New plan targets Central District's 23rd Ave drug dealers

A new initiative to curb drug dealing along 23rd between Madison and Jackson is underway in the Central District:

The Seattle Team selected the 23rd Avenue Corridor, located in the city’s Central District, for the initiative’s pilot area because of residential and business communities  ongoing concerns and requests for action; supporting SPD data; both the Seattle Police’s East Precinct Commander and the City Attorney East Precinct Liaison believed the project fit with the communities desire to  try a new approach;  the area contains many active community members, business, and social services providers who could be partners in the effort; and the area had all the attributes needed to best replicate the successes in North Carolina.

The new approach? Prepare rock solid cases against suspected dealers and hit them with an ultimatum: Stop selling drugs or have the book thrown at you and, probably, go to jail.

Will it work? One of the dealers who participated in the community meeting element of the new program last Thursday night was busted the next day, neighbors say. That leaves at least 15 others who might make the choice to go straight.