
The city is preparing for the big events. It is only a couple weeks out. The MLB All-Star Week festivities is start in Seattle. People from all over will pack the town near the stadiums. Some are concerned about the problems and eyesores around the city. Those issues include crime, overdose deaths, homelessness, and public drug use.
Volunteers jumped into action this past Friday at the parking garage located on Edgar Martinez Drive and Occidental Avenue next to T-Mobile Park. They were there to prepare and beautify the city. Seattle is a town loved by many for its beauty and progressive governing. Experts believe that the city, just like other cities, is still improving after the problems increased by the pandemic. They report that crime in downtown areas (CID, Pioneer Square, Belltown, Commercial Core) is down 25% compared to in 2022.
Parking is being talked about and addressed aggressively. The areas where the main festivities will be is on the top of the list. It is reported that parking enforcement officers assigned to the area around T-Mobile Park are regularly responding to abandoned vehicle complaints. Leaders are expected to solve parking issues by All-Star week to include adding more parking and better enforcement of current parking laws.
Open drug use is on the minds of the elected leaders. Mayor Harrell announced last week that he has already started working to advance effective and sustainable solutions to address illegal drug in public. The mayor has a team that has sent information out to the media stating that they are working on Mayor Harrell’s priority to make the city safe and helping people to get on a path to recovery.
As for the ongoing problems caused by homelessness, Homelessness Action Plan website shows data that states tents across the city have declined 42%, and RVs in encampments are down 29%. Mayor Bruce Harrell’s Team stated,
“Mayor Harrell is committed to a holistic approach to improving public safety in Seattle, recognizing that issues created over years cannot be solved overnight. Our Unified Care Team (UCT) – which oversees the City’s coordinated homelessness response – is working to ensure this neighborhood is welcoming and accessible all year round.”