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Man stabbed in Cal Anderson Park — UPDATE: Suspect arrested

The Nagel Place scene from reader Mandy

The Nagle Place scene from reader Mandy

Police and medics responded to Cal Anderson Park Sunday night in an apparent stabbing near Nagle Place.

Seattle Fire responded to the basketball courts in the park for a report of a person stabbed in the abdomen just after 9:45 PM. Fire says it has transported a male in his 20s in serious condition to Harborview.

Police had at least one person in custody following the stabbing. Units have released containment around the park, according to SPD radio reports. UPDATE: Police have arrested a suspect in the incident which is believed to have stemmed from an altercation between the two men over the suspect’s dog. The full SPD report on the arrest is below.

The reported stabbing comes amid heightened concern about crime on Capitol Hill following a daylight knifepoint robbery last week. Spring has also brought what has become an annual jump in assaults and incidents around the busy park.

Man Stabbed in Cal Anderson Park, Suspect in Custody

Written by  on 

Officers apprehended a male suspect responsible for stabbing another man during an altercation in Cal Anderson Park this evening.

At approximately 9:50 p.m. officers responded to 911 calls of a stabbing in Cal Anderson Park located in the 1600 block of 11th Avenue.  Upon arrival officers located the victim, a male in his 20′s, who had been stabbed and slashed in the stomach area.  Fire department medics were called to the scene and transported the victim to Harborview Medical Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the altercation started over the suspect’s unleashed dog that was acting aggressively toward the victim.  The dog charged at the victim at least twice.  The victim defended himself against the second charge by striking the dog with his foot.  A physical altercation then ensued between the suspect and victim.  At some point in the altercation the suspect produced a knife and stabbed and slashed the victim on the front of his torso.  The suspect then fled the scene on foot.

The victim and witnesses provided officers with a suspect description.  Officers searched the park on foot and located the suspect, a male in his 20′s, walking northbound through the park.  Officers took the suspect into custody without further incident.

Officers recovered two knives, one of which they believe the suspect used in the stabbing.  It is unknown if the suspect and victim knew each other.

The suspect was transported to the East Precinct where he was interviewed and processed.  He will be booked into the King County Jail for Felony Assault.

 

UPDATE: The suspect plead guilty to transporting heroin in Redmond in 2012 and was sentenced to nine months in detention — the last months of which he served in King County Jail after violating a release by consuming alcohol, according to court documents. The 38-year-old has a criminal recorded dotted with minor drug and assault arrests. He is currently held in jail for investigation of assault.

There are no updates on the victim’s condition.

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Janet
Janet
10 years ago

I live off E Denny Way at CAP and it is different this year, as in a lot less predictable and oftentimes not a place I want to walk after dark. At least there’s a lot of foot traffic in the area so things like this get reported quickly. but…ugh. Here’s hoping the man recovers. SPD was impressive. They came swooping into the park and set up a perimeter so fast! Thanx SPD.

Jet City Jim
Jet City Jim
10 years ago
Reply to  Janet

Where are the Neighborhood Watch Associations on Capital Hill? This is a time of night I wouldn’t think twice about walking through Cal Anderson (unlike 4am).

AR
AR
10 years ago

ANOTHER attack at Cal Anderson? This is just scary to me living right there.

Paul on Bellevue
Paul on Bellevue
10 years ago

So basically if me or any of my Hill neighbors are walking through the park and some street kid’s dog attacks us(sounds like that’s what happened) and we fend it off, we risk being stabbed. That’s nice to know. I hope the victim makes a full recovery.

lifeguard
10 years ago

It has been my experince this is true everywere in America — if you kick someone’s dog, you will enrage the dog’s owner.

This incident does not indicate there is more or less Public danger in Cal Anderson. About 85% of the people I see in this town have a folding knife clipped into the edge of their jean’s pocket.

Paul on Bellevue
Paul on Bellevue
10 years ago
Reply to  lifeguard

Lifeguard:

I love dogs but reserve the right to defend myself if some street punk’s pit is running at me. I shouldn’t have to worry about getting stabbed by the lowlife owner in the process. Please don’t tell me you’re blaming the victim here.

Pod
Pod
10 years ago

I don’t think he’s victim blaming, just merely stating a likelihood.

Paul on Bellevue
Paul on Bellevue
10 years ago
Reply to  Pod

Could be. He was very defensive of the anarchists who trashed our ‘hood back on the 1st, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he is defending the homeless kids with dogs who infest Cal Anderson, and blaming anybody who might dare defend themselves against them. It would be consistent.

lifeguard
10 years ago

I was just pointing out the context of the attack. It wasn’t:

a roberry

a drug deal

a hate crime

So why let it increase one’s fear of the park? (unless you have a phobia of dogs!)

AR
AR
10 years ago
Reply to  lifeguard

Well, the dog was going after someone so that person has a right to defend themselves. Believe me, I would kick my dog if he attacked someone. But if you have your dog on a leash that probably won’t happen. People need to be responsible for their dogs.

Also a person got stabbed, so that’s assult with a deadly weapon. Doesn’t matter if it was a hate crime or drug deal. That’s scary and makes me afraid.

AR
AR
10 years ago
Reply to  lifeguard

If you can’t control your dog, it should not be off leash. This is an increasing problem around Cap Hill when it is sunny. I had to get in between my dogs and someone elses dogs the other day when he bum rushed them. I don’t want to kick any dog, but I will to keep a fight from happening.

S
S
10 years ago
Reply to  AR

Actually, your dog shouldn’t be off-leash unless you’re in a designated off-leash area. I’ve been aggressively charged by dogs before, dogs that their owners swear are well-behaved and wouldn’t hurt a fly. Yeah, right up until they attack someone. Keep your dogs leashed.

Tonya on the Hill
Tonya on the Hill
10 years ago
Reply to  AR

On just the dog part of this, I agree. Please keep the dogs leashed as the parks dept. asks us to.

calhoun
10 years ago
Reply to  lifeguard

@ lifeguard: I really hate it when people grossly exaggerate to try and make a point. 85% of people carry a knife?….way off….maybe 10% at most.

Seattlexb
Seattlexb
10 years ago

As someone who lives about 100 feet from where this happened, and heard it, it sounded like any other fight that happens a few times a week by the basketball courts. Dog snarling, people yelling, someone yelling about calling the cops. Unfortunately disturbances like that don’t even get your attention anymore when they’re so common. I don’t know if more patrols would even help.

This morning there was someone screaming at the top of their lungs at 6am, which is an hour or two later *than normal*…

BB
BB
10 years ago

This park should be closed after dark. Vagrants shouldn’t be permitted to ruin this park for the decent folks who live in this neighborhood.

Tom
Tom
10 years ago
Reply to  BB

BB, the park is supposed to be closed at night. If you close it when it’s dark, you have varying closure times, as early as 4:30-5:00 pm during winter months. that’s just not reasonable for a park in a densely populated area. If you want reasonable, keep the dog on a leash where it belongs.

calhoun
10 years ago
Reply to  BB

The park closure times need to be enforced by the SPD, by at least several foot patrols during the night. At present, they seem to be ignoring a clear public danger spot. Whatever happened to proactive policing? And don’t tell me they don’t have the staff to do this!…if they cared about the problems as Cal Anderson Park, they could find the staff.

fleetingimprov
10 years ago
Reply to  calhoun

I think the foot traffic through the park after 11 p.m. makes the park safer. I *feel* safer walking home at 2 with others walking home/lying drunk on the ballfield/wading in the fountain. It beats having a cop drive by every now and then to scan with a spotlight.

Closing the park at 11 p.m. is too early, but closing it even at 2 a.m. would create a big dark empty lot that makes even the periphery dangerous.

Tonya on the Hill
Tonya on the Hill
10 years ago

Brainstorming because this must change.

Could the businesses in the area begin to pitch in ($) for security? I’m sure their leases are incredibly expensive, but will they lose out if people do not feel safe enough to buy an ice cream and eat it in the park? Or walk home after Happy Hour?

Even though a guard can’t be the police or act as police, at least they would make it their priority to come to the aid of a person yelling for help. This is in response to what happen to Robbie as well.

Also, I fear that the small mobile phone and people talking or arguing with a person on the mobile, has made me pay less attention to people on the street. I am over 40 so it took sometime before I stopped asking an angry person (yelling out-loud with a wire and mic sticking out of their ear) if they were okay. In fact, I don’t look so I am no longer intruding on their crisis. Maybe I need to pay attention again—it may be worth a dirty look or two to help someone truly in need.

Hopefully the new/renewed Cap Hill watch will help send the signal that we’re going to fight back. Maybe the businesses can contribute to host defense classes for those willing to stick their necks out for others.

lifeguard
10 years ago

Bring back peace & safety or queer patrol or whatere you wonderful peole used to have on the Hill! (my pal Ken told me about it)

Erica G
10 years ago

I walked by that group about 10 minutes before this happened with my dog. I’ve only lived on this block since November and am new to Seattle, but there is something amiss with this part of town. I am not afraid of homeless people in general, and I feel for those people whom society has let down. But so many of the trouble-makers around Cal-Anderson, homeless or not, exhibit aggressive behavior that really frightens me. As a previous poster mentioned, there are people yelling early in the morning, like this morning, at no one in particular. As a single, 5’2″ woman I would not have moved here had I witnessed this prior to moving in. How do we get the trouble-makers out, and get help for those who are roaming around mentally disturbed (or impaired)? I don’t know what the solution is, but I’ve lived in West Philadelphia and Harlem (NYC) and felt safer in both of those places.

ERF
ERF
10 years ago
Reply to  Erica G

This is progressive Seattle. The people you are talking about are encouraged to come here and stay.

AR
AR
10 years ago

Can I just also call out that this is the third attack at Cal Anderson in a week.

M.C.Barrett
M.C.Barrett
10 years ago

I’m not an opponent of marijuana decriminalization, but I do wonder if it isn’t somehow related to the recent increase in aggressive encounters. I’ve been a frequent visitor to the hill for years, and have lived here for over a year now. In this time I’ve seen more of the vagrant or otherwise marginal young people clustered in more public spaces than a year ago. Supposing drug use is high among this group, they might have switched from more secretive locations to more public areas to camp out and smoke with their power-dogs. The marginal lifestyle is inherently more exposed to violence and aggression, and so they are brought along to those public places. They don’t have to hide under the Pine-I5 overpass anymore.

CapHillRes
CapHillRes
10 years ago

Several problems here:

1.) Anyone who allows their dog off-leash in a park such as Cal Anderson is simply looking for trouble because any size dog loves to run and play and often will become aggressive when allowed to run free. If it is not a designated off-leash area then take the dogs away from their owners if this sort of conduct continues because dog bites are no fun.

2.) This park is ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE EAST PRECINCT. Yeah, good job in showing up promptly, SPD. Did you actually walk across the street or did you drive your patrol cars? Why should the businesses or the residents or anybody else be responsible for clearing out the bad news people from this park when it is a public property that ought to be patrolled and cared for by the State Rangers (I have seen Park Rangers driving around there in their marked truck) and the SPD.

Cal Anderson Park is an area that is SUPPOSED to be safe for parents with their children and people who want to play on the courts and fields. Instead, there are low-lifes drinking out of brown paper bags any time of the day whenever I walk by there. If that place can’t be properly supervised during daylight hours (forget night time) when it legitimately is not that large compared to Volunteer Park, for instance, it ought to be sold to developers like the rest of the Hill.

Jomama
Jomama
10 years ago
Reply to  CapHillRes

A few things here:

” Anyone who allows their dog off-leash in a park such as Cal Anderson is simply looking for trouble because any size dog loves to run and play and often will become aggressive when allowed to run free.” – so let me get this straight: dogs that run off-leash all want to maim and kill people? That’s news to me as I’ve owned many dogs and not a single one when running off-leash is aggressive in the least. I can say this for the dozens of friends I have with dogs as well (some of them historically “aggressive” breeds). Point here is it’s the owners and NOT the breed or dog when it comes to aggression. To lump all dogs into this “off leash = aggressive” is absurd and frankly, insulting.

Second – as a NY’er who grew up in the city throughout the 80’s and 90’s, if Times Square/42nd St can do a complete 180, Seattle can too. As much as I love the progressive air and respect the notion of taking care of the handicapped, areas like Cal Anderson, Pioneer Square and, closer to my hood – the CD – need some change. I am all for a more strong armed approach to thugs and idiots strolling around the park after 10PM.

Jim
Jim
10 years ago

Put cameras back in the park

Janet
Janet
10 years ago

Well, dang it. I wish I hadn’t commented the way I did. I’ve lived in my building since 1989 and have seen the neighborhood go through a lot of changes, but the last thing I want to do is promote fear and/or stoke anyones paranoia. My feeling is there’s more tension running below the surface these days than several years back, but the population has increased significantly too, so I dunno. I love Capitol Hill, I have some of the best neighbors in the world, and most of the time I feel safe. Random stuff can happen anywhere and this neighborhood is no exception.

But…yeah, Cal Anderson Park. Before the reservoir project started (before the area became Cal Anderson Park) SPD enforced the park hours. I’m not sure they have the resources to do that now but it was definitely a safer and less-stressful environment when the park was closed at night.

pinbalwyz
10 years ago
Reply to  Janet

What a shame that the violent street thugs can destroy the utility of a public park for the entire neighborhood. Take pictures at every opportunity of these miscreants and publish them online. Learn their name and where the live. Don’t make that a secret either. Force them to be accountable for their public behavior. If they know everyone in the neighborhood knows who they are, that they cannot hide behind anonymity, they’ll tend to be more responsible. See a dog off leash? Take a picture of it and its owner, forward it to the SPD and the City’s parks department. Publish it. Only concerned citizens can take back the streets and public venues.

Pokey
Pokey
10 years ago
Reply to  pinbalwyz

Only concerned citizens randomly photographing and stalking anyone who you think looks at your wrong get stabbed in parks.

Why don’t you go back to trolling @news.

pinbalwyz
10 years ago
Reply to  Pokey

Removing the anonymity of violent street thugs doesn’t simply apply to parks, but the internet. WHO is Pokey? Sounds like someone who thinks stabbings are just a legitimate part of the park ambiance. His/her response is, however, an indication of how powerful 1st Amendment guarantees (press) can be in curbing street violence. Violent (A)narchists fear having their anonymity stripped, either on the streets or online. So that’s the most obvious place to start. Don’t give them a place to hide. Take their picture at every opportunity. If you’ve got a CWL, bring it! If one of the violent thugs attempts to stab/hurt you, USE IT! Bring a witness. Record the audio at all times when you’re in the vicinity. If there’s an altercation, turn it over to the police along with making a citizen’s complaint. It’s up to the citizens in the neighborhood to take back their streets. Don’t allow violent street elements to bully and intimidate you into abandoning public spaces and venues.

Pokey
Pokey
10 years ago
Reply to  pinbalwyz

So you are going to do this by bullying and intimidating those your deluded mind perceives as “a violent street element”.

1) you are not a journalist, you are a stalker.
2) you are suggesting combating “violent street elements “by “becoming a violent street element”

Good job at looking like a complete wingnut. Why don’t you make a blog post about it now.

Also, how are you going to take pictures since your camera got launched off a balcony? Surely, you don’t have the cash lying around to purchase another “10,000 dollar camera”.

You are the most pathetic kind of perverted stalker.

pinbalwyz
10 years ago
Reply to  pinbalwyz

The fact remains, you have NO expectation of privacy in public venues. Those who violate public laws like letting their dog run off leash, threatening other on public streets, getting snockered in public, dealing drugs in public, vandalizing property in public, assaulting others in public can and should expect to have their pictures taken, their anonymity compromised, their voiced recorded, and their malfeasance documented as well as referred to the police. You (Pokey) wouldn’t be nearly so bold if you weren’t hiding behind anonymity.

As to who is/isn’t a journalist, the press (courts have consistently ruled) have no more rights under the law than any other member of the public. They also have no less! Thus, every citizen has the right/opportunity to act in the same capacity as any journalist, including those working for corporate news gathering services. Actually, I *am* an investigatory photojournalist. I have a company licensed to do business as an investigatory news gathering service. It sounds like you may be familiar with its publication. (amicuscuria.com/wordpress) Fortunately, the drafters of the U.S. Constitution made certain my activities as a journalist don’t depend on your approval. Deal with it! If I learn more about precisely who you are, I will do what I can to strip away the anonymity you and your ilk hide behind.

pinbalwyz
10 years ago
Reply to  pinbalwyz

BTW, when it comes to ‘stalking’, that’s like the pot calling the kettle black…as in black bloc. Several years ago when Olympian photojournalist Tony Overman photographed black bloc @narchist elements vandalizing a local bank branch and smashing its windows, they harassed, assaulted, stalked, and bullied him over the course of months, calling him a ‘snitch’, spray painting him and his camera (the perp was caught and convicted), even cornering him one evening on the 4th Ave bridge in Olympia, then threatening to throw him off it. They stalk this reporter all the way to his home one night, and while he slept, vandalized his home and vehicle parked in his driveway. Tony admits he stayed up that night with a loaded shotgun in his lap. Keep it up, hotshots, you play Russian roulette long enough, your number is going to come up, unless you’re lucky enough for the police to catch you first.

If the state doesn’t clean up the problem, inevitably citizens will ultimately take the matter into their own hands. The kindest form of self help will be photographing the miscreants so police can take them into custody before an enraged mob does…violent black bloc (A)narchists are, after all, proponents of mob violence, no?

Cody
Cody
10 years ago

It floors me that city cares so much for these homeless street kids, that we seem to foget about the population that contributes to society in a positive way. They should be removed from the park and their dogs should be taken away. it should be against the law to panhandle and beg for money.This town is fulll of places that can and will help the homeless, and besides mental issuses some of the people do not want help. Time to quit feeling sorry for the “thugs” that are moving into our neighborhood, and it’s time to push back.

Wang
Wang
10 years ago
Reply to  Cody

Time for you to move to Bellevue.

Paul on Bellevue
Paul on Bellevue
10 years ago
Reply to  Wang

It’s pretty weak to suggest that somebody “move to Bellevue” when they have a legitimate complaint about an issue that lowers the quality of life on the Hill for the majority of the people living here. Obviously enough feel that the atmosphere at the park is sketchy at times, and it’s at least partly because of the crowds of kids who hang out there with their dogs and hassle people for money.
I don’t go so far as to say “outlaw panhandling”, but these kids are a huge nuisance. Why should law-abiding Hill residents feel like we can’t walk through there without being harassed?

Gracie
10 years ago
Reply to  Wang

Wang, I agree with Cody and consider your response childish, at best.

I’m weary of the street kids and really feel sorry for all of the poor animals that they have in their possession. I’ve even noticed some with cats! I figure if you can’t take care of yourself and want to live on the streets doing drugs, fine, but leave the animals to others who can provide them with homes and leave the passersby alone rather than attempting to utilize those animals as ploys for sympathy and “donations.”

Paul on Bellevue
Paul on Bellevue
10 years ago
Reply to  Gracie

Agree about the cats. I love cats (have two of them), and it makes me angry to see them used as props for getting free stuff. It’s unfair to the animals, who obviously don’t have a choice in the matter.

Janet
Janet
10 years ago
Reply to  Cody

@ Cody ~ “these homeless street kids” ? The attacker was reported to be 38YO. “their dogs should be taken away” . No doubt the dog was taken away all right, and that’s probably not going to end well for the unfortunate animal. Re; “this town is full of places that can and will help the homeless” . Ummm…no, it’s not, but there are some dedicated people and organizations that do their best in spite of all the obstacles. Also; you suggest that the city cares so much for these “homeless street kids” (even though the one in question is 38YO) and that this causes society to forget about the people who contribute to society in a positive way. I couldn’t unravel that one if I tried, but I do know people that contribute to society in very meaningful and positive ways simply by treating others with dignity and respect no matter what their station in life.

calhoun
10 years ago
Reply to  Cody

I agree with Cody too, and hope he doesn’t “move to Bellevue” (a very tired cliché, by the way) as he obviously cares about the serious problems in our neighborhood. I would like to see panhandling banned as well, but realistically that is not going to happen.

However, it is already against the law to sit on the sidewalk and panhandle, but this infraction is routinely ignored by the SPD…they need to re-start some foot patrols, at least along Broadway. Number one example are the very-lowlifes who hang out/camp all day outside the Broadway Market QFC….I’m sick of them, their dogs, and their litter. Why doesn’t QFC management do something about this?

pinbalwyz
10 years ago
Reply to  Cody

Panhandling/begging has been ruled a free speech right under the 1st Amendment by no less than the U.S. Supreme Court. Assault has not.

Janet
Janet
10 years ago
AR
AR
10 years ago

I remember the Q Patrol….they should come back!

Former Q Patroller
Former Q Patroller
10 years ago
Reply to  AR

sigh, people say this every time there is a notable crime (although usually it’s when there’s a gay bashing.

Q Patrol was started by individuals who wanted to mobilize and do something about a specific problem. They got real training on self defense, how to work with the cops, how to diffuse situations to keep them from escalating into violence, and how to behave if a conflict did get to that point.

It took a LOT of work, dedication and discipline. And anyone who has that kind of energy and motivation is encouraged to start their own group of this sort.

lifeguard
10 years ago

I note the agenda has scheduled 30 mintues to talk to a DA SPD is bringing. Doesn’t seem like alot of time.

Across the street?
Across the street?
10 years ago

Where do you live? This park is ACROSS THE STREET from Rancho Bravo and Molly Moons, SPD is a block or more away. Drama and CAPITAL LETTERS only point out exaggeration there. Even though it’s ACROSS THE STREET are the expected to have all eyes on this park at all times? What about other areas of crime?

Gracie
10 years ago

So, Andrew Taylor, presupposing we show up to “chat” with the SPD reps tonight, are they going to explain to us why Volunteer Park seems to be comparatively free of crime while Cal Anderson is rife with it? Do you think the neighborhoods in which both of these parks are situated, one being the former Millionaires Row and Federal Avenue plus the Asian Art Mu$eum crowd while the other is more commercial and mid-income condo-oriented, might have anything to do with it? I’m not asking to be nasty. I’m asking because I have no desire to waste any more of my time being placated. I simply know enough now to stay as far away from Cal Anderson Park as is possible, day or night and to realize that money talks.

lifeguard
10 years ago
Reply to  Gracie

Don’t worry, as the gentrification of cap hill continues Cal Anderson will radicly change. It will take around 5 years, but this will be a very different neighborhood by then I suspect. I hope I am wrong.

Tcb
Tcb
10 years ago
Reply to  Gracie

Gracie,

There are many reason why Cal Anderson has more problems than Volunteer Park that have nothing to do with what you suggested. If you can’t figure it out then attending that meeting won’t be a waste of time for you.

Janet
Janet
10 years ago

@ Andrew.F.Taylor ~ Thanx for the info. Wish I could make it to the meeting tonight but hopefully those in attendence can fill me in later.

@ Gracie ~ The two parks are in very different neighborhoods. I think the proximity of CAP to so many nightlife spots has more to do with it than anything. The numbers of people passing through CAP to get from A to B is huge, especially on the weekends.

Gracie
10 years ago
Reply to  Janet

All the more reason to patrol Cal Anderson Park at least as often (if not more so) as or than Volunteer Park.

Tammy Jo
10 years ago

Assuming we are all urban Seattle folks here… we have lived here for decades & have seen that when we have a consistent and verbally engaged police presence in the neighborhood, the most dangerous folks do not want to stick around. Officer Casey who we had on foot patrol for years or Officer Benny at Garfield “get it”.

What has taken hold in the park over the past few weeks are a handful of nihilistic homeless people and a couple of drug dealers trying to cut out some turf for weekend traffic. They are truly trying to intimidate a few thousand folks – kids, partiers, old folks cutting thru, homeless people and polo/hoopsters… who just want to enjoy the park.

By asking the police to increase FOOT PATROLS thru the park (with an emphasis on community models), people with warrants & open drug deals WILL decrease. Seen it happen at least 5 times in the past years when we stand up and ask for help.

Can’t stop all conflict or the occasional drunken mishap, but CLEARLY some bad folks are feeling a little too comfy in the park. Pretty simple if you ask me.

Gracie
10 years ago
Reply to  Tammy Jo

Agreed. Yay! Count one with common sense.

Cody
Cody
10 years ago

Wang,

I live in Capitol Hill and I love living here. I take pride in the variety of people and places, and the fact all of these are within walking distance. Moving to bellevue is not an option for me, and a weak response from you. My goal is to make the neighborhood I live in a better place, and not moan and groan about from behing a computer. I plan on being at the rally/meetup to brainstorm on how residents can help.

Tammy Jo
10 years ago

and…. a great chance for folks in the neighborhood to see the SPD off their bikes and out of their cars…. and engaged with the larger population of 98102 when there is no “protest emergency”.

WIN-WIN.

Nicholas
Nicholas
10 years ago

I am the victim that got stabbed and attacked by 2 guys and a dog. This was the second time this jerks dog attacked my dog while NOT on a leash. Might I mention it was an intact male pit bull. Thank you for the prayers. The knife blade broke 2 of my rib bones, and sliced part of my liver. I’m in a lot of pain but recovering at harbor view.

Gracie
10 years ago
Reply to  Nicholas

I wish you the best for a quick recovery.

Gracie
10 years ago
Reply to  Gracie

Ack! My post was in response to one that I saw from “Nicholas” who claimed he was the victim and now recovering in Harborview. What happened to his post? Well, I do wish the victim of this attack the best, anyway.

Janet
Janet
10 years ago
Reply to  jseattle

@ Nick ~ Again, so sorry this happened to you and feel better soon. Also very sorry to hear about your missing guitar and phone, but maybe someone’s holding those until they can be returned to you? At least that’s what I’m hoping is going on with the missing stuff, and stranger things have happened. Very happy to hear your dog Jimmy is OK and I hope you’re reunited soon. Get better, and when you’re mended please come back to Cal Anderson Park ~ Janet

Janet
Janet
10 years ago
Reply to  jseattle

Heh…I’m tired tonight. I wanted to thank jseattle again for handling this story so professionally, but then I just went blathering off in another direction. Anyway, get well, Nicholas, and thanx again to jseattle

Nicholas
Nicholas
10 years ago
Reply to  Gracie

Not sure why u wouldn’t believe me, but I am the victim. I’ll offer my two cents when I feel better, or explain the story from my perspective to whoever wants to know. . But yes this park is more dangerous than it should be. And I thank the SPD for their fast response. I have been going to cal Anderson park almost every day that it’s been sunny, and I agree it’s far to dangerous for a beautiful Capitol hill park. Something needs to be done, but I do NOT agree with the guy commenting to put up cameras. Let’s try to avoid privacy invasion as much as possible.

pinbalwyz
10 years ago
Reply to  Nicholas

There is NO EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY (legally) IN A PUBLIC VENUE–PERIOD! While surveillance raises the specter of 1984 and a police state, public assaults/stabbings are the surest road to that end. If you don’t want the state mounting cameras on poles, then start taking photos of suspicious characters yourself. Only a concerned citizenry can take back the streets and public venues from these violent street thugs. Photograph, name, and locate them. Publish the information online. They are emboldened by their anonymity. Remove it. Expose them.

pinbalwyz
10 years ago
Reply to  Nicholas

NIcholas, et ux, what is the same of the assailant? Where does he live? Does anyone have a photo of him? How about a booking photo? This kind of information should be posted online like a community bulletin board as a public safety measure.

areyouurbanexperienced
areyouurbanexperienced
10 years ago

The problems with the aggressive homeless, the mentally ill, etc. aren’t just because of “progressive Seattle”. Seattle, its city council, its charities have chosen to concentrate human services in this area. Look at a map of the homeless shelters, methedone clinics, runaway teen shelters, etc. in the Pike/Pine area, and you will be surprised by their number. Or not. I think this was due to ‘path of least resistance’ – when Pike/Pine was ‘auto row’, there were few condo owners and rent-paying residents to mount a protest when these services began to concentrate here. Meanwhile, property owners, in other parts of CH, being less transient and better organized, said “not in my backyard’. As more condo owners and invested apartment dwellers move in, things will change. Cal Anderson will change yet again when the light rail station goes live.
I love CH, but I no longer take my family to Cal Anderson Park. I have seen too much bad stuff. While I make a point to not raise my kids in a cozy bubble, I cannot relax in a park where my spider senses are always tingling.

MamaB
MamaB
10 years ago

My husband and I started living on Capitol Hill 6 years ago and had a child in that time. After spending countless hours at Cal Andersen over the years, I can safely say that I have noticed a definite change. There have been so many times that I just wanted to relax and play with my child on the playground, but the amount of transients and street kids with packs of dogs has progressively gotten out of control… and I rarely see police enforcing anything. For example: playing “tag” one day with my son, he ran around a tree only to encounter a man with his pants down and a syringe in his thigh. Then, when my son was 2, we were verbally assaulted in broad daylight by a group of drunk (and most likely drugged-out) individuals by the bathrooms yelling that they would “kill me and my f*cking kid.” I was terrified. My young son should never have to hear something like that at his age. That was a huge turning point for me and my husband. We moved off the Hill 3 months ago. Reading articles like this makes me extremely happy with our decision. Ugh.

pinbalwyz
10 years ago
Reply to  MamaB

Mama, I’m sorry to hear you were bullied off Capitol Hill by a bunch of drunken drugged-out thugs. Those who choose to stay should surreptitiously audio record and video tape such assaults, call 911 and turn them over to the cops after pointing out the malefactors. Only concerned citizens can take back the streets and public venues from these miscreants.

Foyle
Foyle
10 years ago

I’ve lived and owned a business on The Hill for about 20 years. Crime here used to go in cycles. It’s generally been very safe for the density and diversity of a city this size. We’ve always had a large homeless population on the hill and rarely have they been a problem. The problem has become the criminals who use the homeless population as camouflage.

So, yes, in the last five years street crime has steadily gotten worse and more brazen. And the nexus of this spike in crime is Cal Anderson Park and Pike/Pine. Thursday through Saturday nights routinely see the area transform into a vulgar cesspool of drunks and criminals. And it’s been pretty much ignored by the powers that be and our local cultural gatekeepers (The Stranger, for instance) because they have a monied interest in seeing certain business thrive (bars) and increasing development. Nobody wants to talk about crime.

This year we note thefts, fights, drug deals, and public intoxication now on a daily basis around our business and throughout pike/pine. The area in the park around the basketball courts in particular has become the home base for a variety of violent hoodlums that intimidate, harass, and assault passersby regularly.

The irony is the proximity of the the 12th avenue Precinct has been little to no deterrent. In fact it’s rare I see a police officer actually out of a cruiser and out and about on The Hill at all. If I didn’t know better I would think the neighborhood is being deliberately “de-policed” in payment for the neighborhoods participation in the police review boards, etc.

pinbalwyz
10 years ago
Reply to  Foyle

I totally agree with the violent criminal element using the homeless and political pretexts (@narchists) as camouflage. Root them out by removing their anonymity. Take photos/video of them at every opportunity. Surreptitiously record verbal encounters. When one (or more) threatens, intimidates, bullies, call 911 immediately and turn over the photos/video/audio to them. Publish the images of these miscreants online along with their true names, address/location, and other relevant particulars. Only concerned citizens can take back the streets/public venues from these violent thugs.

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[…] man arrested following Sunday night’s stabbing in Cal Anderson has been charged in the crime. 38-year-old Jeremy Nelson faces one count of second degree assault […]