To the Editor:
Thank you for updating the community on the status of business break-ins that occurred during August, in your most recent edition (issue 38, “Businesses upset as break-ins increase in the ID”).
The staff of the Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA) takes Public Safety very seriously and works very hard with both the business community and Seattle Police (SPD) to address issues and concerns within the district. It is for that reason that I feel compelled to point out two inaccuracies in the story.
It is very appreciated that May Wan organized a meeting and invited the business’s that experienced the problem to attend.
However, it was the CIDBIA that contacted the West Precinct of SPD and asked them to participate in the meeting and be prepared to discuss with the community the rash of attempted break-ins.
Also, the CIDBIA did not have a meeting with off duty police, but arranged to hire off duty SPD to patrol the district on Aug. 26 and Aug. 28 to attempt to catch criminal activities in progress. To that end, they were successful.
Funds from CIDBIA’s safety program were used to pay these officers. The staff of the CIDBIA has regular meetings and conversations with the Community Police Team, bicycle officers, beat patrol as well as other representatives of SPD.
— Maribeth Ellis, CIDBIA Executive Director
Editor’s note: We regret the inaccuracies Ms. Ellis pointed out. They have been corrected in the article online.
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