrong or any strange people come in or leave".
An area search was performed with negative results.