Someone Violated Us

By scott
(4 votes) (report abuse)

John Hayes nailed it in the Leschi community forum last week: "Someone violated us."

Someone from outside our neighborhood, from outside Seattle, drove here on Halloween night and murdered one of our cops with a military assault rifle. Not a gangster, not a drug dealer, but an educated man with access to too much firepower and a detailed plan for murder.

The fact is that violent crime is way down around here. There were 29 homicides in Seattle in 2008. Five of those were in the East Precinct, which is less than our per-capita share. With just seven weeks left in 2009, there's been 17 homicides across the city (a 30% decrease), and the murder of Officer Brenton was only the third in this part of town. Compare any of those numbers to other large cities across the nation, and it's clear that Seattle, the East Precinct, and the Central District are very safe places to live.

And the improvement goes beyond violent crime. For example, last year you could drive past 21st & Union or 28th & Jackson any time of the day or night and see gang members hanging out, selling drugs, and generally causing trouble. That is no longer the case. Also, 23rd & Union had been a non-stop open air drug market for years. But since the Drug Market Initiative started, 23rd & Union is now a quiet place where people go to get a haircut, mail their letters, and wait for the bus.

So thanks to the East Precinct officers that have done some excellent police work in the last year to make this part of Seattle a better and safer place to live. Thanks to all of the community members who have organized block watches, gone on neighborhood litter patrols, and kept an eye out for their neighbors.

There's definitely still work to do. There are murderers walking the streets of Seattle. They are the people who killed Tyrone Love, who killed Quincy Coleman, who have grievously wounded others in the neighborhood, and they need to be brought to justice. There's still far too many burglaries and thefts that have a real impact on people's lives. And there is still not enough funding for programs like GOTS that help people get off the streets, off drugs, and into a positive life.

Let's use this latest tragedy as a reason to continue to work together and make even more progress in 2010.

tags: Halloween Officer Murder + add tags
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posted on Mon, Nov 09, 2009 09:32 AM
last updated on Mon, Nov 09, 2009 09:32 AM
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Innocent until proven guilty byburgin223 months ago (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
"Someone from outside our neighborhood, from outside Seattle, drove here on Halloween night and murdered one of our cops with a military assault rifle. Not a gangster, not a drug dealer, but an educated man with access to too much firepower and a detailed plan for murder."

Please remember that all the police have now is a suspect. This is still an unsolved murder.
RE: Innocent until proven guilty byHeath Hunnicutt3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
They have a suspect who built bombs in his apartment. Who knows, maybe he's an innocent man. ROFLMAO.
RE: Innocent until proven guilty bybonghits4jesus3 months ago (3 votes) (report abuse)
You're making a very narrow semantic argument that lacks relevance given the evidence. Saying this guy is "only a suspect" is like saying evolution is "only a theory".

They found pipebombs and an assault rifle in the guy's apartment. He ran and pointed a gun at police when approached. His car, a model not commonly seen these days, is a dead-on match for the one seen cruising the area of the shooting, immediately before the shooting. He recently began covering the car with a tarp. He fits the FBI profile.

Sure he's a suspect. He's the prime suspect.
RE: Innocent until proven guilty byburgin223 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
Of course he is the prime suspect and it looks like his lawyers have their work cut out for them. I personally want nothing more than to see this case closed and justice served.

However until then he's still a suspect in this case.

The police put their life on the line to uphold the law. We should let the law work as it should here and not call the man guilty until a judge & jury have done so.
RE: Innocent until proven guilty byHeath Hunnicutt3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
I think I see where you are coming from, burgin22 -- it's important that we can have a local jury if this ever goes to trial. My guess, based on what I saw on television and reports, is that it will not be possible for this to go to trial due to the suspect's injuries. From what I saw and have read, he was shot in the face and the bullet exited the rear of his head near the occiput. But maybe I am thinking wishfully because I would hate to see any money wasted on further due process at this point.
RE: Innocent until proven guilty byLaury3 months ago (1 votes) (report abuse)
It has been **alleged** that "someone from outside our neighborhood, from outside Seattle, drove here on Halloween night and murdered one of our cops with a military assault rifle." The alleged shooter is someone who has been accused of shootig but against whom no charges have been proved.
Building Community byJen B3 months ago (2 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Regardless of how you feel about the suspect, Scott's point about building our community is a good one. While I am a transplant here, the Central District has a history of being an inclusive community. If you talk to people who grew up here, they'll tell you how it was a close knit and supportive community. I know the neighborhood has had more difficult times in the recent past. And now some are concerned about people being pushed out of the neighborhood as housing prices rise.

I'd like to see some good come out of this tragedy by bringing us all together, recreating that inclusive community that has room for everyone. Building community isn't easy, but it's an investment that brings huge returns.
"But since the Drug Market Initiative started, 23rd & Union is now a quiet place where people go to get a haircut, mail their letters, and wait for the bus." byKatFood3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I have to disagree with this statement. I walk as often as possible to and from Madrona to downtown and I avoid 23rd and Union completely. It is the more direct route from my house but it is not a safe place to be. I have a 12yo son who commutes to and from Washington MS and we have discussed many times which intersections to avoid. MLK & Cherry, MLK & Jackson and 23rd and Union are all on this list. There is still plenty of illegal activity in plain view.

We absolutely appreciate everything our law enforcement officers do for us however (like you said), there is still plenty of work to do...
RE: "But since the Drug Market Initiative started, 23rd & Union is now a quiet place where people go to get a haircut, mail their letters, and wait for the bus." byALS3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
I second this statement. I cannot visit any of the businesses at 23rd and Union without being hassled. By hassled I mean lewd comments, pan handling and even guys running up to my car. I'll drive to Capitol Hill's liquor store for anything I need and I have taken to mailing all my letters downtown.
Intersections byWayward Pedestrian3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
While I don't think 23rd and Union is all that bad, that liquor store is a freak magnet. I was in there right before closing one night, and it was pandemonium in there, and also out in the lot.

But at the same time, it wasn't so much criminal behavior as it was just plain old-fashioned obnoxiousness and stupidity. I was more irritated and embarrassed for the neighborhood than intimidated. But what can you do in a scene like that? Standing up to it arguably just makes you part of the problem.

Bad behavior is not criminal behavior, but it doesn't add to an area's attractiveness. Economic development certainly wouldn't hurt, but it wouldn't solve the issue, either.
Safe corners byPJ3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I walk with my toddler on and past MLK and Cherry, MLK and Jackson and 23rd and Union pretty much every day. I say hi to the people I see and I've never had any problems.
RE: Safe corners bydoug3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
Agreed.

I live about 100 feet from MLK & Cherry. I have never felt weird about that intersection, and I riding my bike through there on my way to work almost every day, usually before six A.M. No one is ever there. I also walk to the corner store there and buy beer and snacks several times a week. Occasionally some weirdos, but never scary. Just folks.

Cherry and 23rd is often a little more lively on my morning commute. Lots of loitering with what I might describe as "intent." But when I sit at the stoplight on my bike, nobody bothers or even looks at me. I do not feel threatened -- but then I am a big guy, over 200lb. I wouldn't want my kids (if I had any) walking alone in these spots.
our neighborhood, where I live. byunionstreetneighbor3 months ago (5 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I would offer my opinion that avoiding certain intersections is not going to improve your odds much...if anything they are more out in the open and busier than side streets. I grew up on Capitol Hill, went to school in the CD, and now have lived in the CD for five plus years. I have less fear of gang members than of the addicts who can be unpredictable. However, this is where you use common sense, instinct, and street smarts. Be aware when you walk, don't listen to your ipod, don't be ignorant of your surroundings. Yes, stuff is still gonna go down, but one can hardly blame the street as much as the person?
I was in a video store the other day on Cap hill and overheard this guy say,"...no way am I going to the CD... that place is too sketchy." I looked him in the eye and said, "Well, as a resident of the CD i officially un-invite you."
true seattle sanctimony bysanctimonious seattle3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
"I looked him in the eye and said, "Well, as a resident of the CD i officially un-invite you."

A great example of a sanctimonious "morally superior" seattleite.
RE: true seattle sanctimony byunionstreetneighbor3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
hahahaha. you gotta be kidding me.
violated bybakunin2 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I don't feel "violated". This kind of overblown language irritates me.
Frownie Face bySylvan2342 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I worked in the Central District for a brief time before relocating. I have to say... I an not impressed.

This place is a safe haven for the criminals of Seattle proper. The criminals don't respect the police, and the community around them is either wearing rose colored glasses, or simply does not care enough to support their local law enforcement enough to fix the problem.

You cite how safe your part of town is... you do realize that you also have one of the highest burglary rates in the entire city right? Add top 5 robbery and assault to that list, and you do not have a safe community.

I keep reading about how there are a significant amount of you who support things like Nickelsville. You deserve all of the repercussions of such support. I wish you understood something about the homeless community of Seattle. They are criminals. They contribute nothing to society but economic burden and filth. Seattle Parks and SDOT spend outrageous amounts of money to keep these people from mucking up what beauty is left in Seattle. Don't give me this business about being down on their luck. People who are down on their luck get welfare and subsidized housing. DO NOT KID YOURSELF: These people have no desire to pay taxes and live responsible lives. They enjoy living off of the system and not having to worry about paying for things that we unfortunately pay for them.

So Central District, you have earned your keep. Frankly, when that officer was shot I remember a ton of people talking about how the police should be doing more to keep your community safe. It's a partnership, you know. Take LA County Sheriffs Dept... there are areas outside of LA seeing almost weekly gang related homicides. The communities of these neighborhoods do nothing to help the police do their job. Frankly, when something like that happens, police become reactive and just answer the 911 calls if they ever come.

You want to fix the image that your community has? Try taking some personal responsibility. Gain some insight into how the world really works and force these homeless wretch to move out of your backyards. When you see something fishy, call the appropriate authorities to handle it before it is overwith. Stop talking about cowardly terrorists like Monfort as if they are poor guys down on their luck and desperate for a solution. FIX YOUR COMMUNITY BY FIXING THE GOOD PEOPLE IN IT.
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