This story was originally published by KOMO News on Jan. 21, 2021.
By Suzanne Phan
Businesses said they are exhausted, they are fed up with the damage done. Others said they feel abandoned by the city and its leaders.
“In many ways, they feel abandoned,” said Jon Scholes, President and CEO of Downtown Seattle Association. “They need city leaders to speak out on their behalf and to condemn these actions.”
It’s a call to action and a call for Seattle city leaders to step up and help businesses – big and small – hit hard by vandals.
“It’s not clear what their message is,” said Gabby Cavalcanti of Bellevue. “You don’t know what to make of it.”
“They need to arrest these people,” said John Hummer in Seattle. “When they without any consequences, they’re going to keep doing it.”
Dorelea Gaffney owns the soap box in Pike Place Market.
She said she feels violated and defenseless because of the damage done to neighboring businesses by vandals.
“It’s not hurting anyone but us, small business owners,” Gaffney said.
“In Seattle, we need to end this uncivil war that has raged and allowed extremists to come in and destroy property, commit assaults, commit burglary, put other people’s lives at risk,” Scholes said.
Scholes went to on to say the property damage is taking a toll on businesses.
“This is expensive,” Scholes said. “It’s disruptive to their operation. It’s not helping them get back on their feet. We need our leaders speaking out today.”
The Downtown Seattle Association, Visit Seattle and Pike Place Market said enough is enough.
“We’re asking our elected officials from council to the mayor to city attorney,” Scholes said. “Each of them today should be speaking out on this, should be saying this has no place in Seattle.”
