But, yeah, south of Beacon Hill, or sometimes Mt. Baker, there’s no security presence to speak of. I use the Othello stop and the walk through that desolate block north of Myrtle is kinda creepy after dark. I always keep wishing some developer would build some places that stay open late or somesuch on either side of that block. I always feel better once I reach Rose Petals Restau Ant. Since ST owns one of those empty lots, I sort of wish they would get all Chicago-style and build a little drop-off/pick-up lot, along with an adjoining greasy food joint and donut shop… where they could post some security personnel and have pedestrians around to keep several pairs of eyes on the immediate area.

As it turns out, the stops and stations aren’t a problem so much as bad spots in the nearby neighborhoods were crooks feel they have free reign. Unfortunately, no neighborhood is immune from this; many times I actually feel safer down here than waiting at certain UW bus stops at night.

(@APJ, sorry to hear about this incident. I hope you all are feeling better)

It sucks right ow that it is dark when you go to work and dark when you get off. At least during the summer you have light til damn near 10:00

And please do not say that thugs can’t be logical, it will just make you look dumber than you think they are.

Thugs watch for bus riders using ipods, cell phone, etc. and then get off the same stop as their victims. They follow them until it is “safe” and then jump them.

They also said the most of the victims have been Asian.

I believe that the suspects were on the train too but I did not see them get off. I did see them cross from the train platform to the west side of MLK. Then they waited on that corner for the light to cross north across Henderson. After arriving at the crosswalk ourselves, we stood and waited for the light to cross to the west side of MLK. The train platform is in the middle of MLK.

When the light changed I heard the group, 5 or 6, cross back to the train platform behind us and then to the west side of MLK where we were headed. We were already victims at this point, it was just a matter of where.

After half a block, we turned onto the Chief Sealth trail that I use every day after work. In hindsight, we should have tried to make it to Vince’s restaurant a block away but I like to give people the benefit of the doubt and I suppose now that I am somewhat naive too.

We were a short distance into the trail when I heard them turn onto the trail too. They said something about how long the steep the hill was and then one of them hit me in the back of the head. I never saw who hit me. I was then pummeled, in the face, by all but one of them.

One went to my wife and pushed and pulled on the purse strap that was across her body. She may have been punched in the body too. She never struggled to keep her purse.

The attack ended after they finally had her purse. My wallet was not taken.

The group back-tracked by crossing Henderson and then MLK. They ran north, the same direction where they were originally going before this started.

My wife and I just looked like easy prey I suppose.

Like I stated before, I use that trail everyday to and from the light rail station. I admit that I always had an uneasy feeling about using the trail, especially when it is dark in the mornings and in the early evening after I arrive home. Now, I drive myself to work.

There was no chance to use a gun or spray. Pepper spray would not have been effective against a large group. I will never carry a gun when moving out of the area is an option. Besides, I am of the belief that if one pulls a gun, one should use the gun immediately or risk being disarmed or shot. I could be looking at charges myself too.

Where does this leave my wife and I? I was on the fence about selling our house here but not any longer. My wife is also now committed to selling. A realtor is stopping by this Sunday. By this time next year, we will no longer live in this area.

In our five years here we witnessed a drive-by shooting, had countless episodes of gunshots in the area including many only yards away from our home, and many, many murders.

The solution? Responsible mothers and fathers that love and care for their children and locking up criminals and especially repeat offenders that already exist.

How to make this happen sooner rather than later? I dunno.

So, since Sound Transit Police say everything fine, lets just do nothing…

Yay SPD…