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News & ArtsFriday, March 6, 2009
Crime / Drugs Seattle Police Blame University District Crime Wave on Pot
Posted by Jonah Spangenthal-Lee on Fri, Mar 6, 2009 at 5:09 PM
The Seattle Police Department seems to think it has figured out the root cause of all of the recent violence in the University District: pot.
Yes, pot.
Really.
At two different community meetings this week, SPD’s North Precinct Captain Michael Washburn strongly implied that the cause of the recent rash of robberies and assaults in the U district—which led to an increased police presence in the neighborhood—was the result of a large pot-dealing operation.
On Wednesday night, Washburn told a crowd of about 30 at a meeting of the North Precinct Advisory Council that officers had arrested 13 people for pot, including “seven high level dealers.” He added that “it was our theory a lot of [the violence in the University District] was driven by the drug trade. In case you think [marijuana] is a victimless crime, I beg to differ.”
I know, right?
Obviously, I’m skeptical—Washburn didn’t elaborate on how pot is connected with the robberies—but the next night at a meeting in Lake City, Washburn again brought up the recent UW busts, stating that “if you think [selling pot] is not a violent crime, look at all the robberies in the University District,” which drew jeers from several people in the crowd.
It seems crazy that SPD would be putting so much effort into busting pot dealers—unless, of course, they really are connected to the U-district violence, which remains to be seen—but according to SPD spokeswoman Renee Witt, police are stepping up drug enforcement because of "complaints from the community" about meth and heroin dealing. Witt says SPD's Major Crimes Task Force is now conducting ongoing drug operations in the University District. "Typically, if narcotics are being sold on the street, you can probably expect some violence," Witt says.
I'll have more information on SPD's new war on pot soon.
2
Remember in Nice Dreams when Sgt. Stedanko (Stacy Keach) smoked so much pot he turned into a lizard? I wonder if that would happen to Washburn? Too bad its just a movie...
3
Translation: We want to continue the Drug War even though you voted for us to stop wasting your tax dollars on it.
Why? Because we don't want to do hard work like find out who's stealing local bikes and cars.
That might require us to do detective work ...
Why? Because we don't want to do hard work like find out who's stealing local bikes and cars.
That might require us to do detective work ...
4
There is some violence amongst pot growers and dealers (but I doubt very much at all). It's pretty fucking clear why - because it's ILLEGAL. If they banned microwave ovens, there would be violence related to the illegal microwave trade.
Oh, and being assigned to the "major crimes task force" doesn't sound like pot is the "lowest law enforcement priority.". Jail these crooked cops for breaking an actual law and actually causing harm to people.
Oh, and being assigned to the "major crimes task force" doesn't sound like pot is the "lowest law enforcement priority.". Jail these crooked cops for breaking an actual law and actually causing harm to people.
5
ayup.
they have no courts and no police to protect their pot property or their cash so they have to use violence, duh.
Ask us. Come check out Juarez, gringos. It's pretty violent. Because thankfully you all keep it illegal!
Tax free profits, woo hoo!
they have no courts and no police to protect their pot property or their cash so they have to use violence, duh.
Ask us. Come check out Juarez, gringos. It's pretty violent. Because thankfully you all keep it illegal!
Tax free profits, woo hoo!
6
Dope will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no dope.
It's the RECESSION, stupid!
It's the RECESSION, stupid!
9
#5 is right. There actually is violence associate with growing operations, but not because pot has some inherent quality associated with it, it's because it's illegal.
There's actually been a sad shift in northern CA growing culture (from what I'm told), where old time growers and mom (type) operations are being run out by cartels from Mexico (or those associate with gangs). Even growers in Humbolt, whose police department is famous for turning a blind eye, is having to confront this issue.
Ugh, just fucking legalize it. There's no reason smoking weed should be associated with violent crime.
There's actually been a sad shift in northern CA growing culture (from what I'm told), where old time growers and mom (type) operations are being run out by cartels from Mexico (or those associate with gangs). Even growers in Humbolt, whose police department is famous for turning a blind eye, is having to confront this issue.
Ugh, just fucking legalize it. There's no reason smoking weed should be associated with violent crime.
10
you spend enough time on the ave, and you start to hate the dealers too. its not because youre dealing pot, or buying pot, or listening to sublime while staring at a blacklight poster (or whatever potheads do). its the fact that you are standing around clogging a busy street, where independent businesses are trying to keep their heads above water.
who wants to give money to businesses in a neighborhood where you have a 100% chance of having some ugly chola bitch with a bad weave offer you "bud"? this isnt paranoia from a suburban mom, this is true fact from someone who knows her shit.
the block of the ave between 45th and 47th has seen an insane amount of violence in the last year (ive witnessed a curbstomping and several all-out brawls in the last two months alone). which is funny because, if you are some poor sucker who doesnt have a reliable dealer, where you do go to buy weed? the same block. its a business that creates a violent culture.
so no, i dont think he was that far off.
who wants to give money to businesses in a neighborhood where you have a 100% chance of having some ugly chola bitch with a bad weave offer you "bud"? this isnt paranoia from a suburban mom, this is true fact from someone who knows her shit.
the block of the ave between 45th and 47th has seen an insane amount of violence in the last year (ive witnessed a curbstomping and several all-out brawls in the last two months alone). which is funny because, if you are some poor sucker who doesnt have a reliable dealer, where you do go to buy weed? the same block. its a business that creates a violent culture.
so no, i dont think he was that far off.
11
Cops have no incentive to legalize pot because they're too dependent on the economic benefits they receive by keeping it illegal.
If pot were legalized tomorrow, where would the cops get the money to pay for their fancy, high-tech assault gear? The DEA isn't going to give them jack to go after a legal substance. And where will they get their hot cars and boats if they can't confiscate them from pot dealers and growers?
I'll be half the crap in the average cop's house: the big screen plasma TV's, the bitchin' sound systems, the laptop computers, you name it, once spent a few weeks in an evidence locker somewhere before ending up in a police auction where they snagged it at a ridiculous discount.
If it weren't for the War On Drugs, the cops would have to buy all this stuff at retail, just like the rest of us peons.
If pot were legalized tomorrow, where would the cops get the money to pay for their fancy, high-tech assault gear? The DEA isn't going to give them jack to go after a legal substance. And where will they get their hot cars and boats if they can't confiscate them from pot dealers and growers?
I'll be half the crap in the average cop's house: the big screen plasma TV's, the bitchin' sound systems, the laptop computers, you name it, once spent a few weeks in an evidence locker somewhere before ending up in a police auction where they snagged it at a ridiculous discount.
If it weren't for the War On Drugs, the cops would have to buy all this stuff at retail, just like the rest of us peons.
12
You're right, alithea. They deserve storefronts on 45-47th so that they can be the only thriving business on the ave without all the violence. (See 5, 10).
Also, Boeing sells weapons. Ergo, they are creating a violent culture by selling weapons. I don't hear your sanctimonious cries for their shutdown.
Yeah, you know your shit alright.
Also, Boeing sells weapons. Ergo, they are creating a violent culture by selling weapons. I don't hear your sanctimonious cries for their shutdown.
Yeah, you know your shit alright.
14
I see several drug deals every day from my perch above the Ave. There are a lot of arrests, too, but nothing like the drug deals. And for those of you who are blind to the violence behind pot dealers and pot growing operations, fuck y'all. It's like any other substance that some folks have and some don't. It's not a magical peace drug.
15
the block of the ave between 45th and 47th has seen an insane amount of violence in the last year
fwiw, the police have been clearing out the rite aid area more frequently in the past month. I even took a photo when there were zero people in front of it because it was such an amazing site. Of course the people return sooner or later, but still... it's nice to occasionally walk down the sidewalk and not have to dodge a mass of loitering dealers.
fwiw, the police have been clearing out the rite aid area more frequently in the past month. I even took a photo when there were zero people in front of it because it was such an amazing site. Of course the people return sooner or later, but still... it's nice to occasionally walk down the sidewalk and not have to dodge a mass of loitering dealers.
16
Actually, I was walking to my bus on Wednesday night when a fight broke out between a couple of bangers, and within minutes tons of cops showed up in five cars.
At most maybe one of the bangers between 45th and 47th was using pot, out of about 20.
Conclusion: Cops are blowing smoke up our axxxes.
GET BACK TO WORK BUSTING REAL CRIMES LIKE WE TOLD YA!
At most maybe one of the bangers between 45th and 47th was using pot, out of about 20.
Conclusion: Cops are blowing smoke up our axxxes.
GET BACK TO WORK BUSTING REAL CRIMES LIKE WE TOLD YA!
17
Do the police mean that pot is causing this violence or that the criminalization of pot, leading to (shady maybe?) dealing is causing the violence?
I know from experience, I can never believe that pot brings on more violent emotion than drinking does. Violence hardly even makes sense when you're high on pot!!
I know from experience, I can never believe that pot brings on more violent emotion than drinking does. Violence hardly even makes sense when you're high on pot!!
18
@11 said:
"...its a business that creates a violent culture."
Sorry, it's a violent culture creating a lucrative business because there's no one to stop it from driving non-violent sellers away.
At the root of the violence is the illegality.
"...its a business that creates a violent culture."
Sorry, it's a violent culture creating a lucrative business because there's no one to stop it from driving non-violent sellers away.
At the root of the violence is the illegality.
19
This is strictly for the retards. Violence in the drug trade is the DIRECT result of prohibition. Violent criminals realize they can make incredible profits by muscling other business minded drug dealers. I guarantee 80% of drug dealers and drug smokers would not feel the need for any violence if they weren't threatened by thugs. The other 20% are stupid and commit violent acts because thats how they think they're supposed to act (Scarface) ie when they front someone drugs and that person doesn't pay on time.
How about coke? Most would agree cocaine is a violent trade right? Pablo Escobar began his criminal career stealing grave markers sanding them off and re-selling them. He moved on to car theft and murder for hire before realizing he could sell coke for absurd amounts of profit and simply kill people who got in the way. Violent criminal moving into the drug trade because of profits made available through prohibition.
How about coke? Most would agree cocaine is a violent trade right? Pablo Escobar began his criminal career stealing grave markers sanding them off and re-selling them. He moved on to car theft and murder for hire before realizing he could sell coke for absurd amounts of profit and simply kill people who got in the way. Violent criminal moving into the drug trade because of profits made available through prohibition.
20
I go to the ave to get bud and then I also spend money at legal businesses while I'm there. If not for the bud I would run my errands in some other neighborhood.
note to self: find a real dealer
note to self: find a real dealer
21
Prohibition 101: It's the illegality that causes the crime, not the drug. (Well o.k., it is the drug too, but to a much smaller degree.)
22
Is this moralizing about the UW and pot part of the local police's hatred of Jonathan Wender?
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/lo…
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/lo…
25
Fuck this article man!
weed is not the reason for violence.
If their worried about weed dealers, then they should legalize it.
FUCK THE POLICE!!!!!
weed is not the reason for violence.
If their worried about weed dealers, then they should legalize it.
FUCK THE POLICE!!!!!
26
No shit, 20.
I've got to go down there soon. How's the buying? I'm assuming it is still better than Pike.
I know, gotta find a dealer, but I live in the burbs and work for the man.
I've got to go down there soon. How's the buying? I'm assuming it is still better than Pike.
I know, gotta find a dealer, but I live in the burbs and work for the man.
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