Businesses in Seattle are angry at the thefts and burglaries that are talking place. Crime is cutting into the profits of shop owners. Other businesses are feeling it and want something done. Seattle’s Madrona and Bellevue neighborhoods are in the news recently due to business owners speaking out about their experiences this holiday season.
In Seattle’s Madrona neighborhood, a business owner posted about his jewelry business being ransacked this month, with inventory taken at a critical time. The owner used social media and online fundraiser apps to rebuild. On a fundraising page, the owner wrote, “the holiday season is when most small businesses do about 75%
At least three individuals used a van to break into the man’s jewelry store on Nov. 17. The entire crime was caught on camera. The video shows the thieves going behind the counter and leaving the cigarette display case.
Not too far away in Bellevue, their police department arrested three people who now face a combined 20 charges, including burglary, car theft and identity theft. An officer recognized two suspects from surveillance video. This launched a larger investigation after they were identified.
Business owners are perplexed at some data that seems to suggest that crime is not impacting local businesses. Data from the Seattle Police Department said in the Madrona neighborhood burglaries are down. So far in 2022, 64 burglaries have been reported, compared to 102 in 2021.
For the Bellevue crimes, the King County Prosecutor’s Office charged Samuel Morris with four counts of second-degree burglary and two counts of motor vehicle theft. Alexander Swanger was hit with eight counts of second-degree burglary and three counts of motor vehicle theft. Kelsey Arias was charged with one count of second-degree burglary.
