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Belltown residents urge council to act on open-air drug markets
Summary
Multiple Belltown residents and business owners told the Public Safety Committee that open drug use and sales are driving residents and customers away and called for more coordinated enforcement and services.
Residents and business owners from Belltown told the Seattle Public Safety Committee on July 28 that daily open drug use and public disorder are degrading the neighborhood and threatening both safety and local commerce.
"Belltown's a dense, walkable, transit oriented, mixed income neighborhood... but today, those strengths are being undermined by an entrenched, organized, open air drug market," said Jessica Norton, who identified herself as a 54-year resident and business owner in Belltown. Tom Graff, chair of Belltown United, said open drug use on Blanchard is "unacceptable" and urged the council to press the mayor for clear direction to the police department.
Other speakers — including Greta Levinson and David Levinson — described tents, people openly using and dealing drugs, public urination and unsafe conditions that have pushed some tenants and customers away. Residents urged a mix of enforcement and social services; several commenters said diversion programs can work for some people but that city services must be available during late hours and be coordinated with enforcement. Chair Robert Kettle and SPD staff pointed to targeted patrols and warm-handoff practices in areas such as 3rd Pike and Pine and Little Saigon, while also acknowledging gaps in overnight coverage.
