Seattle Police are saying that crime in the downtown shopping area is at an all time low after nearly $1 million in overtime was spent throughout the last year to increase police presence. A store owner in the area remarks that he has never seen the corner of Second Avenue and Pike Street, as well as the nearby streets bordering Westlake Center and Pike Place Market, so trouble-free.
Although this is great news, unfortunately the result has been (as we all know) increased crime in Belltown where there isn't nearly as much police attention. Police acknowledge the problem and say the department is looking at a similar emphasis project in Belltown later this year to address the crime increase.
Sounds promising, let's keep our fingers crossed. In the meantime Txori bartender Brett Paulson is taking matters into his own hands by gathering a 2,000 signature petition to send to the governor in hopes of bringing in outside help to clean up the neighborhood. Anyone wishing to sign the petition can do so at Txori.
