Poll: Many Seattleites don't feel safe downtown

tomma206 said on February 26, 2010 at 11:32 PM

Like they say,Carry a gun because a cop is too heavy

morganthomas said on February 26, 2010 at 11:26 AM

Just "carry". I do and have for 45 years.Only one time have I been confronted and it lasted about 10 seconds and the guy went on his way,running!

justthinkin said on February 25, 2010 at 11:27 PM

Even lower Queen Anne is becoming a hazard area. I hate having to fend off the pan handlers just to get a burger at Dick's. In fact, I've started avoiding to Dick's after dark, and I used to work there...many, many years ago!!

justthinkin said on February 25, 2010 at 11:21 PM

No, I don't feel safe downtown. I don't feel safe anymore in Ballard either. It's become a literal toilet! How many run down vans and motor homes are going to be allowed to "camp" on city streets? Ballard has really gone down hill fast.

bobknows said on February 25, 2010 at 6:50 PM

The only "victims" of crime that matter are the blue gun thugs. They and the other gangs don't want the people able to protect ourselves, and they only protect other gang members. .

steelhead413 said on February 25, 2010 at 6:43 PM

Since obtaining my concealed carry permit and my Walther PPK .380 caliber pistol I no longer feel uncomfortable downtown, even in the evening. And yes, I have handled firearms for over 50 years and know how to use it.

kholland said on February 25, 2010 at 6:37 PM

I'm just wondering, why do the school buses not take middle school and high school students here?

kryptin said on February 25, 2010 at 5:17 PM

Scared? Not really, but their are a lot more people willing to do crime out their with the economy how it is. Still feel way safer on Seattle streets than most other cities I've been too. A lot of my friends moved here from CA and they never stop talking about how less violent the streets are here compared to LA and San Diego. At first they didn't like that because they weren't used to not having to look over their shoulder all the time, but after going back to CA then back here a couple times they are now permanent residents of Seattle.

aziza said on February 25, 2010 at 4:51 PM

I love it how everyone is up in arms over Seattle ranking 183rd on the FBI crime rankings among US cities- yet where is the article, grand concern and survey for Federal Way? (141st) or Everett? (90th)

alkicar said on February 25, 2010 at 4:27 PM

As an ex homeless person, I can give you my first hand impute oh how hard life is for all homeless Men & Women, due to unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances they either have lost their jobs, lost their homes, lost their pensions (hey, Lot's of that going around these days, thanks to all the "crooks on Wall St") and lost their livelihoods. So to all of you who see homeless people and "Maggots, Rats, Roaches", wait till you get sick when you have no health insurance, loose your job, loose your home, loose your pensions and see your mate (whom by the way swore on the holy book to be with you for richer or poorer and sickness and health ) walkout on you and leave you hanging on your own, then and only then you will see what's like being homeless...Good luck to you all...Peace

copperheadcsa said on February 25, 2010 at 2:43 PM

Good Lord what a nation of pansies we've become. We can’t go out because we don’t feel safe and the police can’t protect us. Whaaaa! People need to grow a backbone and take responsibility for their own and their loved ones’ safety. Anyone that thinks it’s the police’s job to protect them is a fool. Go ahead and dial 911. When the cops eventually show up they’ll be happy to put a toe-tag on you and fill out the report. Why carry a gun? Because a cop is too heavy.

westernswing said on February 25, 2010 at 2:25 PM

I have lived in a number of big east coast cities (college in NY) and one two Europe. I have to say that although I find agressive panhandling occassionally annoying, and willa gree that the crime is worse here in some ways than it was whenI lived here the first time 20 years ago . . .Seattle is an incredibly Laid Back, Low Key Low Crime Mellow Easy SAFE city. I live on Capitol Hill - and have lived in teh CD/Madison Valley. I work downtown, I use public transit. I don't have many propblems with panhandlers, RC sellers etc. Whiners, you're a bunch of whiners. What do you want, for poverty to disappear ? Well then, you can pay the kind of taxes they do in Europe and places where they have better social support or live in a Police State (as I have!) and see how you like that

a6chris said on February 25, 2010 at 1:29 PM

so what's new? we did not feel safe going downtown in 1963...

ddw3579 said on February 25, 2010 at 1:18 PM

I agree with Bazwest. I have lived in the Seattle area my entire life which is including working downtown. i will drive anywhere and pay to park! The panhandlers are getting more aggressive and drug deals are happening everywhere. I have spent weeks in NYC (Manhattan, Bronx) with only my own two feet and the subway to transport me. My travel times were day, night, and early morning and I never had any issues or felt unsafe. Only thing I ever saw was two bums get into a fight...well it was more one just one breaking a bottle over the other's head just like in the moves. Within a block police appeared and tackled the guy. Every officer I met in NYC was polite and willing to help however they could. I hope the new mayor follows the same path as NYC...it will benefit Seattle greatly!

bazwest said on February 25, 2010 at 12:42 PM

Rudy Giuliani changed the focus of police enforcement in New York City and began targeting panhandling, unsolicited window washing, pick-pocketing, and other petty crimes. He expanded the idea of community policing and got many of the officers out of their cruisers and back on foot. Giuliani faced a huge uproar for a couple of years from the bleeding heart liberals and the like claiming that this was a waste of tax payer dollars and was oppressive and abusive to the poor and mentally ill. They also argued that the police had better things to focus on than these petty crimes. Giuliani's new emphasis, though criticized, improved the perception of public safety in New York almost immediately. However, the most remarkable thing that happened is that incidents of major crimes, like assault, rape, murder and robbery also declined significantly during this period. Oh, and New York is a little bigger than Seattle.

holykow said on February 25, 2010 at 11:52 AM

WELCOME TO THE BIG CITY, PEOPLE OF SEATTLE!!! This is a city with significant growth and with that comes all of the problems of a big city. Crime, gangs, violence, all of it. The cops have not kept up with the growth of this city. They are also so used to the little to no violent crime that they have no idea what to do with it. Not a hack on the cops' abilities or their willingness to do their jobs, it is the police policies that are still small town and they need to grow up. If a couple of these 'victims' were to have fought back and showed these dirtbags that we will not be pushed around, then they would go to easier targets. C'Mon shoe-gazing Seattle...if you see someone getting the cr@p kicked out of them, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! Show the bad guys who this city belongs to, the good guys. HK

mzalbo22 said on February 25, 2010 at 11:26 AM

I live downtown and I feel safe. There are parts of the city that are wise to avoid after dark, and if you mind your own business 9 times out of 10 - people will leave you alone. Seattle isn't that dangerous of a city...we're way down on the list as far as crime goes. I mean, let's freak out a little less, and get on with our lives. If you're scared of Seattle down come down. We probably dont' wan you here, anyway.

kholland said on February 25, 2010 at 11:09 AM

I've been raising my daughter here for six years. We've been getting on the bus at 3rd and Pine for the last 5, every morning. It is getting worse. The rent-a-cops that patrol outside Century Square are a joke. We see drug deals constantly and there's no place to wait for the bus where you're not inhaling every kind of smoke there is. The only time you see a cop is after someone gets shot or stabbed. We were on our way into McDonalds last summer and had to turn away at the door because some guy was bleeding all over the side walk. People talk about going green. You cannot. You need a car for protection and safety. You cannot be a pedestrian where you don't feel safe enough to walk. We're done. It was not like this 6 years ago or I would never have moved here. We're going back to our plows.

phaedrus said on February 25, 2010 at 10:50 AM

This story is more about the perception of people from outside if Seattle, than any reality on the actual streets. What's interesting is that the poll conducted by the same organization polling people who actually live in downtown Seattle shows a very different picture. "Approximately three-fourths (73%) of respondents believe downtown is a safe place to live. This has remained relatively flat for the four years we have tracked this." Seattle Downtown Association, 2009 Downtown Residents Survey.

kjwest said on February 25, 2010 at 10:44 AM

Macy's, Westlake, McDonalds area - all should be avoided. It belongs to the gangs/ghetto memebers now. Day or night.

scoty said on February 25, 2010 at 9:41 AM

Here is some advice, Ignore the panhandlers, dont buy drugs. Carry a .45 you will feel much safer. Remember, this is the city the citizens have made, and the panhanders stay because "People give them money" and the Drugs are there because "People buy them" So elminate giving money to panhandlers and elminate drug buyers and then my gosh look, they will go to another place.

dede1978 said on February 25, 2010 at 9:29 AM

I've worked in downtown for over 30 years and I'm only uncomfortable at night. During the day while walking around town I've found it's best to go about your business like you know what you're doing. Also, don't make eye contact with the street people, it only invites trouble. If you look afraid, you're a target. In those 30 or so years, I've never been a victim. And yes, there are areas that you should avoid as there is in any big city.

clear2copy said on February 25, 2010 at 9:16 AM

People choose to be victims. two words: CPL

kayscorpio said on February 25, 2010 at 9:14 AM

Since I was attacked at 2nd and Jackson bus stop, at 3:30 PM, for walking to slow across Jackson St. I haven't been to Seattle. I followed the criminal and called 911. The dispatcher made me stop and wait for the police/aid car. When I stopped to wait, the criminal was lost. I received a ' pat on the head' from the aid personnel and a case # from the officer that seemed less interested that a citizen had just been punched in the throat and could barley speak. Quite understating the public fear to walk the streets and travel public transportation.

truthdector said on February 25, 2010 at 8:11 AM

You would be crazy to walk around downtown Seattle after dark without a gun hidden in your sleeve, or you could get Tuba Manned, or Bus Tunneled...

boobiewah said on February 25, 2010 at 7:38 AM

the owners of Liberty Loan pawnshop had thieves shoplift, prowl cars, steal everything in sight even from museums and glass art shops, for 20 years until they got caught and went to prison. Some of them are back out already and the car prowling and muggings have started up again