High Point meeting toplines – plus, how to help the victim

The full, long story will take a while to write, so for now, a few toplines from tonight’s High Point community meeting, organized by the High Point Neighborhood Association to discuss safety concerns in the aftermath of last Friday’s stabbing: Overflow crowd (photo shows a corner at the front of the big meeting room) at High Point Neighborhood Center, with HPNA leaders up front along with Southwest Precinct top leadership and Seattle Housing Authority reps. … The nearby assault that sent a 16-year-old boy to the hospital 2 hours earlier was a topic of discussion too – he was said to be Somali, and his injuries were described as serious … Asked why the suspect in last Friday’s attack was not charged with a hate crime, police explained that the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office makes the final decision, but so far, they said, their investigation had not turned up evidence it was a hate crime … SHA management acknowledged there are “tensions” between groups of teenagers and promised more programs at the center and in nearby Commons Park in time for summer … A long line of people spoke at the meeting, with many different perspectives: Some criticized HP management. Some criticized police; some complimented them. Some criticized troublemakers’ parents. Others challenged HP residents to get to know each other better. … Now, a note that was NOT discussed at the meeting, because of its length (2 1/2 hours) and intensity: HPNA president Jennifer Cobb just sent word of the announcement they forgot to make as the meeting wrapped up:

We are collecting donations for the woman who was attacked. Make checks payable to the High Point Neighborhood Association and drop off at the High Point Center or mail to HPNA – 6400 SW Sylvan Way/Seattle, WA 98126 by Friday, May 14th.

As we’ve reported, the 40-year-old victim is home now; the 22-year-old suspect is charged with first-degree assault, jailed in lieu of $1 million bail, and scheduled for arraignment in two weeks. Again, our full story on tonight’s meeting is in the works.

8 Replies to "High Point meeting toplines - plus, how to help the victim"

  • Concerned April 30, 2010 (7:56 am)

    I drive along 35th Ave. SW through the Highpoint area every day several times a day for 43 years.
    … for the last few weeks in the evening (6:30 – 7:30 pm) I’ve been concerned because of all the young men wondering back and forth on both sides of the street (Walgreen area, corner store area) and across the street (U-Haul – Laundry area) … they walk across the street right through traffic running right in front of my car(other cars) … yelling at each other, laughing, pushing at each other … makes me feel
    uncomfortable. … even more so now!!!

  • LLP April 30, 2010 (10:53 am)

    Last weekend I drove east on Morgan through 35th about 20 minutes before the stabbing occurred. There were a group of 15 or so black men sitting and standing outside the corner market drinking from large beer cans (I was close enough to see they weren’t drinking Rock Star or Monster). I’ve also seen the increase in “milling around” traffic and the men darting back and forth in front of car traffic against red lights. Do they think it’s a game?? I know these items are completely unrelated to the stabbing but the discussion has moved to a broader look at the HP situation. With the police station just down the street, I’m amazed at how brazenly this group of men disregard the laws set out to protect them and their communities. Or is it possible they do not live in HP but come to that intersection for its reputation of drug exchanges and the apparent lack of police interest at what happens there?

  • T_Bickle April 30, 2010 (11:33 am)

    Police are useless.

  • marco April 30, 2010 (11:43 am)

    Who were the camera crews from? Does anybody know where we can see footage?

    Thanks! Marco

    • WSB April 30, 2010 (11:47 am)

      KOMO was there briefly but so briefly that they were leaving when Patrick came back (he’d forgotten the camera battery) around 6:10 or so. I don’t see any other coverage in Google News besides this (and I am writing my long version now, fast as I can). Is there a Somali-language public-access channel? If there is, I wouldn’t be surprised if they’d brought a camera.

  • marco April 30, 2010 (12:33 pm)

    Indeed, I saw them filming in the back as well.

    Did you see their earlier (4/26) report? I don’t think I have seen that mentioned yet:
    http://westseattle.komonews.com/content/man-he-wanted-put-knife-my-neck
    (interview with victim and her daughter)

  • nuni April 30, 2010 (4:01 pm)

    are these “groups of teenagers” living in high point? WHERE ARE THESE KIDS PARENTS!!!??

  • laurel May 1, 2010 (8:56 am)

    The US has cracked down on Somalia immigration due to fraud. Europe has as well. DNA tests showed that “family members” were indeed not related and almost all the applications were fradulent. So this poor woman’s husband will most likely not be coming to the US. Our society has to figure out what to do with the Somalias that are here now because the boys and some girls are really getting drawn into crime and violence. Their parents are unable to supervise and the kids are stealing, not attending school and involved in violence. The stabbing supect sounds like a young man who has just become schizophrenic or something – very weird. That community needs help – thank for bringing attention to this issue.

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