Except that there were similar drops in other cities which didn't make policing changes. So the claims aren't credible. At most the policing changes made small differences.

What's wrong with the claims about police effects on the NYC crime rate is that there were similar drops in other cities which didn't make policing changes. So the claims aren't credible. At most the policy changes made small differences.

I think the main problems of suburbanites traveling to Seattle is difficulty of navigation and expense of parking. The crime rate isn't a lot of fun, either. As far as I can tell I am at more risk here in Ballard than anywhere else I have lived, which I find stunningly strange.

Krawk!

Better they rob their own neighbors don't you think?

Just put an ad in the Ballard News Tribune for a private security person to walk around the neighborhood. Get two or three hired at 10 bucks and hour and then we can look at how to pay them. It's well worth the money and will save us all a lot of time.

We can be cheerleaders for the Seattle Police all we like.

I am worried about stopping the guy with a box cutter before he hurts someone, NOW, not in 45 minutes after he is long gone. Or breaking up the brawl in the park before some father gets pulled in trying to protect his family who are strolling through. The police say “don't be afraid to use the parks.

That is a great help. Thanks

Thats easy for them to say. They have guns and are allowed to use them. We don't.

There is a guy who works nights outside the apartment by 7-11 who is good. Maybe someone could ask him if he wants some side work. He knows all the crazy people by face. Or, the guy in Safeway is nice too, and might need some extra hours. Or, maybe a Ballard doorman who needs money. I am not saying roughing people up. Just explaining niceley, they work for so and so, and since you are breaking the basic laws, you have to move along.

Taking the benches out would help, but ruins the park. It honestly may be the only long term solution though. folding chairs could be brought in for events.

I hear your plea, but not concrete suggestions. How would you suggest we deal with public drunkenness, public urination and defecation, open air drug markets, public “lovemaking”, graffiti, violence, car prowling, and break ins?

Please give us compassionate solutions to each of these behaviors (by the way, I do like your suggestion for a Drug Free Zone and a large group of people in the park). This is a good opportunity to change the direction of our “linear” conversation. You are on the air.

“urban gentrification”

“While those who view gentrification positively cite local reductions in a neighborhood's property crime rate, its critics argue that overall crime rates have not actually been reduced, but merely shifted to different lower-income neighborhoods.”

That said…
I do see drunks and addicts hanging out, but I see also kids just hanging too, visitors enjoying the parks. I have never had a problem with any of them in the 7 years I have been in Ballard. Not one. I am a small build, young white female. Never a problem.

If there is such a problem with drunks and druggies, why is it you want to shove them around and push them out instead of extend a hand to lift them up? i read all the way down this thread and could not find one example of someone suggesting another more kind, compassionate approach. It is so funny to me how linear the thought are here.

So we get “them” (by the way, you can't say this is not a homeless issue…studies have proven the poorer you are the more likely you are to be involved with drugs/alcohol) out of Ballard, away from businesses and tourists, away from young couples and babies and cute little pure bred puppies and the problem goes…where? down the road for someone else to deal with?

another “Ballard” with the same problem.

That is not the way to fix things other than targeting “the guy in the red hoodie” for unknown crimes. What about those business people approaching them and asking them to leave. A group of 80 people down in the park proclaiming it a drug free zone would do a lot more than trying to get a non-existent police force to come out and do something. I don't know..

There must be a better way, people.

The shopping cop guy and the black guy with the red hoodie are walking around downtown Ballard at this very moment. I just saw one of them. Call the cops, see if they even show up, or ask the guys what is going on. Good luck, they won't even respond to the call.

Then, the weird guy with the pitbull and fat girlfriend, who panhndlle came around the corner and joined in with screaming and threatening. The fat con artist girl was not with him. The fight almost broke out a second time with that nut with the pitbull usually by his side.

The two shouted back and forth for about 5 minutes. Every person within two blocks watched the commotion in stunned disbelief. It seems the pitbull guy is no longer living in an RV, but is now pushing around a huge shopping cart full of his junk. The dog is missing

What a mess that park is. I know the police say use it, but I seriously would not suggest it right now. Last week two transients were exchanging punches over a cell phone.

After that cleared out, about 10 “Hippies” from the Chai House took over. Transients is what I call them. They all had back packs and dogs so they are probably homeless teens. I real awakening this morning for sure.

Just curious is anyone ar Veras or another place close by caught the action. Of course, no cops were close by to alert.

I am all for every person having a right to the park, but two weekends in a row a fight breaks out? Mid day?

I just now reread your appeal about contacting the City Council. I should mention that many concerned Ballard Avenue businesses and residents have already met with Councilman Tim Burgess who strongly supports our efforts. If you log on to his website, http://www.seattle.gov/council/burgess/, you will see his outline for his Safer Streets Initiative. Also, as you know, the city is now going through the budget cutting process and will be holding public hearings soon. I'm sure it would be helpful for us to show up and sound off.

Every little bit counts!