Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson announced a new strategy aimed at addressing longstanding public safety concerns in the city’s Little Saigon and North Beacon Hill neighborhoods, combining increased police enforcement with expanded social services and treatment options.
Photo by Ruth Bayang
The initiative focuses on the area around 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street, where residents, business owners and community organizations have raised concerns for years about drug dealing, public disorder and other illegal activity.
According to the mayor, the city will increase police staffing in the area and direct officers to engage with individuals involved in open-air drug sales, drug use and the sale of stolen goods. Those who continue the behavior after warnings will face either arrest and booking into jail or referral to Seattle’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, or LEAD, program.
Seattle City Councilmember Eddie Lin welcomed Wednesday’s announcement.
“Seniors, families, and small business owners in the (Chinatown-International District) and North Beacon Hill are scared to walk around their neighborhood, struggling to access sidewalks and transit, and understandably frustrated by the lack of progress at all levels of government.
Wilson described the strategy as balancing enforcement with access to treatment and support services.
“I’m committed to ending the perception that illegal activity in Little Saigon and North Beacon Hill is acceptable,” she said. “I’m also committed to making sure that people can get the treatment and support they need to change their lives. This is a data-driven, evidence-based approach that fulfills both of these goals.”
The city will also deploy $1.1 million in one-time funding to support additional neighborhood services, including outreach staff, mobile overdose treatment and prevention teams, and community-focused events intended to support residents and businesses.
Valerie Tran, interim executive director of Friends of Little Saigon, said the neighborhood has experienced years of negative impacts tied to public safety issues.
“For too long, the Little Saigon community has demanded clear and decisive leadership from our governments to address the root causes and impacts of the activity at 12th & Jackson,” Tran said. “Little Saigon has endured significant damage to our economic and cultural vitality as a result of the public safety issues in the neighborhood.”
Tran added that the organization supports the administration’s approach and plans to continue working with city officials.
Leaders of the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority also expressed support.
“We hope this strategy is just the beginning of the local government’s commitment to our neighborhood. We look forward to additional meaningful engagement as we continue to support a vibrant Chinatown International District.”
Leave a Reply