Business owner and citizens alike are fed up. On 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street, right across the street from the notorious corner known for illegal activity, another shooting occurred in Seattle’s Little Saigon and neighbors and business owners said they feel helpless.
The latest city numbers show violent crimes like aggravated assaults and robberies in the area are up dramatically since before the pandemic. And 2022 is off to a violent start. The city’s already matched or surpassed last year’s numbers. Harrell continues to say he will lay out his plans for public safety during his state of the city address next week. “Bruce Harrell cannot change 3-4 years of what’s been allowed to go on in a month.” “They’re allowed to get away with more, knowing that nothing is going to happen,” Law enforcement consultant Jim Fuda believes.
Councilmember Kshama Sawant was asked by the community to come out to the neighborhood she represents, to see what’s happening for herself; “She never returned our requests for comment on this surge in violence. So far only Councilmember Andrew Lewis is the only one who got back to us. He’s also on the city council’s Public Safety and Human Services Committee. He sent us a statement that reads in part, “We are looking forward to announcing bold new initiatives soon,” Lewis said.
“Right now, we have to take care of the everyday citizen,” said said Yenvy Pham, who owns Pho Bac Sup Shop on South Jackson Street in Seattle’s Little Saigon neighborhood. “No one feels safe. My coworkers don’t feel safe. I don’t feel safe.”
“The black market at 12th and Jackson is expanding and growing every day,” Pham said. Pham shared this video of a threatening man in front of her business Monday. “He had a really long knife–kind of like a machete,” Pham said. “He was using the reflection of the window to scratch himself.”“We shouldn’t have to spend so much time and energy trying to defend ourselves and trying to feel safe,” Pham said.
Harrell on Wednesday commented, “She should be frustrated,” Harrell said. “There’s not a simple button to push to make sure all the illicit activity will be gone. However, what we’re looking at are sustainable solutions. So, she will see here in a matter of a few weeks, not only a plan but an implementation of a plan.” Harrell said he’ll lay out a specific plan next Tuesday. He said his State of the City will have details on how the city will curb crime in places like 12th and Jackson.
