Concerned neighbors delivered a petition to a top parks official Wednesday night in an effort to combat “an incredible increase of drug trafficking” at Bergen Place and Marvin’s Garden. “We have very heavy daily use of drinking, drugs and sexual behavior,” said one of the neighbors, who asked not to be identified. “It’s not a homeless issue, it is a crime issue,” said another, explaining that much of the drug dealing takes place in the early morning hours.
The petition, signed by 80 Ballard businesses and residents, urges the Department of Parks and Recreation to create an exclusion zone covering Bergen Place, Marvin’s Garden and Ballard Commons Park. Under the rule, police can ban anyone who commits a crime or violates a park rule from visiting that park as well as surrounding parks for 7 days.
The concerned neighbors delivered the petition to Christopher Williams, deputy superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation, moments after he spoke to the Ballard District Council about safety in city parks. Williams said his department is running a pilot program to staff rangers in downtown parks. “We think that rangers would be a good idea for parks all over Seattle,” Williams said, explaining the department intends to ask the city council for funding to expand it outside downtown. One ranger, Cyril Ishem, urged residents to “not be afraid to use the parks” and “constantly call police if you need to.”
Members of the community offered a variety of ideas to bring more people to the parks and discourage criminal activity: schedule regular events at Bergen Place, work with Old Ballard bars to bring live music to Marvin’s Garden, put up a live webcam, pipe in classical music and schedule regular meetings of a knitting club. Williams, meanwhile, promised to meet with a small group of community members to take a harder look at the issue.
February: Homeless “huge issue” at Bergen Place