A coalition of north Seattle businesses and residents has partnered with Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound and anti-trafficking organisation The More We Love to combat escalating gun violence along the Aurora Avenue corridor.
Property owners and maintenance workers report disturbances occurring five out of seven days near Aurora Avenue in North Seattle, both north and south of North 100th Avenue. Rudy Pantoja, who performs maintenance including graffiti removal on nearby properties, said security cameras regularly capture gunshots in the area, typically during overnight hours.
“I’m worried something more serious is going to happen, someone is going to get hurt, or worse,” Pantoja said, describing the area’s ongoing problems with prostitution, gun violence, and drug activity.
On Monday morning, Seattle police responded to a shooting near Aurora Avenue and North 125th Street, discovering shell casings and blood but no victim. Authorities suspect a 32-year-old man who later appeared at hospital with a gunshot wound is connected to the incident.
Community members gathered Friday near Aurora Avenue and North 100th Street to discuss safety concerns and commit to action. Representatives from Crime Stoppers and The More We Love offered support, emphasising the importance of reporting all disturbances to provide police with comprehensive data.
Crime Stoppers encourages residents to use their P3 Tips app for anonymous reporting, allowing users to submit tips, engage in two-way anonymous communication with investigators, and share photos or videos.
Some residents expressed frustration with Seattle Police Department response times, acknowledging staffing shortages but insisting 911 calls aren’t producing change. Pantoja said he’s following the police chief’s recent guidance to be proactive and report suspicious activity rather than waiting for tragedy.
Lacey Garneaus-Starns, who manages three buildings with 22 tenants, voiced the community’s growing concerns. “Everyone has a right to feel safe, and no one feels safe there,” she said. “The business owners, property owners, the residents, no one feels safe.”
Despite city ordinances targeting pimps and buyers, residents report frequent disturbances including gunfire and fights. Surveillance footage from August captured 15 incidents, averaging one every other day. “We make calls, they show up a day later to make a report,” Garneaus-Starns noted.
Tim Fuda of Crime Stoppers explained that police response is often delayed when there’s no immediate victim. “They will get to it and they find the evidence after, but if there’s no human victim, it drops the necessity at that point,” he said.
The community strategy involves reporting every incident whilst collaborating with outreach groups to assist human trafficking victims. “It’s going to take a community,” Garneaus-Starns emphasised.
The More We Love operates a 24-hour crisis centre focused on Aurora Avenue, working with police to provide safe exits and services for former sex workers. Garneaus-Starns expressed optimism about the partnership, calling it “the most hope I’ve had.”
Seattle Police Department officials have acknowledged community concerns and previously stated they are actively addressing the issues. The North Precinct has held public meetings to discuss resident concerns, though no updates were available during the Labour Day holiday.
