Transportation authorities in Seattle say due to high crime in the area, King County Metro will discontinue its bus stop in Little Saigon on 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street.
Northwest Asian Weekly reports the move is temporary, but it’s unknown at this time when the stop would be reinstated.
Just last month, AsAmNews reported a series of stabbings left 10 people injured near the same intersection.
News of the closure left passengers with only inconvenient alternatives.
“12 blocks to catch a bus now. We have to go downhill. Very inconvenient,” said passenger Darren Wide to KOMO-TV.
But after the stabbing, some bus drivers had refused to stop in the area. The union demanded the city take immediate action.
“These are difficult solutions, but I have to think of the safety of my members,” said Greg Woodfill, president of ATU 587.
Little Saigon is one of three neighborhoods in the Chinatown-International District. The others are Japantown and Chinatown.
“Due to the current daily environment in the surrounding area, our customers are often unable to comfortably use the stops to board or exit,” King County Metro Public Information Officer Al Sanders said to The Center Square in an email. “As a result of these conditions, Metro made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend serving all the stops at 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street in all directions.”
The entire neighborhood known as CID had been designated by the City Council as a “Stay Out of Drugs Area” meaning courts can order defendants to stay out.
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