I had an interesting experience this morning in Belltown while dropping off some laundry. It helped me understand the frustration and anger of citizens who email or call my office and complain about open-air drug markets in their neighborhood.
It was shortly after 7 a.m. when I stopped at my laundry at 1st Avenue and Battery Street. I noticed a group of eight individuals standing at the corner, six men and two women. One man had a wad of cash in his right hand; he acted as though he was making change, waving the money around, and coaxing the others to engage. One of the women was arguing with the money man, saying "too much," and "more than last time." I went into the laundry and remarked to the desk clerk, "that's pretty brazen, isn't it?" She replied, "we see it all the time, this group is up from Pioneer Square."
After dropping off my laundry, I got on my scooter and watched as the group turned to walk westbound on Battery Street toward Western Avenue. One man handed the complaining woman a small plastic bag, kind of like a mini Zip-lock bag. The group moved about half-way down the block, still debating, completing transactions, passing money, arguing, and turned into an alley.
I called 911 and reported it all to the police. Another morning in a city that doesn't have the will to stop this type of street crime that is destroying our quality of life.