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Friday, June 27, 2008

Neighbors Still Pissed About City’s Jail Plan

posted by on June 27 at 11:20 AM

Last night, neighbors in Seattle’s Highland Park neighborhood got together at the Machinist’s Union Lodge in South Park and got all riled up about the city’s potential plans to put a jail for misdemeanor offenders at one of two sites in West Seattle.

I wasn’t at the meeting, but the West Seattle Blog—which has been covering the hell out of this thing—was there and got some great videos of some very, very, angry neighbors.

The Highland Park Action Committee is also circulating an online petition, hoping to rally support against the West Seattle sites.

Again, it seems like there’s a pretty good argument against building a new jail in Seattle—or at least coming up with a regional solution—but we’ll see how much longer this drags out.

This city will hold three more meetings next month around the city to discuss the jail siting process.

Saturday, July 12, from 9 a.m. to noon, in the Wellness Center at North Seattle Community College, located at 9600 College Way N. – focus: Aurora site

Saturday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to noon, in the Brockey Conference Center at South Seattle Community College, located at 6000 16th Ave. S.W. – focus: West Marginal Way and Myers Way sites

Wednesday, July 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, located at 225 Mercer Street – focus: Interbay site.

There will be blood.

RSS icon Comments

1

They should put it in South Lake Union. Or Interbay.

Posted by yardsale | June 27, 2008 11:36 AM
2

The last thing these nice white neighborhoods need is a jail.

Better to, you know, have those criminals on their streets, earlier, instead.

Dear people: You are fucking stupid, please diaf.

Posted by K | June 27, 2008 11:39 AM
3

West Seattle itself is our best shot at a Escape from New York-style jail/island.

Posted by max solomon | June 27, 2008 11:48 AM
4

omg that woman is fucking sexy

Posted by craig | June 27, 2008 12:02 PM
5

@2 Clearly you don't know what the fuck you're talking about. These are some of the least "white" neighborhoods in the entire city. The only thing white about White Center is the the name. Highland Park actually HAS the diversity of races that lily white liberal Seattle seems to like to talk about, but the second a new jail or transfer station expansion is needed, that's where they are slated to go.

Posted by Westside forever | June 27, 2008 12:56 PM
6

@4: She's a MILF, no doubt about it.

Posted by Benjamin Braddock | June 27, 2008 1:36 PM
7

Well since this is basically my neighborhood as well, it can go in close to the psychiatric hospital that is located at the end of my block.

Add to that the transfer station in South Park, and it seems this area is the dumping ground for the "problem areas" the city has.

In reality I'm fine with a jail over here as long as the next wastewater treatment plant goes in at Laurelhurst, or a transfer station is stuck into Madison Park.

Posted by Dave Coffman | June 27, 2008 1:45 PM
8

I agree, Interbay is the best choice.

I predict that no matter where they choose someone will be upset.

Posted by Will in Seattle | June 27, 2008 2:59 PM
9

I live in Highland Park and attended the meeting with about 150 other fairly miffed folks. It would have helped if the elected officials who represent this group would have been there as well. Sharon Nelson and Dow Constantine were busy. Ms. Nelson WAS in West Seattle, she just had to go raise money from the RICH democrats to help re-elect her so she can do what? Attend meetings to boost morale of her VOTER BASE constituency perhaps? Oops. Do I sound bitter, slighted and forgotten?

Anyway, The Dow's Committee of the Whole is meeting Monday morning with the three other citys' jail groups within King County currently siting jails. Yes - three-count 'em-three misdemeanor facilities constructed at the same time. I think the term "economy of scale" is perhaps appropriate, in the sense that there ISN"T ANY. Oops. Do I sound irritated, aggravated and perplexed AGAIN?

Three jails to be build concurrently and then linked in operationally and administratively to the County court system.

I've lived here since birth. I am fifty and I am preparing to leave. Just in case. I cannot even believe HOW screwed up Seattle has become. This particular proposal will KILL these fragile neighborhoods for good, if a regional solution derails.

Oops. My anger turned into sadness.


Posted by miffed HighlandParker | June 28, 2008 1:25 AM

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