SEATTLE has seen a spike in violent crime that has left a 15-year-old and a police officer killed in recent weeks.
The surge in crime is so significant that several businesses including Amazon and McDonald’s have suspended operations in the downtown area over safety concerns.
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Violent crime in Seattle increased by 20 percent last year, reaching the highest levels in 14 years, according to the Seattle Police Department.
The crime surge has particularly affected the downtown area, which in recent weeks has seen four murders, including that of teenager Michael Del Bianco on March 2.
On March 5, a man was shot dead by police after he rammed his car into a downtown federal building and fired a rifle, police said.
Days earlier, a man was killed near an Amazon office building in the same area, where another man was also shot in the face on February 21.
Shortly after the wave of shootings Amazon announced it would temporarily move 1,800 employees from the office building, citing the surge in violent crime.
Homelessness has also become more visible in downtown Seattle, according to several business owners.
“As Covid came in and downtown emptied out, I feel like the criminal activity has really taken over the streets,” bakery owner Olga Sagan told Fox News.
“It was to the point where it’s an open drug market.”
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While the downtown area has been the center of the surge in violence, other areas of Seattle have not been spared from the crime.
Police officer Dominique “Dom” Calata, 35, died after being struck during a shootout with an assault suspect in a mobile home park, per The Seattle Times.
Earlier this month a 45-year-old man died after being shot at a homeless encampment in the Chinatown-International District neighborhood, Fox13 reported.
Seattle police have said they are boosting their presence downtown following the recent shootings.
Chief Adrian Diaz announced police would be “launching an initiative to curb the violent criminal behavior in the area surrounding 3rd Ave., between Pike and Pine St.”
A mobile precinct was placed in the area, but neighbors told kiro7 they worry the fix is temporary.
“Neighbors say they’re relieved to see the crowds openly using drugs gone – but say it shouldn’t have taken the murder of a kid,” said reporter Deedee Sun.
“They’re worried when police leave, trouble will return.”
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