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• Black Helicopter Operations
  Thats Meth Head central over there at night. Those hoodie prowlers are there, all the way to to the 7 -11, and back all night. One almost robbed the 7 11 one night too. They hang out in Bergen Park by day a lot.
  
  They all hang out down that alley where the Meth House is every night. Dozens of them. As we all know by now...
• silence.kit
  Here we go...
• jules
  hard to believe there was only 1 person staffing the store at that hour. hopefully they will at least have one other person in there after this...i am so glad that there were no injuries and all ended up ok. thanks for the info, Geeky Swedes!
• Ehound
  I hear the robber's gun was a foot long, and he bought it for five dollars.
• jules
  Ehound:
  with or without tomatoes?
• Black Helicopter Operations
  Silencekit - If you think Ballard is a scene out of Its A Wonderful Like at night, try walking up to that Subway at 3 am. Then take a little stroll down the alley behind the Meth House. We will see if you get dragged inside and almost raped, as was reported in the Ballard new a few weeks back. Remember, "Police responded to a woman screaming inside..." The Meth House
  
  These people out at 3 am are not the little saints you claim. Trust me, I know first hand. You can paint the meth heads in the Bergen Park as the second coming of Jesus all you like, the fact is they are dangerous.
• silence.kit
  "These people out at 3 am are not the little saints you claim."
  
  See, I never said that. I never said any of those things. Stop putting words in my mouth. God, that's annoying.
  
  You know, it's quite easy to be inside at 3AM. Just saying... And it's not like I think this neighborhood is flawless. I don't like it when my girlfriend walks home from the bus at night, so I'll offer to come get her. Just take precautions and, chances are, you'll be okay.
  
  "You can paint the meth heads in the Bergen Park as the second coming of Jesus all you like"
  
  It's post like this that, once again, makes me think you're fucking with me. You can't be THIS full of shit.
• Stupid Hippie
  People are struggling in this economy.
• Black Helicopter Operations
  You always take the fantasy view, that Ballard does not have a crime wave. It's simply totally untrue. Ask Art Olsen if you don't trust me. He is willing to go on the record and is an actual pillar of the community. I am just that crazy guy from myballard.com. The vigalante, remember?
• silence.kit
  "You always take the fantasy view, that Ballard does not have a crime wave."
  
  In another post I said that crime COULD be up, but it's silly to say it is without definitive proof.
  
  Definitive isn't Art Olsen. And like I said, I don't even know who that isl
• jules
  SSDP
  same s*it different post
• Black Helicopter Operations
  How about the 9 out of ten people on here who have seen the crime wave first hand? All paranoid vigilantes too? And around here, Art Olsen IS the definitive word. Shows how much you know about Ballard.... I mean, Ballard even named a furniture store after the guy.
  
  "When Art speaks, people listen."
• Stupid Hippie
  I hope the robber gets the help he needs. It must be terrible being poor.
• silence.kit
  "How about the 9 out of ten people on here who have seen the crime wave first hand?"
  
  Still not good enough. You need statistics. You saying "9 out of 10" isn't enough.
  
  People on here see crime where there isn't any by the sounds of it and yeah, a lot of them are VERY paranoid, but you can't see that for some reason.
  
  "Shows how much you know about Ballard"
  
  Not really, though. Sounds like he's just some rich old man.
• boardbrown
  Ehound's joke is making me hungry.
  
  I was robbed at gunpoint once, and it's not much fun at all. And for the record, it wasn't in Ballard.
• jules
  hi boardbrown
• Stupid Hippie
  There's no crime in Ballard, just poor people redistributing wealth.
• Black Helicopter Operations
  No, he is a kindly old Sweedish man and the Christ Kringle of Ballard. I am sure he even has a long white beard, to go along with the whole image. Though I have never met the man, everyone likes him and trusts his word.
• boardbrown
  Hey Jules!
  
  I wonder how much cash these places really have anymore. I mean, we all pretty much use debit for everything these days.
• jules
  that is a great point. it was either cash or food that the robber was in need of. i bet they only keep like $50 or $100 max on hand, you think?
  
  so silly to commit a crime at all but for such a small amount especially.
• Sharon
  I was wondering the same thing. In this age of plastic robbers probably get a lot less than they used to.
• chopper_74
  Great news.
  Well, that makes me feel a hell of a lot safer.
  So we have some armed 'hoodie' on the loose. If somebody finds a picture, or footage from surveillance video, before I do, post it here, please?
• elenchos
  Armed robberies have happened here for at least 140 years, that we know of. It's kind of misleading to say "now" we have an armed robber running around, as if it wasn't known to happen from time to time before now.
  
  But get a load of how many armed robberies were going on when crime peaked in the early 90s -- that will make your hair stand on end!
• chopper_74
  Note, I didn't say the word "now", I clearly stated in fact, what is fact, and how I feel about it. Yeah, and still waiting for someone to come up with photo or video.
• nina
  I am pretty sure the meth addicts struggle in any economy.
• Ehound
  actually I had a friend who became addicted to crystal meth that was very financially stable. He had a pretty good job that involved travel and soon learned where to find it on the road.
  this cost him a relationship and he eventually got rehab, but you really can't pigeon-hole all addicts as money-hungry thieves.
• SPG
  The plural of anecdote is data.
• Ballard Sucka #1
  The problem with these stupid meth-heads is they can't get off their asses, take a few college courses and learn how to just make the meth themselves. in fact, the college chemistry classes are not even needed given the step-by-step instructions you can find on the web these days. for about $3.97 worth of pseudafed you can make yourself enough meth to last for a week, i don't care how much of a tweaker you are, and you don't have to go around robbing everybody. You'd think in these tough times these crank addicts would show a little bit of innovation, but as usual they're all like "wah wah, i'm a lazy meth addict, give me some speed money or i'll shoot...wah wah wah".
• Trix
  Sure crime is up in Ballard. It's up everywhere. But I still feel safer walking at night here than anywhere else in Seattle. Try Greenwood at 2 am and see how safe you feel.
• randi
  everyone jump to conclusions..obviously anyone robbing a subway is addicted to meth!!
  
  and yes, they usually only have 1 person at that store at night. it's not busy enough to pay for more than one person on staff. is that really hard to believe?
• Ehound
  I don't really see what a second employee would've done anyway, other than putting themselves in danger, too. the guy did have a gun afterall.
  
  any surveillance video yet? I would think they've got a camera or two there, not to mention any neighbors.
  did he run away or was he in a car? was he running late for his 'methamatics' class taught by ballad sucka #1?
• Real Ballard
  There are cameras in the Subway on 15th. Maybe they will release a picture of this guy.
• chopper_74
  Elenchos, finally correct, crime has, and does happen, still. I happen to see it increasing, but I'm just a delusional paranoid. yadda yadda...
  My point, like in post #21, when does the public get to see the video? I'd think that the police would appreciate the extra eyes on this one.
  And, I can't disagree that Ballard isn't the Central District, but I'm not sitting on my ass waiting for it to be that bad here. What we don't need is a Market Street that can't be distinguished from Aurora. And it's closer than you think, clearly.
• Black Helicopter Operations
  Google up "Ingredients of Crystal Meth"
  
  Battery Acid, Drano, match heads...
  
  Just for the children who are following along. Battery acid is not something doctors suggest putting inside ones brain. It can make it function sorta funny.
  
  How dumb does a person have to be to put this in their brain. Picture the soft issue of a brain. Do you really think it will hold up against battery acid, with no permanent damage? Give me a break.
  
  These people who smoke it have no teeth, because it literally eats the enamel off their teeth and they fall right out. Sounds cool huh?
  
  This drug will ruin Ballard for good if we don't take every Meth Head seriously. All kidding aside. It's no joke, and these people are showing up here in droves for all the free food and other perks. If we have to sacrifice the soup kitchens and even the food bank for a year, til we find out how to stop these people from coming, it is the price we have to pay.
  
  Good luck getting rid of them when they have finally turned Market Street in Pioneer Square. Yes, I know... everyone at the Food Bank is an old lady, cute kid, or laid off dotcom millionaire, but still....
• Trix
  They got rid of the covered benches at the 'park' on Market and put in those ugly art trees to get rid of the drug activity. Didn't work. They just deal out in the open over there now.
  I don't think Market Street will ever be Pioneer Square but it is worse than it was 15-20 years ago.
• pt
  Those ugly trees make me want to do drugs
• chopper_74
  did anyone notice the very similar event from the 2nd of Feb. on 'phinney-wood'?
  right down to the 'still at large' ending...
  both hispanic, both armed, both eluded capture...
  Bet you it's the same guy or group.
  Pictures, video, somebody?
• ChiTownRep
  Ya, meth heads suc. They are dangerous and unpredictable. What we need to do is introduce Heroin into their environment. Get the meth heads addicted to a drug that makes them harmless, and let nature take care of the rest. Anyone who has ever seen a H-adict half asleep, while leaning on a light poll knows that this type of adict is almost completely harmless. You could walk up to one and puch them over, and the H-adict will likely not realise he is on the ground for about an hour.
  
  Ballard is probably more dangerous than it was 10-15 years ago, I will grant all of the pervious posters that. But it is still one of the safest areas I have ever seen. Pioneer Square is more dangerous than Ballard, true. But neither of these neighborhoods can campare to downtown Tacoma, and Tacoma doesnt complare to most other ghettos throughout the contry.
  
  This area is getting more dangerous, but this is the status quo for the entire world. My advice is to take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones and be happy you live is one of the safest cities in the country, possibly in the world.
• Ballard Sucka #1
  armed hispanic? clearly this is the work of the mexican mafia we've been hearing about in the news so much lately. perhaps if we could finally build that fence on our southern border, only this time extend a piece of it up here to surround ballard, not only would we solve the crime problem but some of us would finally get to live in the gated community we so desire.
  
  regarding the issue of battery acid in meth, don't confuse chemicals used in the manufacture of illegal drugs with what is actually contained in the drugs themselves. in addition many medicinal compounds actually require molecules of hydrochloric acid to be attached to them to form salts in order to make them soluble in water, and thus delivarable inside the human body. notice how alot of drug names end in hcl?
• elle
  when i read myballard comments i feel like i am in the twightlight zone where the same people say the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over.
• NoHoBo
  BHO just needs to cook up a good batch of Meth and accidently leave it by the payphone at 7-11.
  
  I hear arsinic provides an extra kick.
• trigger.cut
  "The plural of anecdote is data."
  
  
  I think I love you, SPG.
• chopper_74
  wow, spg....jump!
  Tho, I loved you first ;-)
• oz756c
  I have friends who live in the so called meth house, and have stayed over on numerous occasions. I can tell you that nothing takes place in the house other than the occasional alcohol fueled college type paty that you would expect to find in any neighborhood that houses several college students. Not to say that all we do is drink and smoke pot, a few of us are involved in various volunteer and civic awareness programs to combat homlessness, improve the environment and address world hunger. The rent fits our budget and it's unfortunate that we don't have the time or the resources to turn our property into a trophy Bellevue type home which all of you so desperately want.
• sleepynb
  I can't believe I didn't get Ehound's first joke. I'm a bit slow. Maybe I need some meth
• Your Neighbor
  "Google up"?
• Black Helicopter Operations
  Type "Crystal Meth" into the google search engine or "Meth ingredients"
  
  Or, "Woman on Crystal Meth Murders her entire family, then herself"
  
  "Transient on Meth kills"
• Fnarf
  Wait -- are you saying meth is BAD?
• e/c
  I feel like elenchos needs galsses or a hearing aid...sometime I wish I lived in a world that looks all pink and rosy..no..crime has not increased...I mean over 14 businesses that have been victims of breakins in less than 6 weeks..in a small community like Ballard... seems like the norm...I guess if crimeis down than it must have been a regualr war zone in Ballard in 1991...it is a waste of timne and energy to even respond to folks who think stats from 2 years ago are current, especially when the boundries have changed and the website states that they cannot be compared...
  
  here an article I found...that speaks to crime being on the rise..but becuase there are notr stats it is only a reporter who has the info...and it does not speak to Ballard...just downtown Seattle.
  
  
  
  Downtown Seattle
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Downtown's crime rate has risen slightly in recent years
  By MARK HIGGINS
  SEATTLE TIMES REPORTER
  
  
  Unlike many neighborhoods where crime rates have dropped in recent years, police statistics show that crime has worsened a little in the downtown core over the past five years.
  
  Police attribute it to an increase in car break-ins, particularly under the Alaskan Way Viaduct. "There's a correlation between the number of homeless to the number of car prowls," says Seattle Police Lt. Dick Schweitzer of the West Precinct. "They need to get their spare change somehow."
  
  In response, the Police Department has a car-prowl task force working the viaduct and Broadway area on Capitol Hill. Overall, 4,005 thefts were reported downtown in 1996, including car prowls. That represents an increase of about 500 thefts from 1991.
  
  There also were three slayings last year downtown, compared with one in 1991. Rapes dropped from 24 in 1991 to eight last year. The number of robberies, assaults and residential burglaries have remained about the same during the five-year period.
  
  Schweitzer says drug dealing is "very prevalent" and civility issues -- public urination, aggressive panhandling and intoxication -- are primary problems. Prostitution has been all but eliminated, though some escort services still dispatch hookers downtown.
  
  The Police Department has stepped up its downtown drug buy-busts to 10 a month and is working more closely with the FBI and Immigration and Naturalization Service. The crackdown showed that certain Mexican ranches were sending drug runners across the U.S. border, where they work their way up the West Coast to Seattle. As the drug runners are arrested, the ranches simply send in new recruits.
• chopper_74
  Thanks e/c, however, I think that this reporter is indeed a delusional paranoid...I hope that he gets the help he needs...take it easy Mark, it aint that bad...hold on buddy.
  Anybody else want to chime in? ya sure! ya betcha!...
• chopper_74
  BHO...lol, I'm not gonna type THAT in MY computer...lol...
  I get enough spam already ;-)
• Ernie
  Uhmm e/c, is that article from 1996?
  
  Were you giving elenchos a hard time for using 2 year old stats?
  
  Help me understand.
• e/c
  yes, it is from 1996..but it does show that crime was up from 1991..which was the dispute..I coudl not find anything more current...until the stats come out where we can compare 2007, 2008 and 2009, which will include consistent areas (boundries changed) then I am sure elenchos will still be doing his chant "crime is dow, crime is down,the is paranoid people crating a herd mentality" Tell the Ballarch Chamber that crime is down..and I think they will disagree..but I do not have stats
• e/c
  sorry, forgot spell check...
• e/c
  This is a link to track crimes in Ballard...like I said not stats, just info
  
  http://outside.in/Ballard_Seattle_WA/tags/crime
• chopper_74
  thanks e/c truthfully, for trying to point out the obvious, yet again.
  It seems some are just resistant to the obvious.
  But, we will know all too soon, that crime is indeed up.
• Madison
  'Tis definitely up in Sunset Hill.
• Frank's Moonshine Closet
  Why are they robbing the Subway? I thought they had that 5 dollar footlong special going on...
• elenchos
  I wonder what's going to happen when this year's data comes in and it turns out there was no crime wave.
  
  Who's going to take responsibility for all the baseless hysteria? Is somebody going to make it up to the homeless people who were harassed? Will the minorities who were demonized get an apology, at least? Will the extra demands made on SPD resources be paid back?
  
  Probably not. Supposedly these Ballard people are "good folks" who mean well. If the crime wave was imaginary it wasn't like we knew we were doing any harm. Not like we meant to hurt anyone. That's how mobs work: as individuals you are innocent and none are to blame, personally, for what the mob does.
• chopper_74
  well, some of us don't have five bucks...
  ...some of us find a job...
  The rest are the ones that concern me.
  They take the 'foot long'...and then some.
  Clearly, I'm not needed here...
  STILL NO PHOTO OR VIDEO.
  thanks for your time.
• chopper_74
  Elenchos, 'slap' wake the f up will ya?
  btw, Silence, I'd suspect that we are ALL adults here, but in case we are not, clean it up, please.
  Elenchos, I'll take the heat, you spineless MF. Not that there's any reason to believe that you could ever be correct....
• e/c
  I will be happy to apologize to you personally if the stats show that 2008-2009 crime was not increased for the Ballard area.
  
  As far as the SPD...I think they have been in the businees long enough to know how to respond to issues and resource their staff appropriately..not to worry about the extra cost of resources due to this blg. If you can show any reports or stats that they have responsed to non existent crime reports in this area, and cost us taxpayers money, by all means post them.
  
  As far as baseless hysteria...I am not sure there is "hysteria" but the concern comes from people who have been robbed, neighbors or businesses they frequent being compromised etc.
  
  Elenchos, what will your response be when you take off the rose colored glasses and realize the stats show an increase..? And they will...
  
  I think it may be a little dramatic to think there is a mob mentality on this targeting the homeless, and pointing the finger at them for the crime...it's more like the druggies, and punks who may or may not have an address due to their lifestyle. It's a commuity asking for intervention in what they perceive to be a real problem, and a distinct change to their neighbors and neighborhoods. It's about taking notice, listening to real situations and taking an honest look around you.
  
  Take a step back and get an more objective view of this...no one is going out on horseback with nooses and guns drawn...
• Trix
  Look, Ballard has a problem with druggies and panhandlers. More of a problem than it had before. But I can still walk home alone at night (as I did tonight) with little fear. I live in Ballard and I play in Ballard, and I still say it is still the safest neighborhood in Seattle.
  I'm not denying Ballard has a growing crime problem. But it's not exactly First Hill. Yet.
• done reading comments, forever
  I agree, elle (#38) , the same people with nothing better to do and who think we're all entitled to their opinions, over and over and over and over and over, again....no matter what post they are commenting on!
• bgirl
  I agree with elle (#38) about reading the same comments by the same people over and over and over and over again!
• Black Helicopter Operations
  Most time its safe. Its the one time out of 100 we have the issue with. That one time could get someone here, or their family member shot, like could have happened to the person at Subway last night.
• weinerdogriley
  Hey I just moved from Tacoma to Ballard and let me tell you all I am glad I am here.
• Black Helicopter Operations
  Let's not forget. A transient murdered a woman in her home on Sunset Hill a few years back. The bloggers are not exactly logging off and going on nightly killing sprees. You would think the bloggers are the issue.
  
  Ballard just does not have the mental health facilities, drug treatments, state, local and federal financial offices, and other services that are downtown, the U district, and Capital Hill to help the homeless correctly.
  
  We have a few soup kitchens and a food bank. We can feed them, but, then it becomes the job of the business owners to play psychiatrist, Parole officer etc., which they are not qualified to do.
  
  How long before someone is killed asking one to leave their shop. One bar owner had to wrestle one to the ground because he was weilding a box cutter and threatening to kill the staff and customers a few weeks ago. Now, we have a gun pointed at someones head. No need for concern?
  
  Trust me, box cutters and guns don't exactly tickle.
• Black Helicopter Operations
  Trixie writes
  
  "But I can still walk home alone at night (as I did tonight) with little fear".
  
  Not knowing you are in danger, is not the same as being safe.
• reasonable
  what? they didn't want to burden us with a helicopter search this time?
• gmer
  Working fast food in ballard back in high school 15 years ago, i can tell you this isn't anything new. For BHO to automatically blame this on the local homeless and/or drug addicts is absolutely absurd. To even think that the soup kitchens and food banks are the ones attracting armed robbers to 15th ave at 10pm is delusional. I am not denying that there hasn't been an increase in crime in ballard during the recent year, but to blame it on the few social services that have been here for decades is irresponsible.
• chopper_74
  Social services have been around since the first. The need for services are obvious, especially now.
  Get rid of the 'red carpet', do not attract the worst, help the rest, for this community is the best.
  Let's work together, and we'll suffer less.
  
  chopper out
• Black Helicopter Operations
  Why would someone hold up a Subway with a gun who did not have a drug problem? Do you mind explaining, why someone would risk 20 years in prison for 100 bucks by committing armed robbery, or maybe even murder?
  
  Also, why would someone who you think belongs in Ballard be weidling a box cutter at bar owners and patrons on Ballard ave. He found the music was not his cup of tea?
  
  I suppose the tranisient who murdered the woman at home on Sunset Hill, was just peachy keen and I am the "irresponsible" one for posting to a blog, some well known public info.
• Black Helicopter Operations
  Whos is the responsible one here? I am the one paying rent on an apartment I have had your "responsible transients" break into and steal my stuff and buy food I would prefer not to have to pay for myself.
• gmer
  Hey, i'm not saying that this particular criminal dosen't have a drug problem. But to automatically assume that this is a local homeless person is absurd. Anyone on the street usually doesn't have a firearm. What happened 3 weeks ago weeks with the assault on a police officer around the olympic athletic club? You were the first one to jump in, state for a "fact" that it was a local "homeless meth head" but dude ended up getting caught up north. I am a for increased vigilance, but the level you seem to be taking it to is dangerous.
• Black Helicopter Operations
  I have no idea who the Subway robber is and never stated for a fact anything about the Olympic Gym guy. But, I assure you, it will turn out he is connected with drugs in some way.
  
  Most people not on drugs, have no interest in robbing people at gun point, or assaulting police in the middle of the night in the parking lot of Olympic Gym. At least I don't.
  
  Just because he was caught up North means nothing. The police have not told us how he is connected to Ballard yet. I hope he is not, but he and the one that got away probably are in some way.
  
  My problem, is with the Meth Heads I see first hand breaking every law in the book. The cops can deal with tracking down the Subway guy. But, A picture would be nice....
  
  What is so damn complicated about following every day laws and why is that such a controversial thing to suggest in Ballard. I am no saint, but my God, how many laws do I really break every day? Not many..
  
  They are pretty simple to follow along with for most adults. Start off with don't do Crystal Meth, don't sit on benches on market street drinking beer, don't sleep in Bergen Park, don't sell crack outside 7 11, don't rob the subway, don't hit the cop... what is so controversial or hard for adults to understand? No parents taught anybody these concepts? Oh yea, parents are an outdated concept in Seattle. The kids make the rules and the parents grovel for affection.
  
  Seriously, if they can't even do those basic things, I say get the hell out of Ballard and don't let the leaf blower hit you in the ass on the way out.
• Black Helicopter Operations
  " Zippy - I am a for increased vigilance, but the level you seem to be taking it to is dangerous".
  
  My typing is dangerous, but you have no issue with a man with a box cutter, totally out of control in two Ballard Ave bars and having to be Tazed to be controlled by police.
  
  Maybe you should stay out of the library if words are that frightening and Head over to the Meth House behind Sip and Ship. They might protect you from this terrifying blog.
• gmer
  You are exactly right. Don't do meth (it is bad even if you are a businessman addict that doesn't commit crimes), don't home bum it and drink beer in public, don't sleep in bergen park, don't sell crack anywhere, but most important do not hold prejudice against a certain group of people. I have lived in ballard all my life, have all sorts of interest in keeping crime out, but am also concerned about my fellow man upon hard times who is stereotyped,
• gmer
  Wtf BHO? I'm not in the library, and i don't rent in ballard, I own a house that has been in the family for 80+ years. I have dealt with crime for years, i'm from here. I have no problem with vigilance, but we need to keep things in context.
• gmer
  Hey, by the way, read about the history of ballard on historylink dot org. Quit with all the NIMBY shit, ballard isn't any different from neighborhoods like capital hill, u district, lake city. We all have similar pasts. You rent in ballard, there has been a lot of available rentals out in the issaquah highlands, covenants and all.
• MJ
  recluctant to get in the fray here...but I don't think anyone is saying that things are differnt here than in other neighborhoods..it's just differnt than what Ballard has been in recent years, or historically speaking. I don't think we want Ballard to be like Lake City.Capital Hill, Tacoma or theU ditract and that seems to be the argument. People sound like they want to get it under control before it gets out of hand.
  
  Arguments range from:
  
  Is there really increased crime in Ballard?
  Is the homeless population up?
  Is blatant drug use up?
  Is SPD doing everything possible to eliminate known issues (meth houses)?
  What tactics are reasonable or not for controlling crime?
  
  Alot of the arguments run on an emotional thread becuase there are no published statistics to prove anything so folks just shout louder to make sure they are right in their opinion.
  
  Seems to me that everyone should just look out for themselves, their neighbors, and do what they can to support their community instead of bashing merchants, stores or fellow residents...the stronger and more aligned a community the harder it will be to penetrate it.
• Black Helicopter Operations
  The Neighborhood is not set up to take care of transients, and we don't have millions of dollars for needle exchanges, rehabs and mental health workers, which are already in place in Downtown, U District and Capital Hill. We are doing them a diservice by luring them in with food and doorways to sleep in, but none of those services.
  
  Besides, you're worried about me and calling me them what they in fact are, then also call me predudice. Like I am the problem for not being compassionate enough for my "Fellow man" or grown men as I call them.
  
  What ever happened to grown men not begging for 50 cents and a ciggarette on a street? I don't know about you, but I was raised not to beg for anything on the streets. There was a thing called self respect, which is why they have food stamps, welfare, work programs and other things available to these grown men. How many applications for job do you think these men fill out per week?
  
  You think these men are actually a good influence on the kids and teenagers of Ballard? Give me a break. They are not. They are everything that kids should be raised not to become and parents should not have to be subjected to lazy grown men, high on drugs begging for things, when they try to take their kids out in Ballard. Is self respect that strange? Most are perfectly healthy men!
• Black Helicopter Operations
  Zippy -
  
  Just because your family house has been here 80 years, means zip to me. I have been here a long time too and Golden City is full of third generation Ballardites, who I would not give the time of day. I will stay here and you head to Issaquah, if its so great. Sell the family home and treat your friends at Golden City to a big party on your way out of Ballard, will ya? Get yourself nice shack up in the woods there and create yourself a meth house, with all the transients you take out of Ballard. Waste your inheritence in a positive way.
• Grubba Selorick
  It's true, you really do suck BHO.
• Nordic Woman
  Zippy wrote: "Quit with all the NIMBY shit, ballard isn’t any different from neighborhoods like capital hill, u district, lake city. We all have similar pasts."
  
  Au contraire, we are very unlike most neighborhoods in Seattle, with the exception of Fremont and Columbia City. Ballard was one of the outlying towns annexed into the City of Seattle (under protest) in 1907. (the last city to be annexed was Georgetown, in 1910.) Lake City didn't become part of Seattle until they changed the city limits from 85th to 145th.
  
  We had our own police force, fire department, school district, and, unlike other residential neighborhoods, we had a huge amount of industry here; the shipyards , fishing industry and the lumber mills. Ballard was very self-contained, because of geography, industry, the prevelance of the Scandinavian community, and because it was its own town.
  
  It is one of the few neighborhoods in Seattle where people tended to live for generations in the same place, often the same house. (West Seattle is another such neighborhood.)
  
  During the Depression, there were actually 2 food banks here,to help out families...Ballard was hit hard during the Depression because of layoffs at the mills, and a sharp decline in shipbuilding, that didn't improve until WWII, when they built minesweepers here. I have actually done quite a lot of resarch about Ballard during the Depression. Back then, people really did step up to help their neighbors; but the people who used these services were working families fallen on hard times, not vagrants.
  
  As an aside, someone I know works in the ER at Ballard/Swedish, and they have seen a skyrocketing use of the ER by the homeless and indigent. They get the same people, week in and week out, and a lot of "drug-seeking behaviour". You and I all pay for these services, through our taxes, and through higher rates to the patients who actually have insurance.
• Green Canoe Operations
  BHO dude and 15 sock-puppet pseudonyms.... give it a f'n rest. again, he have our side of 15th covered well. Just keep that meth brewin and we'll keep trading you your much-needed crazy pills.
• chopper_74
  Sock puppet here...
  We aren't leaving, so, you can give it a rest.
  And no, you, alone, cannot possibly have any side of 15th covered, trust me, it isn't possible.
  But thanks for your support.
  I'll take some of those crazy pills, tho, after this week, I need it.
• chopper_74
  And thanks Nordic Woman, you are very clear, and very understood, hopefully, very appreciated here as well. Ballard is unique, don't allow these chuckle-heads to dumb it down. This isn't Kansas, Seattle, New York, or L.A.
  It's Ballard, and it deserves better.
• The Swedish Chef
  BHO GO AWAY
• chopper_74
  Chef, if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen ;-)