(Added: Screengrab from SDOT traffic cam)
Texters are asking about a police response at/near Easy Street Records. This was dispatched as an argument that was drawing a crowd and for some reason moved into the store. Dispatch said it seemed to have something to do with a phone. Police just told dispatch they have one person in custody.
Hello, please keep my name anonymous, I was a witness that called 911. A Caucasian woman and her partner stole a purse from two African American women. They were trying to get their purse back and the Caucasian woman was shouting that she was being attacked when she stole from them. Easy street refused to call 911 and tried to prevent them from entering as the Caucasian woman was trying to run away with their purse through easy street. The women found their belongings with the thief and begged her to return their phone which was pinging to the thief. She refused to give them the phone and accused them of attacking her unprovoked. At that point the police came and arrested the thief. It was highly disturbing to not see more people try to help the women who were robbed. Thank you WSB for always being on top of news! Love you!
Anonymous commenter…u are completely wrong. This is Matt Vaughan, owner of Easy Street. A Caucasian man and woman stole a purse from two African American women at QFC. The police captured the man at Jefferson Square, searched him, but most of the items were w his accomplice. She was able to get away, ran a few blocks and into Easy Street. The black women caught up to her at Easy Street, grabbed their purse and personal items from her. They wrassled outside the shop on the corner. The white girl was yelling “I’m friends with Dave Matthews”, yelling to us that she was being accosted by these black girls. It was clear that was not the case. She ran inside Pegasus Books, the SPD located her, brought her outside onto the corner. The victims were able to get their purse and items back, but one of their phones is still missing. Our store mgr Nathan called SPD at 5:30 btw. We assisted the victims and made sure the white girl didn’t get too far.
Matt, I just want to say thank you — sincerely. I grew up in this area, and as someone who is mixed — Black and white — I’ve always felt welcome and respected in your space. Your venue has been more than just a place for music; it’s been a place where people from all walks of life could come together and feel part of something real.It’s disheartening to see an anonymous accusation try to twist a situation into something it wasn’t — especially when the 911 investigation showed there was no racial motive involved. It’s unfair, and it doesn’t reflect the place or the people I know. What hurts most is seeing someone try to paint your business — one that’s been built with heart and community in mind — in such a negative, divisive way.You’ve always shown up for this neighborhood, and a lot of us see that. Thank you for continuing to create a space that’s inclusive, expressive, and open to all. We’ve come a long way as a community, and it’s because of spaces like yours that we keep growing.
Keep Rockin the Westside! Shannon and Lola beep beep
Glad people help as much as they could. Reflecting on how the race of the people involved made it so we wonder “would it have been the same if the race was switched?” Racism is a pandemic and people cannot help it but wonder…
Uuuuh considering racists are alive and thriving in ‘Merica, it is imperative that those of us with privilege stand up, speak up, and protect our marginalized neighbors.
Witnesses oftentimes are wrong as with this event. It’s well known that multiple people will see something firsthand and they’ll have completely different stories of what unfolds and there’s many reasons for that, it’s an endless list of reasons. Quite often good people can say or do the wrong thing, it happens. We’re all glad the bad people didn’t have their way. Easy Street is one of a kind. It’s the little things they do there that make the place a big deal in my book. And btw, who’s this Dave Mathews person ❤️
Sorry, comment time is over.
| 13 COMMENTS