109 Replies to "VIDEO: Alki cleared by police, citing crowd size and 'acts of violence'; 3 arrested"

• Kersti Muul May 29, 2021 (9:54 pm)

  Is that Dave’s pic?

  • BlairJ May 30, 2021 (12:15 pm)

    “Dave’s not here!”

    • Lol May 30, 2021 (1:12 pm)

      I’m crying 🤣 Dave’s not here! Best 8 track ever 

• Sky May 29, 2021 (10:04 pm)

  I was down on alki earlier this evening, but I made a conscious choice to avoid alki tonight, and for a good reason. The tik tok party was bound to be a big problem. Watching the news now, I’m glad they’re clearing the beach.. tons of kids- no masks- what a damn mess… thank you spd for controlling things tonight!!

  • Mark May 29, 2021 (11:41 pm)

    https://komonews.com/news/local/defunding-seattle-police-city-councils-plan-starts-to-take-shape

  • Gracie May 30, 2021 (10:13 am)

    A complete mess. No thanks! I’m glad spd responded quickly. Stay safe out there, people. Covid is still very much out there as well.

• TJ May 29, 2021 (10:10 pm)

  Friends of mine were at Dukes when this set off. Complete crap show from what they said, like a flash mob. Girls dancing on cars, one briefly topless. Fights erupting. So much blatant marijuana smoking going on that you could smell it in Dukes. There is no room for any claims of police overreaction here. 

  • M May 29, 2021 (11:09 pm)

    Topless woman dancing on car? Sounds fun. Hardly newsworthy 

  • Spike May 30, 2021 (1:05 am)

    “ Girls dancing on cars, one briefly topless.” CHAOS REIGNS! TERROR CONTROLS THE STREETS!

    • DR May 30, 2021 (6:20 pm)

      “Human sacrifice! Dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria!”

      Thanks for the laugh, Spike. I almost did a spit take and then remembered this quote from Ghostbusters.

  • Brian May 30, 2021 (7:49 am)

    Hold up wait a minute. People were smoking weed? Hold the dang phone that’s too much!

• Alki Resident May 29, 2021 (10:24 pm)

  Thank you SPD for being prepared and your presence today, also to the blog for keeping all of us informed.

• Don McKendry May 29, 2021 (10:30 pm)

  Arrest should have been made.  

  • WSB May 29, 2021 (10:47 pm)

    They have made arrests. Will have to get the total later, we are headed back to HQ.

• Just wondering May 29, 2021 (10:33 pm)

  Glad we went to Spud’s  yesterday!

• Chuck May 29, 2021 (10:36 pm)

  There’s a flood of cars racing up from the beach eastbound via Charlestown, running the stop sign at 47th and gunning it up the hill.   I guess Alki summer has begun early this year.  Great. 

  • SJ May 29, 2021 (10:52 pm)

    Lots of loud cars speeding through the side streets in Admiral. Sounds like a racetrack up here. 

  • Friendly Neighbor May 30, 2021 (12:13 am)

    I’m behind Harry’s Beach House, I couldn’t even walk my dog as cars were racing down 60th burning out. Screaming until about 1030p, people surveilling our cars too. I’m glad it’s over hopefully tomorrow won’t be as crazy. 

  • LaQueta May 30, 2021 (9:39 am)

    We are new to the area, this will be our first summer here. You mentioned “Alki Summer”, is this sort of activity normal throughout summer? I’m wondering because we love going down to the beach and looking at the water, so I am now wondering if we will need to avoid the area more in the next couple months? :(

    • heyalki June 1, 2021 (7:23 am)

      I think as long as you don’t go down there at night it’s usually pretty safe. It’s after dark that it gets sketchy.

  • Just wondering May 30, 2021 (10:47 am)

    Yes.  Heard it all night!

• Alyssa May 29, 2021 (10:39 pm)

  I saw this happening from my friends’ Snapchat’s and tiktoks. I was disappointed to say the least. I know I can’t say much since I wasn’t there in person, but I won’t be surprised if covid cases go back up because of this.

• Local May 29, 2021 (10:40 pm)

  Definitely nowhere near cleared yet, people are simply moving down the street. Saw the armored SWAT truck coming down admiral. Tons of people seem to still think they can get down to the party.

• OnAlki May 29, 2021 (10:42 pm)

  What an absolute wreck. SPD is doing a good job clearing folks right now, but they’ll come back. Just like how roaches scatter when you turn the lights on and then return. As bad as this group was, I fear what will happen at 2-3am more. Historically that’s when it’s been the worst from my experience so far. Hopefully they’re able to keep some officers nearby all night.

  • Jort May 30, 2021 (10:00 am)

    Good thing there’s absolutely positively no history of dehumanizing classes or races of people by referring to them as “roaches.” That’s totally cool to say, particularly given the really obvious racial dynamics to this entire conversation. Super cool.

• Tardiv Dyskonesia May 29, 2021 (10:44 pm)

  I’m a mile away and have heard a constant stream of traffic since the beach was closed. I have never heard so many vehicles for so long. There really must have been a ton of people on Alki earlier.

• Calires May 29, 2021 (10:46 pm)

  I checked here to see what’s going on because it sounds like they’re all exiting via California/Charlestown/Andover area.  I figured that’s what it was – lots of revving engines and speeding going by my house. 

• WS resident May 29, 2021 (10:51 pm)

  Police are blocking residents from getting back to their houses on Alki Ave/Harbor Ave (around 10pm), telling us to just turn around, not listening, and not giving any explanation. This is unacceptable. Do we live in North Korea now?

  • jamjets May 30, 2021 (12:25 am)

    Oh the horror. I’m a pet sitter and needed to get to the client’s home to overnight with their doggie, arriving about the time this was going on.. U-turned at ActiveSpace, went up to California, went north on California, police at the bottom waved me thru as they asked if I was a resident, and I said nope, just a pet sitter headed for a client doggie.  As I am a “ liberal” , I find it hilarious that somebody mentioned “North Korea”. I have watched SPD set up and stage at the boat ramp all day. Overall it looks  to me like they did a pretty good job today.  Unless you are a drama queen.

    • Larsgo May 30, 2021 (6:58 pm)

      We are new to the area, right before covid. Would love to chat about overnight pet sitting! Sounds lime you have some references in the area. 

  • Rikishi May 31, 2021 (12:34 pm)

    No, you do not live in North Korea because a blog like this would be illegal there.

• Cr May 29, 2021 (10:57 pm)

  Grateful for spd response. 

• Long time resident May 29, 2021 (11:04 pm)

  So glad that after years of Alki being over looked we finally have a police presence!  Thank you from the residents who call this place home and have young children living here where the beach is their back yard.  Alki is a small family friendly neighborhood and nature sanctuary, and locals don’t want it to turn into Westwood village or gangster crime Venice beach.  Thank you so much SPD for responding so well today they can take their Tik Tok party elsewhere. 

  • miws May 30, 2021 (5:53 am)

    Long Time Resident, can you link to where you’ve seen info that somebody wants to put a shopping mall down on Alki?—MIke

  • Longtime Westwood Village Resident May 30, 2021 (7:02 am)

    I didn’t realize I lived in such a dangerous part of town. Thanks, neighbor. 

    • South Delridge May 30, 2021 (11:10 am)

      The people up in Alki are special and get preferential treatment. Hilarious because these people have no idea what real violent crime even is. 

      • Wavy D May 31, 2021 (9:46 am)

        There’s definitely an uncomfortable truth in what you say. The comment about about not wanting Alki to turn into Westwood Village was clear in its real meaning: This is an affluent white (aka, “Family friendly”) neighborhood  being visited by non-affluent, non-whites, and they appear to be acting like young people! Now imagine that call comes from Delridge.

  • Thinly veiled racism May 30, 2021 (9:35 am)

    Cool racism, “neighbor.”

    • Stop the BS May 30, 2021 (10:26 am)

      Violence, guns, drag racing comes in all colors. Stop calling everything against this racism.  No better than Qanon lovers

    • Rob May 30, 2021 (11:17 am)

      I’m not sure how Westwood village and crime in Venice Beach have anything to do with racism.   Please help me understand.

      • Still racism May 30, 2021 (2:57 pm)

        I am curious what makes this get together similar to my Westwood adjacent neighborhood. Please, tell me how it is to live here. 

  • Blbl May 30, 2021 (10:03 am)

    Wow. Gross. Sorry, Alki is not your private backyard sanctuary. I’m sure you wish you could build a big ‘ol wall around it, huh?

  • Auntie May 31, 2021 (11:11 am)

    Wow – entitled much, Long Time Resident? Just because some of us don’t live in the tonier parts of West Seattle doesn’t mean we’re a bunch of criminals. 

• Dd May 29, 2021 (11:05 pm)

  That makes it sound like police are  kettling the crowds and possibly escalating the situation. Not good.

• WS Resident May 29, 2021 (11:08 pm)

  I am not a Karen but this is so lame and I’m getting second hand embarrassment. If covid cases go back up and we are locked down before we even had the chance to open, these people are to blame. This is ridiculous. Are we back to 2007? 🙄

  • Steve May 30, 2021 (12:32 am)

    Cases are not going up.  Vax rates are very high in area.  I don’t get this concern.  Do people think that the vaccines actually don’t work? Or that our vaccinatioon rateas arent accurate?  

    • Carole May 30, 2021 (1:24 am)

      Vax rates for West Seattle may be high, but that crowd isn’t just from WS and vax rates in other Seattle neighborhoods are lower.  Plus since this went viral on TikTok there could be folks from Everett to Tacoma or further afield. And vax rates may not yet be high for 16+ teens. Our 17 yr old got his vax as soon as he could once it opened up and only cleared his 2 weeks this weekend.

• ~Hockeywitch~ May 29, 2021 (11:31 pm)

  Thank you SPD for being on top of it today, and dealing with it tonight.  I do not envy the residents that live at Alki (and area), at least tonight/during the Summer. 

• Dzag May 29, 2021 (11:36 pm)

  Thank you Seattle Police  !! 

• MM May 29, 2021 (11:51 pm)

  Thank you SPD!  Great job! Fund our Seattle Police Department to keep our neighborhoods safe!

• StopCuttingDownTrees May 30, 2021 (12:00 am)

  Outstanding job, SPD!!!! Lives were likely saved by you tonight.

• TS May 30, 2021 (12:06 am)

  Drunk teenagers still randomly on the streets, riding scooters in admiral way, narrowly missing getting hit by cars. My driveway is blocked in by an illegally parked car. I know what alki summer can be like. Tonight was something worse. 

• Czsues May 30, 2021 (12:45 am)

  Wow all those cops at boat launch and it didnt prevent this. Next time we should just have spd burn the money. 

  • Anne May 30, 2021 (6:21 am)

    Just exactly  what did you want them to do?  

    • GladIDontLiveonAlki May 30, 2021 (10:15 pm)

      They could start fining people when they fail to leave the beach after hours and give tickets to any of the drag racers. They should have been doing this all along, before people get the idea to throw massive parties here. Hit people where it hurts….their pocket books. At least recoup some of the costs og police overtime. 

      • Curious May 31, 2021 (12:13 pm)

        Unless someone’s life is in danger there is no fine for anything. All last summer the parks staff would drive through announcing the park was closing around 10:00 p.m., people would leave for about ten minutes and then return and stay until 2 or 3 a.m. shooting off fireworks, drinking, playing loud music, and having illegal fires because the firepits were closed. There is no enforcement and people breaking the law know it.

  • The King May 30, 2021 (12:19 pm)

    I can only imagine where this scenario would have gone if the police were not there and instead the city sent in a kind word specialist or whatever the plan is to replace police. 

• Beepee May 30, 2021 (12:46 am)

  Does anyone remember if there were any problems like such several years ago after the sub pop party? Or is this more recent and led by people needing to get out because of covid ?

• Rara May 30, 2021 (1:00 am)

  Thank you Spd where can I volunteer? 

• Ed May 30, 2021 (1:36 am)

  Was caught in the traffic on beach drive. Saw a dude who was Str8 hit by a silver Acura that sped off. He seemed okay and had a friend by. Asked if he was hurt at all. He gestured no problems back. I tried to garner attention of police riding by on bikes, but I suppose it was too loud and they didn’t hear me saying I’d just witness a hit and run. Smh. 

• Mark May 30, 2021 (6:05 am)

  SPD demonstrated excellent preparation and engagement strategy.  They maintained control over what could have erupted into a disaster.  Many many thanks to their professionalism and early planning and comforting presence.  As a longtime resident of Alki, many of us are hardworking tax payers and really appreciate seeing our tax dollars spent wisely funding our Seattle Police Department.

• anonyme May 30, 2021 (6:05 am)

  Unfortunately we live in an era that requires more police, not less.  Fund police.

• Karen May 30, 2021 (6:07 am)

  Thank you SPD…. Very dangerous, circumstances avoided.  Disrespectful, destructive behavior.

• Diana May 30, 2021 (6:27 am)

  Years of listening to summer begin at Alki. Sometimes wishing it wasn’t quite so loud. But last night I was actually scared. I had the feeling folks were going to get hurt. Just the numbers. So I am grateful the area was cleared. I know it will be a mess this morning. Sorry it had to end that way though

• momosmom May 30, 2021 (6:36 am)

  Looks like this is the saying for the Holiday weekend!

• Mellow Kitty May 30, 2021 (6:52 am)

  This is why we can’t have nice things. 

• Joe Z May 30, 2021 (7:59 am)

  I would like to nominate several of these comments for the WSB commenting hall of fame. 

• West Seattle Hipster May 30, 2021 (8:00 am)

  While I support SPD and the efforts to maintain order, I have to chuckle at some of the comments here.  Anyone who has lived in WS for an extended period used to cruise Alki when they were younger, and probably did many of the shenanigans mentioned here.  Having a very good time on Alki is nothing new, it’s been going on for decades.  And if you are a new resident, then blame your real estate agent for not telling you.

  • GC May 30, 2021 (10:32 am)

    I was born and raised in WS and did a lot of partying and cruising on Alki. The difference was that we complied with the cops and knew there would be consequences if we did not.

    • J May 30, 2021 (11:38 am)

      100% agree with GC. Also born and raised in WS/Alki area and of course we partied at Alki. But it was much tamer –  guessing no one had guns, or fear of guns. We didn’t take over the street. Pretty much ran when the cops came for fear of being caught drinking while underage. This is much worse, so much so that I gave up my Alki home to move to Admiral district two years ago. Tired of the traffic, parking on residential streets, cruising, late crazy nights. Sorry, West Seattle Hipster, this is worse than it used to be!

    • waikikigirl May 30, 2021 (12:52 pm)

      GC, Exactly! It’s one thing to pull a few “shenanigans” but this is just plain disrespectful. And I don’t understand how so many people were raised like this? Don’t say “oh they’re just having fun, weren’t you a kid once”, yes I was and I did a lot of things I shouldn’t had but I also never did anything that was disrespectful to “me” or anyone else.

    • Carole May 30, 2021 (1:07 pm)

      Did your partying and cruising “back in the day” also include assaults, robbery, and random gunfire?  This is way beyond just cruising.

    • ~Hockeywitch~ May 30, 2021 (5:19 pm)

      EXACTLY GC!!! And the numbers of people showing up wasn’t as high.I have only lived in West Seattle since 1993, and I don’t live at Alki,  but I live close and frequent the area.. Given these new platforms to “invite” people to these gatherings, the people have increased  at least 2 fold… People used to comply when Police gave notice to shut it down, now days they throw bottles, rocks and other things at them, and jump on their cars because They will look sooooooo cool on their Instagrams, Tik Toks, FB, _____________(Insert social media site here).

  • Pam May 30, 2021 (1:29 pm)

    I thought it looked very late 70’s.  I’m grateful for the police presence to keep things from getting out of control, used to be a fight was a beer bottle to the head but so many guns now, better to keep a presence of rule and order.  

  • Pepper May 30, 2021 (2:07 pm)

    Yup – grew up in West Seattle, went to Alki elementary, Madison Jr Hi – West Seattle High grad. 100% can testify to the fact what was going on last night on no planet, in any parallel universe resembles a “back in the day” shout out. What went down last night? Terrorized the community. Guns – 1,000s of frenzied baked, mostly wasted folks going bananas – this event last night was at a scale that make most “long time” West Seattlites (or new comers) toes curl. The police acted with a firm hand and grace. “Kids will be kids doesn’t fly” – its a gross counterfeit correlation to suggest population massing at Alki now in any way resembles “good fun” seekers. This was a mob completely out of control at numbers, staggering even from Alki’s high volume days standards… That many people in a place with limited egress, and flooding neighborhoods – kids, our elders, community small town vibe of WS where side streets turned into raceways? Not a snapshot of the “good ol’ days” – sorry.

• Seattlite May 30, 2021 (8:15 am)

  Thank you SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT!  Seattle’s police officers are the BEST!

• Total Buzzkill May 30, 2021 (8:47 am)

  Has it been so long since we’ve been to a party that we’ve forgotten the rules? When the cops show up that just makes it more exciting. The international signal that the-party’s-over-get-out is when the host turns on the lights & starts picking up the garbage.Instead of all those police cars, stage a fleet of garbage trucks at the boat launch. With just enough trash inside to really marinade in the sun all afternoon. Position some SDOT construction lights on the beach. Around dusk, roll the pungently ripe trucks down Alki to get ready for the post-sunset cleanup. Have a traffic cop slot them into the cruisers, like 1 stanky truck between every 4-5 cars. Slowly rolling along in that traffic.Then after dark turn the lights on so the cleanup team can pick up all the trash. Between the noise & smell of the trucks, plus the lights, I don’t think anyone would have to employ a bullhorn to clear the crowd. And we’d have a clean beach without a bunch of trash blowing around all night.

• nofun May 30, 2021 (8:51 am)

  I was down there to check it out. Kids have been in lockdown for over a year. They were just listening to music and having fun. A couple of fist fights but nothing major. What ever happened to the 60s. Sometimes I feel like Seattle is most controlling passive aggressive uptight place on earth. Someone is complaining that’s girl was topless?? Clutch my pearls!!!  Sure miss the liberal 60s. Maybe we should start some John Birch Society meetings here?  Relax people. Smoke a joint. Chill out. It’s a holiday weekend. Let kids light a beach fire and party a little bit. This is why I will never be a butt clenching progressive. Too much fear.

• Diane May 30, 2021 (9:25 am)

  Remember this Alki riot back in the day?                                                      

  Youth riots

  Alki Beach riot of 1969

  Sometimes riots occur after sports events, parties or public events, or for no clear reason. Sometimes, people drink too much and decide to blow off steam. On Aug. 11, 1969, a disturbance occurred at a rock concert at Alki Beach in West Seattle, which escalated when people claimed police harassment. A Seattle Police Department vehicle was set ablaze as officers arrested two men drinking beer in the park. Hundreds in a crowd of some 2,000 youths brawled with police, who fought with clubs and gas that made people sick. Rocks were thrown and arrests were made in the three-hour fight. Complaints poured in over excessive force used by police, including the indiscriminate use of gas. Some canisters were fired into neighboring homes and groups of innocent bystanders.

• AlkiJoe May 30, 2021 (9:27 am)

  Simply not enough space in Alki for all the visitors we get. Now this! Where did these revelers all leave their cars? Or did they come by bus? Hahahah. May be time to control access to Alki to avoid overcrowding. Would require less police presence if the carrying capacity of Alki wasn’t always exceeded.

• Alki Jack May 30, 2021 (9:32 am)

  Addressing, “WEST SEATTLE RESIDENT”. I take exception to your comment that the SPD would not let you return to your residence. I turned at California Place to head back to our condo and the police had Alki Ave shut down. I said can I just go to our home on Alki. The cop said are you a resident, I said yes, he said come on through. I took a left and drove to our condo building and went right in the garage, no problem! SPD did a great job last night and that situation could have erupted into something very bad if it wasn’t for SPD. This is an area for everyone. Family’s, older citizens, children etc. NOT JUST DRUNK PUNKS RAISING HELL AND MAKING NOISE.

  • Brian May 30, 2021 (9:53 am)

    Maybe take two seconds to think about somehow someone different than you had an entirely different interaction with the police. 

    • Rob May 30, 2021 (11:22 am)

      In the past I have been turned away by police when I was trying to get home onto Alki Ave.    It does happen.  I was annoyed but understanding.  It was late and I was coming back from a very long drive so it was not pleasant, but, I did get home by trying a few different routes.   Things change very rapidly as well.  From car to car we may have different instructions based on the instructions the officer is receiving.

• amrakx May 30, 2021 (9:55 am)

  Excellent SPD planning and organizing their response to what could have erupted into downtown Seattle / Capitol Hill destruction.  We absolutely value SPD and sincerely hope this full court press coverage of Alki continues throughout summer and beyond.  It’s a wonderful beach and park  that everyone should respect and enjoy.  Thank you to our SPD, you are always welcome here.

• DW May 30, 2021 (9:57 am)

  The question that comes to mind is why it was allowed to get so crowded in the first place? 

• YesQueen May 30, 2021 (10:44 am)

  First love Mellow Kitty’s comment! Next I think the police did a great job. Haven’t seen any property damage and it was quite after midnight which a change for down here anytime in the summer! 

• Scubafrog May 30, 2021 (10:56 am)

  This goes to show that SPD still has a commanding, effective presence.  They did a fantastic job, arrested two suspects, and cleared out the whole mob of delinquent tokkers. Kudos SPD, I’m glad there no Officers harmed, considering the size of the crowd (and aggression of the delinquents).  

• Rooster May 30, 2021 (11:02 am)

  I was biking home about 7:30 PM last night and almost got hit twice. Once at Spokane and Avalon/Harbor intersection when two cars full of kids ignored the bike signal and “No turn on Red” sign and cut me off in the middle of the intersection as I was making a left onto Avalon.  Second instance was on Avalon. A motorcycle going about 50 mph came about six inches from me then cut into the protected bike lane and kept going. Major Amateur Night!!! 

• Adam May 30, 2021 (12:01 pm)

  Thank you SPD!

• Moe May 30, 2021 (12:12 pm)

  My family went down to the beach around 7 to roast marshmallows and bonfire on the beach. The entire area was swarmed with ignorant people “acting a fool” and intentionally being disruptive, not to mention aggressive and antagonistic towards the police. As we watched from dinner it got progressively worse. The entire thing was embarrassing and shameful. I wish the police had been there to regulate and shut down the streets earlier, but am really grateful for their presence. And on behalf of all the idiots, I apologize. And to the idiots: grow up. 

  • WSB May 30, 2021 (1:32 pm)

    The police *were* there earlier. We happened onto them at Don Armeni before 2 pm.
    https://twitter.com/westseattleblog/status/1398745449138311169
    (and the story we published an hour later)

• MATTHEW SELLARS May 30, 2021 (12:17 pm)

  In response to last night’s melee on Alki, following, is the letter I wrote to Councilmember Lisa Herbold. As long time residents of West Seattle we are beyond frustrated with what has become of the summertime situation down there.Dear Councilmember Herbold-I am writing to ask you what your office and the city plan to do about the situation on Alki Beach. Yesterday, my wife was nearly hit by a motorcycle speeding ON the bike trail. Further along, as she was using the diagonal bike crossing signal at the intersection of Harbor Avenue and Spokane Ave SW, two hopped up cars full of young partiers tried to run the light and cut her off. As long time West Seattle residents, we’ve endured ridiculous scenes like this every summer: Gangs of motorcyclists doing wheelies, young (generally male) people driving their super loud tuner cars, doing burnouts and racing at Jack Block Park, obnoxious influencer types using our neighborhood as a backdrop for their vacuous behavior, vandalism, robberies, fist fights, leaving garbage everywhere and the list goes on and on. We’re sick and tired of it- especially right now, when we have absolutely run out of patience with our traffic situation. One thing we are demanding that does not get added to the bridge situation, is hordes of disrespectful beachgoers clogging up the roads, while we are simply trying to go to work, come home and enjoy this place that we pay a lot of property taxes to live in!!! Every time I ride my bike or walk my dog on Alki in the summertime, I can sense the gang atmosphere. Every time I walk along Beach Drive just south of the lighthouse in the evening, pedestrians are forced to walk in the street because of the lowrider car enthusiasts who throw impromptu parties, drinking and smoking weed and vibing anyone who ventures to walk through the midst of it. AND they’re not even supposed to have their cars there in the first place because of the street’s greenway status. The Tik Tok party that happened last night should become an election issue, because we’ve dealt with this crap for years and it’s time to put an end to it. Party’s over. Period.Thank you for the prompt courtesy of a reply.Sincerely, MS

  • Steve Z. May 30, 2021 (1:54 pm)

    Bravo!

  • ScubaFrog May 30, 2021 (4:57 pm)

    I’m afraid you’re incorrect re Lowriders.  Re your  association of ‘gangs’ with ‘lowrider culture’, and then ‘lowrider culture’ with ‘impromptu parties’, I’m afraid you’re incorrect.  Lowrider culture is about art, peace, and promotes education and finding a better way of life than gangs via hard work.   Lowriding has a fascinating history, it deserves not to be slandered.

    • JohnW May 30, 2021 (5:54 pm)

      Hey Frog,Respect, for the historicall cinema of Cheech and Chong and their lowrider “MUFF-DVR.”

    • What Do I Know May 30, 2021 (6:08 pm)

      Absolutely correct. Usually once each summer a group of lowriders park their cars along Alki for everyone to admire for the day. They are truly works of art and one can tell a lot of care went into their design and care, some sparkling like gem stones. Thanks for making this distinction.

  • Steve Alki May 31, 2021 (6:20 pm)

    That’s a great letter. I’ve lived on Alki and raised my son here. I saw a motorcycle going 80mph from 53rd past Bonaire through the crosswalk. This is so out of control. Saturday was one of the most peaceful days down here in years. Let me know what I can do to help. 99% of the people coming down here are just having fun. 

• Come together May 30, 2021 (2:10 pm)

  What are some ideas people have to solve the variety of Alki issues and change things for the better? Beyond just increasing the police presence, any other creative community solution ideas to decrease some of this activity?

  • Mark Schletty May 30, 2021 (3:05 pm)

    Police presence without law enforcement is not going to cut it. Until there are citations, arrests, prosecutions and consequences nothing will really change. I’m not talking about serious consequences for partying. I am talking about serious consequences for breaking the laws while driving. These offenses are not only obnoxious but also dangerous.  Cite, arrest, prosecute and then impound the cars of the repeat offenders. They can’t keep doing it without their cars or motorcycles. And maybe having to get a job to pay big fines to get their vehicles back might make them appreciate civility. 

  • Steve Alki May 31, 2021 (6:22 pm)

    Speed bumps 

  • Come together June 1, 2021 (9:43 am)

    Maybe someone could initiate a neighborhood organization with a mission to help shape the Alki neighborhood culture in a positive way, while addressing and reducing some of these unwanted activities and concerns. Start a website, seek community comments, concerns, and ideas, recruit members, make change happen.

    A couple ideas coming to my mind…

    Close a section of roadway along Alki, near restaurants and shops, making it a pedestrian friendly shopping and dining zone. Either permanent, or a seasonal thing, and between certain hours. Picture outdoor cafe style tables and chairs, vendors, food carts, music, maybe even a farmers market or permanent market… turn Alki into a market like street! 

    Plan regular family events down on Alki that draw a lot of families, making it more family friendly might make it less of an appeal for certain activities… take the street from unwanted traffic, fill the area with family friendly activities… come together as neighbors and create a new Alki vibe!

• Admiral May 30, 2021 (2:46 pm)

  Nothing quite says “privilege” like consciously choosing to live at one of Seattle’s few beaches then complaining that it’s too noisy and busy and demanding the police crack down.  I’m I to believe the racial and ethnic background of the people from “outside the neighborhood” have nothing to do with the complaints?  

  • Curious May 30, 2021 (6:27 pm)

    Hmm, the issues raised “judged people … by the content of their character.”

  • wscommuter May 30, 2021 (7:18 pm)

    No … last night was different.  We live near Alki and the normal summer scene is no big deal.  Lots of kids, cars, bonfires,  some noise and occasional fireworks and alcohol and pot … we get it and not something that we get uptight about.  Last night wasn’t far off from being a riot (watch the video above of the herds running in the street … the video of the girl dancing on top of a police car while the crowd cheers …  etc. … last night was different and that situation should be unacceptable.  It’s actually remarkable that there weren’t serious injuries given the behavior.  I give great credit to SPD for handling this situation … but a TikTok-driven flash mob is not what any area in the city should have to deal with.  

• Ruckus May 30, 2021 (2:53 pm)

  Adrenaline was toxically high at Alki Beach last night, but there was something else, too. A kind of collective madness in the air that seemed to reach out and touch anyone out there. It was what mobs are composed of.

• This Is not Normal May 30, 2021 (4:23 pm)

  I ran a bar on Alki for almost a decade.

  I have seen all kinds of different gatherings. Even had people shelter in place during shootings and dealt with a number of what would be kids acting stupid.

  This was nothing in comparison.

  This was actual chaos and mob rules mentality. The size and recklessness of the group that showed up Is like nothing I have seen in 20  years of being on the beach.

  This was not kids having a good time – it was a mob of idiots.

  Thanks SPD for putting yourself in danger to deal with a bunch of selfish moronic kids. A majority I would gather are not from this area and if they are then hey local parents watch the videos and bust your kids.

• WSB May 30, 2021 (5:48 pm)

  Police recap is now on SPD Blotter (link – also added above). We’re also just back from Alki, where police have another sizable presence tonight, though this time there’s no gathering rumored like last night; separate story to come. – TR

• Alki Jack May 30, 2021 (10:26 pm)

  To Scuba Frog, addressing your comments on low riders. I have no problem with what they are doing….as long as they do it quietly. When I’m on my deck relaxing, I don’t want to hear their ridiculous, child-like, adolescent, loud music and exhaust noise. Act like adults. Respect others right to enjoy their homes and the beach. This beach belongs to family’s, children and elderly citizens. It’s for the enjoyment of everyone of every walk of life, every age and ethnicity. This is the cities beach. Take the hell-raising elsewhere. Thank you SPD for protecting our right to enjoy “our beach”.

• BornHereLongAgo June 1, 2021 (10:55 am)

  These punks were running their fart can drift jalopies on California Ave at ridiculous speeds.  Usually it’s just loud, but this running of cars at criminally reckless speeds is a wholly new animal.  Time for speed bumps from the view point all the way past PCC.  Design them so the Fire Trucks can straddle them, but lowered fart can POS cannot.  Enough is too much.

Sorry, comment time is over.