OTHELLO – This week, in response to an increase in violent crime throughout the Rainier Valley, a local neighborhood group is planning a march and rally at Othello Station.
“The violence in our neighborhood continues,” wrote Nhan Thai in an email to the community. “From street robberies with guns to home invasions while people are at home.”
This month, two people have been killed and at least two others seriously injured in numerous unrelated shootings. There have also been stabbings, carjackings, armed robberies, assaults and home invasions.
The New Holly Pedestrian Safety Team is organizing the event this Fri., Feb. 3, starting at the New Holly Gathering Hall (7054 32nd Ave. S.) at 6 pm.
The event is planned for about an hour and will end at Othello Station.
“We are inviting other neighborhoods and organizations to join us in our effort,” said Thai. “No one person, group of neighbors, or organization can do this alone. This is the time to re-energize to make our streets safe for our families and neighbors.”
Who to know, where to eat & what to do in one of America’s most diverse zip codes!
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I will be there!!!
Friday at 6pm Block Watch UNITE!!!!
Can businesses come to this? I think that businesses are impacted by this too.
My car was stolen from the 3300 block of York Ave S, under a bright street light & full moon in front of Apt. Bldg on Jan 10th between 3am & 8am. (1st noticed it was missing then by neighbor but who only later realized it was odd & notified me. I work at home & had not thought to look out to check on it)! It is a green/blue or teal & silver ’98 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited Wagon. Small oval Doe Bay sticker on back & small crack in windshield. Tinted windows, two moonroofs, scoop on front hood, black leather interior. License plate was AAV7093. $500 reward offered for it’s whereabouts. Contact police. Thank you. This is 2nd time stolen in under 2 yrs.
I’m sorry to sound like a nay-sayer…but what do the leaders of this march hope to accomplish? These hoodlums don’t care if we demand to “take back our streets”. There’s a mentality of rightfulness that scoffs in the face of the good. I witnessed darn near the entire meat case of the Othello Safeway get packed into a backpack early this morning…and stared right in the eye of the thief while he muttered “yeah, that’s how we do it”. To further his point, he came right towards me and grabbed 2 cases of beer from behind me before making a beeline for the front door. As my husband ran to alert a clerk, the thief dropped the beer but got away with several choice pieces of steak. This brash type of robbery proves to me that a brigade of citizens walking to lightrail and back will have little to no effect on criminal minds we’re dealing with. I’m glad we’re uniting and making our presence and efforts known, but we need bigger metaphorical guns.
It starts small. I agree we need bigger guns, but the first step is uniting as community to send a message that we will no longer tolerate what has been going on. Look at the civil rights movement. One person who didn’t want to give up their seat created a snowball effect.
Baby steps.
we also need a police force that works with us and not provoke more violence i will be there to take pics
really? comparing a crime wave in a gentrifying neighborhood to the civil rights movement… really?
And Franz Really ‘we need a police force that works with us?” belive it or not they are trying there is too many people in the RV that are still under the mentality of stitches for snitches. what are you going to take “pics” of Police violence or a feel good measure
excellent, hope you were taking photos of D’Vontaveous Hoston to ensure that he was carrying his gun legally
http://today.seattletimes.com/2012/02/man-kicked-by-seattle-cop-convicted-in-unrelated-gun-case/
Fecklesslulu – Our neighborhood needs a lot of work. I’m sorry you and your husband had to witness at the safeway. And I agree that rally events like this doesn’t do much for solving crimes or changing criminals behavior. But I think what we all can agree on is that we need awareness, unity, and action. I hear a lot of “we should do….”, but nobody is doing anything. The New Holly neighbors have been meeting in different committees. We will share what those committees are at the rally so folks can sign up to participate. This rally is a kick off event for us to regenerate energy and participation. And regardless how we feel about the police, we need to work with them. When we are skillful with collaborative work, change happens! Crime prevention takes time and deeper than arresting and prosecuting criminals.
Reading is essential Phil
I’m comparing a situation where people started out small to send a message.
How did the rally go? How many were there?
Feckless, our march was designed to raise awareness among our neighbors, connect with each other, and to let the city know that we’re paying attention, and will be expecting more police presence!
In addition, we have ongoing safety trainings happening, organizing for people to walk home together, meet to organize block watches, and provide support fot thise who have been victims of crime.
Please consider joining us! The march was fun, and it was just the beginning. Community organizing is great work! We’re getting to know each other, and getting the message out that we are our community. Occupy Your Neighborhood!!!
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