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Seattle Culture...........acceptable I think not

Started 3 years ago by rockergirl
Latest reply from JoB

rockergirl
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Read with some interest the story of a man being brutalized and nearly killed in Seattle recently and several other bad incidents that happened to him while living in Seattle for a pretty short period of time with interest. Great article by Danny Westneat, Seattle Times staff columnist (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/dannywestneat/2009003719_danny08.html)I wonder how everyone feels about what is going on in our fine city in regards to the issues he brings up in his article - such as police turning basically a blind eye to his attack - Seattle's acceptance and tolerance of indiscriminate and undesirable lifestyles of those who "hang out" downtown. I for one do not socialize much in the evenings downtown but also do not want to be afraid or live in fear if I do have to go downtown either. Also as we all know we have seen quite a rise in crime in West Seattle area. While I realize no one wants to or should have to put themselves or there life at risk is there more we as individuals could be or should be doing to alleviate some of these problems. I personally have the Seattle non emergency police # programmed into my cell phone and never hesitate to use it as needed as well as 911. Many comments have been made on Times website about the article - interesting to hear the westsiders point of view.

Posted 3 years ago #
austin
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I frequent an establishment in the pioneer square area and am downtown at times ranging from 7 pm to 2 am. Mixed times during daylight as well. I don't get approached, hassled, or attacked (unless you count by cell phone users trying to drive) and I haven't witnessed that happening to other people either. The article you linked to seemed a bit exaggerated to me based on my personal experiences. I could see how any "big city" would seem scary to people from a rural/small town perspective but I've found that Seattle is quite tame compared to most urban areas.

Posted 3 years ago #
rockergirl
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Detroit is not too small town is it Austin? Guy in article is from there and moving back there apparently. Glad to hear your opinion and personal experiences. Thaks for sharing.

Posted 3 years ago #
austin
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Nope, and while I've never been to Detroit the wikipedia article on crime in detroit (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_Detroit) states, "Crime in Detroit, Michigan has declined by 23 percent from 2000 to 2004, but the city's crime-ridden areas have brought it notoriety. In 2007, the city had the sixth highest number of violent crimes among the twenty-five largest cities."

People move back home for reasons other than crime rate as well, but the article wasn't about that. Homesickness, personal relationships, and job status also affect a person's perspective on where they live. I brought up the small town factor because the people I've known personally from out of town who have had problems with living here were either from rural areas and found Seattle too big-cityish, or they were from big cities and found Seattle too smallish. It's definitely not lollypop land but to say that we've got excessive or above average amounts of crime (not counting the "I left my car unlocked and someone took my iphone charger" type of crime) is counter to my day to day experiences in the city.

Posted 3 years ago #
JoB
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i suspect we are missing the larger point which is that our police department is understaffed for the kind of policing needed to eliminate the type of behavior mentioned in that article and i am not sure any major city is that well staffed.. even without budget cuts.

It's a good thing that isn't the only human interest story that can be told about Seattle.

Posted 3 years ago #
Lucile 2
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I think it's all about perspective. I lived in Oakland and loved it. LOVED IT! And I saw some odd stuff (but not as bad as San Francisco). Still, I think it is all about perspective. Haven't had a lot of positive experiences with the SPD, regarding non-emergency situations. Otherwise, I feel very safe here. IMO, Seattle is not that big of a city, and the crime doesn't seem out of hand, although I too have noticed a sharp increase. When I think of negative things about Seattle, the crime doesn't even come to mind. I think the drivers/traffic and government and public transportation are bigger problems, but that is possibly because I haven't been physically attacked and had to deal with it.
However, living in San Francisco, I did get punched by a hooker on the bus. But big deal.

Posted 3 years ago #
Bikefor1
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Exactly Lucile. I think the guy in the article just had a run of bad luck. Could have happened in any city he moved to, when you think about it. (Maybe he shouldn't have shouted at that car that got too close. You never know what kind of maniacs are driving! Get the license plate number and report it.)

Posted 3 years ago #
Jiggers
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Seattle is a tamed city, trust me..

Posted 3 years ago #
HMC Rich
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My first visit ever in Seattle, I was attacked by a group of young adults.

When I lived in the U District I was attacked by a gang just for walking down the street.

When I was working in the SODO area I stopped some young adults from stealing my car.

This happened over a 6 to 8 year period. It can happen to anyone.

It would be easy for me to pull out the race card but that was not the underlying problem.

It is about morals and standards.

I did not put myself in dangerous situations but they happened anyway.

Wherever there is testosterone, too much alcohol and drugs, there will be problems. Seattle seems like a nice city but it has its problems.

Compared to some other cities, Seattle is pretty good. It used to be worse.

Posted 3 years ago #
nuni
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I was walking to the gym the other day when a group of young adults passed by me. I smiled at them as I usually do when I pass people and the one furthest in the front looked at me and told me to f$%! off. She then started laughing. I couldn't believe it.

Posted 3 years ago #
JoB
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This isn't just a Seattle problem, it is one we have nibbled the edges of here on the forum.. the swing away from civility.

when you combine that with desperate times for some you get an increase in both property and personal crime.

it really is tragic that when the economy tanks and we need law enforcemnt more, the first thing our politicians do is reduce the law enforcement budget.

it's a great inducement to the public to increase taxes... but not a good strategy for public safety.

nuni..

you keep smiling at those kids anyway...

i remember when we used to be satisfied with mumbled words about older people.. or my kids used to be satisfied with the hidden finger :)

we grew up. they will too.

Posted 3 years ago #
nuni
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haha I'm only 29..oy

Posted 3 years ago #
JoB
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nuni...

29 is old enough:)

so what did you do when you passed that smiley woman ... that is when you didn't smile back?

in my day we muttered "stupid cow"..

then it turned to "stupid b.tch"..

the it was the hidden finger..

then the not so hidden finger...

then the ugly face followed by the pronounced finger...

and all followed by giggles or outright laughter...

personally i would like to go back to muttering. my hearing is going and if they muttered i could be blissfully oblivious:)

Posted 3 years ago #
JoB
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ok.. maybe 60 isn't old enough:)

i still smile and mutter "f..k you very much" now and then... just loud enough for them to hear but not distinctly enough for them to be sure...

i am not sure what the icon is for a sheepish grin.

Posted 3 years ago #
nuni
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I was kind of confused at first, thinking "did she really say that? Yep, she sure did". So disrespectful.

Posted 3 years ago #
Ken
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I always though a cities "Culture" was derived from its libraries, theaters and universities.

Its crime rate is a function of its density, climate and literacy.

Crime as a per capita rate is actually poorly quantifiable for rural areas due to uneven reporting, detection and perhaps most importantly, lack of opportunity.

As Willie Sutton (probably didn't) say "Go where the money is"

I have lived in or spent time in nearly every large city in the US and Seattle is a paradise of civility and safety by comparison. I have also worked as a body guard, cash courier and cab driver in some of the roughest parts of Boston, DC and New York in the 70's and I would have to say Seattle is the safest place I have ever lived including rural NC where I had to fight the bears over who got to empty the trash can.

Posted 3 years ago #
Ken
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Also note:
When confronted with the occasional imbecilities of youth in groups, say to your self, "I might be _____ (fill in the blank with fat, old, gimpy, slow, whatever offends the young), but stupid is your punishment forever."

Posted 3 years ago #
WSratsinacage
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IMO, it's not so much the economy, it's the population increase .. I've personally seen Seattle in general become less nice over the past 15 years or so.

Posted 3 years ago #
beachdrivegirl
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AKA the seattle freeze

Posted 3 years ago #
charlabob
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Ken, thank you! I've printed in 24 point type to put OVER my computer. :-)

Posted 3 years ago #
nuni
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Yes, that's why http://www.seattleantifreeze.com/ is so great. Going against the grain :)

Posted 3 years ago #
JoB
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LOL ken...

Posted 3 years ago #
JanS
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Ken, you're my hero today - lol...Charlabob...that quote suits you well...hehehehehe

Posted 3 years ago #
bfranklin4206
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its the negitivity within the city that is being broadcasted by the community media in general we must dedicate some alternative source to the positive stuff around us before its gone

Posted 3 years ago #
JoB
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bfranklin4206...

WSB is one of the places doing just that...

Posted 3 years ago #
beachdrivegirl
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Nuni great website!! Thanks for that. :):)

Posted 3 years ago #
bfranklin4206
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the purpose of the crimewatch blog is to prompt locals to spy on their neighbors, foster a snoop climate, and in general heighten paranoia.

Posted 3 years ago #
JoB
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bfranklin4206

LOL.. i don't see it that way at all.

I appreciate knowing what is happening around me so that i can avoid needless danger and if the news includes traffic accidents, i really appreciate knowing which streets to avoid.

I don't keep an eye on my neighborhood, but my dogs do and my neighbors appear to appreciate that:)

just now, my dog pestered me till i retrieved the phone book from the front path...

what the dogs can't tell me.. the crime watch does.

These days, defensive living is as smart as defensive driving. Neither needs to consume your life.

Posted 3 years ago #