Seattle downtown really dodgy (Bellevue, Redmond: hotel, transfer, theater)

[tigerwu]

We moved to Bellevue a few months ago and went to seattle downtown a few times after dark. Every time, getting back to the car, we were accosted by homeless people asking for money in threatening manners. One time around 7pm in front of the Westin Hotel, 2 very aggressive guys approached us from the front and the back of the car. I had a really tough time getting my 2 small kids into the car safely. One was yelling at me for some reason and the other came right up to my kids. I cant believe the city is not doing anything about this problem. I understand the live and let live liberal attitude here. But this is ridiculous. NYC was like this in the early 90s until mayor Jiuliani cleaned it up. Now the city is thriving. When is Seattle going to do the same??!

[Brookdale46]

Originally Posted by tigerwu

We moved to Bellevue a few months ago and went to seattle downtown a few times after dark. Every time, getting back to the car, we were accosted by homeless people asking for money in threatening manners. One time around 7pm in front of the Westin Hotel, 2 very aggressive guys approached us from the front and the back of the car. I had a really tough time getting my 2 small kids into the car safely. One was yelling at me for some reason and the other came right up to my kids. I cant believe the city is not doing anything about this problem. I understand the live and let live liberal attitude here. But this is ridiculous. NYC was like this in the early 90s until mayor Jiuliani cleaned it up. Now the city is thriving. When is Seattle going to do the same??!

The sooner the better. Seattle has a "progressive" problem, in that it bends over backwards not to offend the criminal element or the homeless--after all, it's not THEIR fault they are criminals or homeless, just bad luck in life!

I know this is an exaggeration, but then again, we all know where the drug deals go down, year after year. I love downtown Seattle...during the day, but I no longer go there at night, which means I have had to change some habits, such as attending the symphony and other nighttime cultural events. It's the price I have to pay for the city's inaction.

Others of course will say that it is perfectly safe downtown after dark. To each his or her own opinion.

[RunTheDistance476]

Completely agree with the OP. I have NEVER been to the Seattle CD or downtown and not have been aggressively harassed by the homeless people. Many of them are mentally insane and we all know what that gets us. There needs to be cops everywhere downtown and taking care of business before this issue will be resolved. It makes this beautiful city look so bad.

On the contrary, downtown Bellevue is AWESOME and I have never had any issues there, day or night.

Maybe if you had a weapon on you of some kind (mace, for example) you could rest a little easier. I would recommend no one go downtown Seattle without some type of defense.

[cjg5]

I have never been "accosted" in Downtown Seattle in a threatening manner, be it daylight or nighttime. I have been asked for change at bus stops before, but it was NEVER in a threatening manner, and if you say no they just move on.

Now, I hate going downtown in general, but when I was younger going downtown every so often was an essential and unavoidable part of my life (mostly for bus transferring, but not always). Even in recent years when I've been downtown, both during night and day, I have never been accosted or threatened or felt unsafe at all. In fact I sometimes get a kick out of people playing their instruments on the street with their cases open for donation, and will sometimes throw in some loose change or a dollar. Nothing threatening there!

[RunTheDistance476]

I like the people playing music, actually (although, I bet they don't pay taxes :P). Yes, there are a lot of other homeless people that make funny signs or are pretty friendly (sure they want your money, but they just ask or tell you a joke and that is it). But, there are threatening homeless for sure. Not only have my girlfriend and I been harassed multiple times (by stalking, yelling, etc.) but I have watched homeless people harass small outside vendors (selling hot dogs or something), harass families on the waterfront, yell at people near Westlake center.

It really is pretty bad and I would say much worse than other cities.

[Vinylly]

Originally Posted by tigerwu

We moved to Bellevue a few months ago and went to seattle downtown a few times after dark. Every time, getting back to the car, we were accosted by homeless people asking for money in threatening manners. One time around 7pm in front of the Westin Hotel, 2 very aggressive guys approached us from the front and the back of the car. I had a really tough time getting my 2 small kids into the car safely. One was yelling at me for some reason and the other came right up to my kids. I cant believe the city is not doing anything about this problem. I understand the live and let live liberal attitude here. But this is ridiculous. NYC was like this in the early 90s until mayor Jiuliani cleaned it up. Now the city is thriving. When is Seattle going to do the same??!

Perhaps the city will change when the mayor of Seattle will change, along with the city council, just like New York. At this time panhandlers are of a privleged status in Seattle. If you are an illegal alien and a panhandler, you stand above all the rest, making you a protected species.

[pwright1]

I have been to probably every big city dt in North America and I honestly can say its near the top as far as me feeling safe. In 13 years of going dt I never had an issue. It's not perfect. But what big city downtown is free of homelessness or even mentally ill? I worked in dt Bellevue but for cultural amenities and nightlife it just lacks. I too would often see the Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall, a show at the 5th Avenue Theater, a concert at the Paramount or just hang out in Belltown. Right now I live in Los Angeles and though it's going thru a rebirth it makes dt Seattle look and feel like dt Kirkland.

[azoria]

There are plenty of annoying beggars, loudmouths, trashy street people, and some serious lunatics in downtown Seattle.

I don't care really.

You just have to learn the urban behavior of looking right through people like they're not even there.
You don't see them, you don't hear them, they don't exist.

Those people thrive on attention. Don't give them any.


--I've even had some of those annoying clods get right in my face "HEY LADY, CAN'T YOU HEAR ME?"--
I have perfected the glazed empty stare. You are not there.

Just for fun sometimes I throw some foreign language at them. If they think you don't understand English they leave quickly.

Ignore these creatures. It's easy once you get the hang of it.

[Hemlock140]

When you have that "tourist" look they will be more aggressive. Especially if your car has a Bellevue dealer name on the plate holder. They think you are rich and would be happy to give up some cash to have them leave you alone. You should write to the City Council and tell them they are losing your business, and the associated tax revenue.

I walk through there every day morning and afternoon and get asked for money 2-3 times but don't even bother to answer and they have never reacted in nearly two years. They know that us commuters are not going to give them money, but they are spoiled by the many out-of-state and foreign tourists that give them handouts all summer. I see them hitting people up right in front of policemen, they won't bother them unless they get really nasty. The worst ones are those with mental health issues that should be on medication but can't afford it or spend their little money on drugs or booze. They can be unpredictable, when I see them ahead I cross to the other side of the street. Still, the problem in Seattle is far less than many other big cities.

[martha_turtle]

Funny there seems to be a lot more panhandlers in downtown Redmond. There was a policeman working construction traffic about 10ft from a panhandler with a cardboard note at a traffic light. I watched out of the window for a good hour and the police turned a blind eye to it. So if they won't do anything what hope is there?