Video: Seattle leaders try to clean up streets

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SEATTLE – Suffering from a battered reputation as an increasingly unsafe city, Seattle leaders are unveiling a new proposal to clean up the streets.

Although violent crime in the city is down to its lowest rate in four decades, that doesn't change the perception of many who live downtown and experience the hookers, drunks and dealers on a daily basis. The problems have angered some people so much that they've started posting videos on YouTube and have sent DVD's to city hall, hoping someone will listen.

Felicity Greenpalm has only lived downtown for two weeks and was greeted by a very unwelcome wagon.

"Some guy rolled down his window and asked if I wanted to buy some pot. I said no and then he asked me if I wanted him and I just walked away," said Greenpalm.

Several high-profile attacks and gang-related killings this past year have brought complaints that people's concerns are being ignored at city hall.

On Tuesday, Seattle City Councilmember Tim Burgess presented a 12-point plan to take on drunks and drug dealers.

Among the proposals:

- Adding police to areas with drug, graffiti, panhandling and prostitution problems.

- Doubling fines to $1,000 for those who frequent prostitutes. The money would be used to get women out of the sex trade.

- Cracking down on businesses that allow crimes to occur on their property.

- Pairing police with mental health workers on the street to better deal with street criminals.

"We have a problem with street crime and social disorder and this 12 part plan is designed to be the beginning steps toward addressing that," said Burgess.

Seattle Police downplay the problems, saying violent crime is at its lowest in 40 years. Chief Kerlikowske is asking people to keep things in perspective.

"We've got homelessness. We've got vagrancy. We've got people with mental health and substance abuse issues. Some of that just is the fact that this is a big city," said Kerlikowske.