Chief O’Toole, center, is expected to address Sunday’s fair (Image: Seattle.gov)
Gay public safety community group Social Outreach Seattle is holding a first-time event this weekend to actively engage people from Capitol Hill and beyond in learning more about self defense and personal safety. The SOSea Summer Safety Fair is Sunday from 3 to 5 PM in Cal Anderson Park.
Organizers say instructors and representatives will be on hand to teach and provide information about classes and services related to safety and wellness. Public officials are also expected to attend including new Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole.
The fair comes following renewed awareness of hate crimes and violence against LGBTQ communities — especially as changes continue to reshape Capitol Hill’s culture, economy and the people who visit, work, play and live in the central city. Meanwhile attacks including the Neighbours New Year’s arson and the June double murder at 29th and King have boosted concerns as some in the community have taken to the streets on their own to provide protection.
The First Annual SOSea Summer Safety Fair
Sunday, July 20th at 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Cal Anderson Park
Join Social Outreach Seattle (SOSea), self-defense and personal safety experts, certified CPR instructors, yoga instructors, SPD and City Government officials at Cal Anderson Park’s Bobby Morris Playfield July 20, 3 – 5 p.m. to participate in The First Annual SOSea Summer Safety Fair!
“OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BELONGS TO US, NOT CRIME!”
__________________________
_____________________ SOSea SUMMER SAFETY FAIR Features:
— Group yoga/Tai Chi warmup at 3 p.m.
— Learn self-defense alongside your neighbors, coworkers and friends; Taught by martial arts gold medalist and self-defense specialist Mac. S. McGregor.
— Meet the community organizations that deal with substance abuse counseling, mental health, safety, social justice and more.
— Hear safety and information updates from SPD officials, elected officials and community leaders.
— Learn CPR and hear from a 9-1-1 call center operator about how to be a good witness and much more.“WE ARE ONE COMMUNITY, WORKING TOGETHER.”
One thing everyone can do now to protect themselves from street crime: get your nose out of your texting device and pay attention to what’s going on around you. Stumbling around Pike/Pine drunk at 1:30am is also something you can avoid, for safety’s sake.
Anyone who truly feels unsafe on Capitol Hill should love to Chicago. Really people let’s get some reality and truth here. Capitol Hill is one of the safest densely populated neighrboods in the country no matter what the fear-bating media would have you believe.
Because its is safer than cities like Chicago, does that mean we can’t work to make it even safer? Think about what you’re saying.
[…] lot of concerns have been expressed about the state of safety on the streets at night around Capitol Hill but Sunday afternoon in Cal Anderson Park, only a small crowd gathered for some martial arts […]