Why is westfield southcenter mall so unsafe?? (Seattle, Spokane: high crime, movie theater)

[annonymous0381]

A fee days ago there was a shooting at cheesecake factory westfield southcenter mall. Why do incidents always happen at westfield southcenter mall?? According to kiro news this shooting is the 4th shooting at southcenter mall in less than 1 year.

I fell comfortable sticking with Alderwood mall and Bellevue Sqaure mall for safety reasons.

Since I live in northgate seattle Alderwood mall and Bellevue sqaure mall is closer to me anyways.

When I pick people up at sea tac airport westfield southcenter mall used to be a place to kill time and eat a meal before picking up my guests at sea tac airport. I guess it won't be for me anymore.

Im afraid for my safety to go to westfield southcenter mall because of the shootings.

It's too bad southcenter has become unsafe because it is a. Ice mall with good chain restaurants, a nice foodcourt and a nice amc movie theater.

[homesinseattle]

I think those shootings have been gang related. Although the Seattle area has much less of that than other big cities, Southcenter tends to be where it exists.

[Hemlock140]

We have been in this area for 28 years, and Southcenter has always had problems with crime. It's the nearest shopping center to high crime cities such as Skyway, Seatac, Highline and Tukwila itself. One would expect that these days with rampant crime all over and police shortages/limited authority, crime would be a lot worse there. Tukwila is almost always rated the worst crime in the state.

Moderator cut: link removed, competitor site

[the_modern_philosopher]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

We have been in this area for 28 years, and Southcenter has always had problems with crime. It's the nearest shopping center to high crime cities such as Skyway, Seatac, Highline and Tukwila itself. One would expect that these days with rampant crime all over and police shortages/limited authority, crime would be a lot worse there. Tukwila is almost always rated the worst crime in the state.

Moderator cut: link removed, competitor site

There are some really surprising cities on that list, Longview, Spokane, Port Orchard! I am skeptical on some, but it does appear the numbers are from the FBI. But note it is from FBI 2012 data, that is 10 years ago.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by the_modern_philosopher

There are some really surprising cities on that list, Longview, Spokane, Port Orchard! I am skeptical on some, but it does appear the numbers are from the FBI. But note it is from FBI 2012 data, that is 10 years ago.

Yes, I didn't notice that, but do some googling and Tukwila almost always shows up as #1 every year, including this one from January 2022. I'm surprised at Port Orchard, at #7 ahead of Seatac, maybe it just doesn't make the news here.

[mayfair]

Southcenter Mall was a bit sketchy even 30 years ago, but not nearly as bad as now. Tukwila has always been iffy.

[Sockeye66]

I live in Tukwila not far from the mall, moved here 3 years ago for cost and convenience.
Tukwila's oddity is it's a commercial area more than residential. Population is about 20/k residents, there is likely a furniture store for every 100 people here.
The residential areas suffer from higher mail theft/car prowl incidents like we've seen so many areas but don't hear, feel, or read about higher assault crimes.

[NeedSun25]

I go to that mall occasionally and never feel unsafe. Life's too short.

I'm also a teacher. What am I going to do-change careers just in case of a possibility of a school shooting someday? Nope.

You are far more likely going to be a victim to a car wreck than a shooting or gang activity.

[pnwguy2]

I am sure crime is high around Southcenter. Always has been. The location is not great. It is generally in the middle of the Kent, Renton, Burien areas which are not high income areas. In the late 60’s this was a great location but today is problematic.

Tukwila police? Anyone paying attention?

[jabogitlu]

It all depends on how you define crime, I suppose. Somehow this thread has linked poverty with high crime.

I'd say there is much more societal crime happening in Bellevue, where folks are living with massive windfalls stuffed into their bank accounts or other investment vehicles, and routinely lobby and vote to prevent income redistribution to folks living in Tukwila.