Print
Email
Share

Real life 'superheroes' guard Seattle streets from crime

by Linda Brill / KING 5 News

KING5.com

Posted on November 19, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Updated Friday, Nov 19 at 7:30 PM

SEATTLE -- They are a group of costumed and caped do-gooders out to fight crime, and now they're on the streets of Seattle.

A handful of men and women say they're part of a national group of "Real Life Superheroes" and locally they call themselves the Rain City Movement.

Their website says they embody the values presented in super heroic comic books. Now they've organized here and are patrolling Seattle streets at night.

But, police say these superheroes could cause harm. They carry Tasers, nightsticks and pepper spray, but they don't carry guns.

At a Capitol Hill gas station last week, a bystander mistook a masked superhero for a masked robber. Police warn someone could get hurt.

"If you want to dress up as a superhero that's great. Go to the conventions." said Mark Jamieson, spokesman for the Seattle Police Department.
 

Print
Email
Share
 

To add a comment, please register or login.

1000 characters remaining

Submit

We welcome your comments on this story's topic. Off-topic comments, personal attacks, and inappropriate language may be flagged and removed, and comment privileges blocked, per our Terms of Service. Thanks for keeping the comments space respectful.

Privacy Policy

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

Comments: Displaying 1 - 15 of 26

theajshow6503328 said on November 23, 2010 at 5:18 PM

Not that responsible journalism matters, but I don't think Linda Brill talked to or even attempted to talk to any of the "Real Life Superheroes." She got them all wrong. None of the "superheroes" that she mention are in the Seattle area. In fact, she didn't even identify them all correctly. The "Rain City Superhero Movement" has no real affiliation with any of these guys. Maybe if she actually talked to any of them instead of just getting random people's opinion, then there'd actually be some useful information in this story. @sblanchard76 I hate to break it to you...but Ragensi is a dude. So, I hope your daughter isn't really trying to be him.

56265069
Flag this comment

me12345 said on November 22, 2010 at 10:54 AM

@mi584 what i was thinking......and now the coooon aproches.......

56182844
Flag this comment

captjp said on November 22, 2010 at 12:28 AM

wmdkitty--I'm more upset that there are people like you out there reproducing.

56158433
Flag this comment

cgvet said on November 21, 2010 at 8:29 PM

Good God, some people are complete idiots. Why don't these clowns stay home and play world of warcraft?

56152729
Flag this comment

wmdkitty said on November 21, 2010 at 7:55 PM

What's the matter, cops are upset that someone is doing their job BETTER than they are?

56151668
Flag this comment

denkoko said on November 21, 2010 at 2:09 PM

This sounds like a form of vigilanty justice that they used to do in the old west when there was not enough law men to stop crime. OBVIOUSLY today there are NOT enough law men to do JUSTICE to the job, and the ones we do have are sometimes hobbled by some bleeding heart liberals. WHO KNOWS maybe these SuperHeros will have a positive effect on crime. If nothing else, MAYBE more citizens will start getting Concealed Carry Permits and putting some fear into the criminals..

56140502
Flag this comment

captjp said on November 21, 2010 at 1:55 PM

javajoe-- Well said!

56140003
Flag this comment

javajoe said on November 21, 2010 at 9:08 AM

It’s laughable now but this is what's in store for Seattle if it continues to neuter its police force through political correctness.

56129126
Flag this comment

captjp said on November 21, 2010 at 1:51 AM

Has this whole world gone NUTS, don't answer that, I all ready know the answer. What have we turn our self's into?? don't answer I already know that one too. What was right is now wrong and what was wrong is now right. Good luck to both the good and bad guys. The police need to grab a lawn chair sit back and enjoy the show.

56117161
Flag this comment

tallguy814 said on November 20, 2010 at 7:54 PM

Got room for a jedi in your movement? I have force spray and a force rape whistle I can blow. Haha.

56109544
Flag this comment

lsmith5870400119 said on November 20, 2010 at 7:42 PM

This is all well and good until one of them tries to fly.

56109161
Flag this comment

kdn425 said on November 20, 2010 at 5:05 PM

LMAO!!!!!! are you F@cking kidding me???? a group of clowns who are walking around Seattle with flashlights and tasers??? LOL yea thats sounds really cute and all but come on now....these weirdos need to go hang out at the mall or at the local game/comic shop........its all fun and games until someone gets hurt and we all know a bad guy is not going to hesitate to beat on stab or shoot some weirdo with a cape on chasing after them...I think we should let the police do their job and these guys need to come back to reality this is the dumbest thing I have ever read in my life!

56104706
Flag this comment

geist said on November 20, 2010 at 4:14 PM

This was an interesting, if not sensationalistic report. I'm sorry that you didn't mention the large volume of humanitarian and charitable work that we do. All My Best, Geist

56103391
Flag this comment

progressiverebel said on November 20, 2010 at 3:48 PM

Being stupid come in all types and shapes. Here in Seattle we have had problems with keeping accontability and effectiveness for professional police officers., Having a partially trained group, not screened, not liscenced, and with marginal abilities to confront situations found on the street run around, in any sort of odball garb or uniform strikes me as being totally insane. I don't carry weapons because I know that just how dangerous that practice is. Mace and Tazers can subdue most people. "Most" is the operant word. "Criminal, stupid, are words that come to mind for anybody or group walking around in a macho way with all the fun things. Great real, this is nutzo. Someday, somewhen, if this group does go out, they will meet some hard case or maybe a person who just does not care and there will be blood.

56102618
Flag this comment

zakar said on November 20, 2010 at 2:41 PM

Costumes aside (more than a bit crazy, and possibly dangerous for them), at least these people are going out there and wanting to HELP the community, instead of shooting to kill an innocent woodcarver. Can these heroes protect us from our "real protectors" though?

56100498
Flag this comment

sharkbeight said on November 20, 2010 at 1:11 PM

Real Life Idiots! They definitely need to have their heads examined. Just plain stupid.

56098139
Flag this comment

sblanchard76 said on November 20, 2010 at 1:01 PM

Well, my kids are loving this. My daughter is putting signs up all over my house saying that I'm Ragensi. Well, at least the costume is cool! ;)

56097881
Flag this comment

clear2copy said on November 20, 2010 at 12:56 PM

It'll happen.. one of these virgin college drop-outs is going to come up against an armed criminal that DOESN'T share their sense of absurdity.. and they're going to get seriously hurt or worse.

56097724
Flag this comment

insolito said on November 20, 2010 at 12:04 PM

I personally welcome anyone who takes enough interest in this city to make a stand and do something about it. Seattle used to be an inviting place. Now I watch people step over someone lying on the sidewalk because they don't want to get involved. If a group of people want to make their part of Seattle a safer place to live, all the more power to them... I don't care if they dress in bikini's! As far as becoming a danger to people?!?! They don't carry guns... I would say my chances are better with them than the SPD.

56096114
Flag this comment

tparty said on November 20, 2010 at 11:27 AM

yessir, what does your comment have to do with this. If you had any clue about what the teaparty is or stands for you wouldn't make such an ignorant comment. Learn the values that they stand for.then if you don't agree, you are more a part of the problem than the solution.

56095021
Flag this comment

mi584 said on November 20, 2010 at 11:14 AM

Coon and Friends?

56094634
Flag this comment

aleigha said on November 20, 2010 at 2:11 AM

Good intentions but are they serious about the costume wearing?!

56078603
Flag this comment

bigpete31 said on November 19, 2010 at 11:48 PM

I say good for them, I hope they do some good!

56076446
Flag this comment

yessir said on November 19, 2010 at 10:10 PM

This makes about as much sense as the Tea Party

56074199
Flag this comment

okokokok said on November 19, 2010 at 9:57 PM

i applaud these folks for getting involved... but......REALLY?

56073804
Flag this comment

otter814u said on November 19, 2010 at 8:17 PM

ROFL, do these guys live in their parents basements as well? Their "Bat-Cave" has an Alfred named "Mom". So, now crooks should start wearing costumes as well. The "Cat-burglar" and "The Pusher-Man" Can do battle with these guys using mace cans and name calling. SOCK! Boom, POW!

56070914
Flag this comment