Hello NE Seattle,
Please see below the VRCC recap of the community meeting held on October 9th, 2024 in the theater in Magnuson Park.
A panel of city leaders presented and answered pre-screened questions from the community about the violence and 2 homicides that have occurred in and around Magnuson Park this Summer and Fall.
The VRCC was instrumental in making this meeting happen for our neighbors but the final planning and control of the actual meeting was handled by our district 4 Seattle councilmember, Maritza Rivera’s, office. And was moderated by the councilmember.
Thank you to all of the almost 300 neighbors that attended this important meeting to show our city leaders the importance of these terrible issues happening in our park. It made an impact on the panel that was there and they saw your intensity and concern for finding a solution to stopping the violence at Magnuson Park.
While the dangerous situation in and around the park is by no means solved, there is much more attention to these issues and the city presented multiple approaches to making the park safer for all to use and enjoy.
One safety update since this meeting, Seattle Parks & Recreation has installed ‘lock shrouds on both gates.’ To make it much more secure & more difficult to break into the park after hours. Thank you Carson Jones from SPR for his action on this issue.
This was one of the many action items mentioned at the Oct 9th meeting to address the loud music and partying happening after hours in the park.
Thank you,
Your View Ridge Community Council
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Recap – Community Meeting – Violence in Magnuson Park – October 9th, 2024
Challenges: Understaffed & Unable to Arrest
Seattle Police Department (SPD) North Precinct Captain Lori Aagard noted that the average total number of police on duty on a typical Saturday night in the North Precinct (which stretches from Ballard to Northgate to U District to Magnuson Park) is 15. Councilmember Maritza Rivera noted the City Council has passed 11 pieces of legislation this year that have helped support the recruitment and accelerate the hiring of Seattle Police Department officers.
This challenge has been magnified until recently by King County laws that prevented police from arresting “misdemeanor” crimes (like property destruction, disorderly conduct, drug use/possession, trespassing, shoplifting, speeding, etc.). These restrictions have been lifted thanks to efforts from the Seattle City Council. City Attorney Ann Davison and Deputy Mayor Tim Burgess agreed that this change sends a message that laws matter.
Excessive Noise/Partying in the Park.
Parks and Rec Deputy Superintendent and Chief of Staff Christopher Williams announced a plan for next summer modeled after the successful mitigation plan at Golden Gardens. That plan reduced crime and other issues through a mix of shortened hours, increased patrols by park rangers and additional police patrols.
Meanwhile, SPD is running weekend operations every Friday – Sunday, from 8pm – 4am. This effort is separate from patrol and there will be officers on overtime whose only responsibility is the park. Captain Aagard added that patrol officers will also patrol the park whenever they can, in between calls.
Crime in and Around the Park.
SPD deployed the Mobile Crime Unit as well as several patrol cars during the summer to break up and/or deter crime and illicit behavior. Next summer, expect more Park Rangers who can issue warnings, citations, trespass warnings and escalate situations to Police. Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is also placing large cement “ecology blocks” along Sand Point Way to prevent the permanent parking of campers and other vehicles.
Speeding/Drag racing on Sand Point Way.
Bill LaBorde, SDOT Council & Government Relations Manager noted the agency will begin several strategies to make it harder and “less fun” to speed along the stretch of Sand Point way from just North of Magnuson Park all the way to 125th street, including narrower streets, widened bus stop areas and other “traffic calming” approaches.
Drug Paraphernalia & Other Waste.
Lee Momon, of Seattle Public Utilities “Clean City” program, discussed how the group provides rapid response and removal services for needles and other hazardous waste. Residents can use the “Find it, Fix It” app to report issues, and needles will be removed within 24 hours while other waste is usually removed in less than 72 hours.
The message from all the panelists was clear:
We all can help. If you see something, say something. Call 911. The info you provide may be a small – but helpful – part of a larger issue. Let the 911 operators decide. In addition to 911, you can Text 274637 (crimes) or call SPD’s hotline 1-800-222-TIPS to report unusual, unsafe or criminal activity. There’s also an App for your phone called P3tips. To report hazardous garbage and needles, use the Find it Fix it app.
The only way elected officials and city/county departments can know what to work on and prioritize is through hearing from their constituents (us!).
If you were unable to make the meeting, you will be able to watch it on the Seattle Channel
https://www.seattlechannel.org/videos?videoid=x159911
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Please join your View Ridge Community Council in November for our Annual meeting, all neighbors welcome to get involved and make a difference in your community!
Please click the link to rsvp for this meeting –
https://viewridgesehttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/vrcc-annual-meeting-tickets-1061494381269attle.org
VRCC Annual Meeting – Thursday, November 14th, 2024 at 7pm in the Library of View Ridge Elementary – 7047 50th Ave NE.
