Comments on: Stone Way Robbery Update

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:10:59 +0000

iyqtoo–Freeway. D’oh, I was thinking Aurora. Nevermind.

By: Rutabaga

Rutabaga — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:36:25 +0000

If you start calling the non-emergency number if and when you see open cans and keep it up the cops will show up. This particular group is the same group I’ve had confrontations with in the park where they go to drink. I finally got the cops to come when they threaten my 4 year old daughter. They have frequented the park much less since this incident. You shouldn’t have to go out of your way…

By: iyqtoo

iyqtoo — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:16:14 +0000

Rob, There are shelters on both the north and south sides of the 45th Street bridge over I-5. Both are used and abused by the folks I’m referring to. When you’re eastbound, there isn’t any way to cross the street once you see who’s in them. Worse still, is the bus shelter on 5th Ave, just south of 45th, where they enjoy even less supervision. In spite of the fact that it’s well lit, the entire interchange has become a very bad area for this kind of activity.

It isn’t the hassle I’m talking about. I live 4 blocks west of I-5 and could easily take the bus across the bridge, but it’s offensive and an unnecessary work-around that I should have to take the bus those two blocks when I could easily walk to my destination in the U-District.

What I’m saying is that I’m not feeling safe when I walk there, especially at night. If Seattle’s policy is to allow bums to hang out, sleep and panhandle at the on-ramps, somebody (METRO or SPD?) is obligated to protect the rest of us from their misbehavior.

By: SeattleAlan

SeattleAlan — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:36:14 +0000

Our street light is on the blink, literally, most of the time. I understand that the city has out-sourced the bulb replacement to a private company and they are backlogged for months. That could really affect pedestrian safety!

By: DOUG.

DOUG. — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:44:01 +0000

This is terrible. But I hope Samantha won't be totally defeated. Seattle is still a relatively safe city in which to walk. I'm wondering what the street lighting situation was on the night she was assaulted? Seattle has a huge backlog of unrepaired burnt-out streetlights, which is noticeable if you walk anywhere at night. City Light has an ONLINE FORM you can fill out to report faulty streetlights. Don't hold your breath, though, repairs might take awhile.

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:26:23 +0000

I’d say call the police (not 911 unless it really is an emergency) and Metro and complain. But if you’re just walking why not walk on the north side of the street? If you don’t like the overpass shelter go up to the Fremont Ave or down to the Stone Way stops.

Yeah you shouldn’t have to do this, but until your complaining has any effect it seems like the simplest way to avoid the hassle.

By: iyqtoo

iyqtoo — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:36:06 +0000

Does anybody else feel unsafe crossing the freeway at 45th on foot? I’m a short-statured female of a ‘certain age’ and have never felt very comfortable being approached by the bums at the intersections. Now, it seems like more often than not, they give me the ‘stink-eye’ and I feel just plain threatened. It’s even scarier when it’s dark.

I’ve considered taking the 44 for a few blocks to avoid them, but it doesn’t seem fair that I have to pay bus fare because they’re allowed to misbehave. I don’t use the bus shelters there any more since 3 of them got into a fist fight over whose turn it was one day while I was waiting for the bus.

I’m not sure how they’ve done it, but other cities have successfully dealt with the ‘bums on the on-ramp’ problem. It would make me very happy if Seattle could figure out some way to control it before somebody gets hurt.