Get the latest BPR news delivered free to your inbox daily. SIGN UP HERE
The crime wave in cities under Democrat control continues to rage out of control, driving Amazon to relocate around 1,800 employees from downtown Seattle out of concern for their safety, yet another grim example of what happens when activist politicians defund the police.
Once one of America’s most picturesque cities and the jewel of the Pacific Northwest, Seattle has deteriorated into a dystopian hellhole with streets filled with vagrants, drug addicts and criminals who, in addition to committing acts of violence against each other, prey on law-abiding citizens who venture into the danger zone.
The online shopping colossus made the decision to move its employees out of the office space in a building that was previously a Macy’s department store at Third Avenue and Pine Street in the heart of the city,
An Amazon spokesman provided a statement to the Daily Mail on the move: “Given recent incidents near Third and Pine, we’re providing employees currently at that location with alternative office space elsewhere,” he said. “We are hopeful that conditions will improve and that we will be able to bring employees back to this location when it is safe to do so.”
“The latest spike in crime comes just months after the Seattle City Council approved a 2022 budget that cut police department spending by more than $7 million – bringing the total to $35.6 million over the past three years – and drawing criticism from residents who urged the city spend more on public safety,” The Daily Mail reported. “Most recently, there has been a rash of violent crimes, specifically in the area of Third Avenue and Pine Street, that is pushing people away from the downtown Seattle area.”
(Screengrab: Seattle Police Department)
The downtown area has seen a spate of violent incidents in the last few weeks including police shooting and killing a man who fired a rifle and rammed his car into the federal building on March 5.
MULTIPLE SHOTS FIRED: Several @SeattlePD officers fatally shot a man Saturday night. Police say the unidentified man fired his rifle and rammed his vehicle into the federal building in downtown, sending panicked bystanders scrambling for cover. Listen to the rapid fire! #Seattle pic.twitter.com/U4kXz4wE1l
— Jonathan Choe Journalist KOMO News (@choeshow) March 6, 2022
In another violent incident, a 15-year-old teen was shot and killed in the 1500 block of Third Avenue, near the Amazon building that employees have been moved from.
The victim in this incident has died. We will be releasing more information as it becomes available, and updating and clarifying details of this active investigation. Detective Carson provided an update at the scene: pic.twitter.com/4fCfylhKXN
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) March 3, 2022
Some blame the spike in violent crime on drugs, especially fentanyl.
“Fentanyl, that fentanyl is crazy,” Seattle resident Daniel Jules told local outlet KIRO. “It’s so easy to get it though, it’s everywhere. It’s so easy to get it. On the bus they smoke it. Every bus they’re smoking that fentanyl.”
Another Seattle resident, Savannah Earley said, “I used to hang down here all the time like a couple of years ago but when the blues hit it just got hella sketchy,” the “blues” being a reference to the “round, blue, counterfeit M30 pills that are laced with fentanyl,” according to KIRO.
HAPPENING NOW: On this Fri night, I’m checking out the Macy’s building at the corner of 3rd and Pine in downtown Seattle since @amazon announced employees are bouncing due to all the insanity. Few blocks down near Union St, company’s fears are confirmed. Thank God for @SeattlePD pic.twitter.com/JCqs04JBfy
— Jonathan Choe Journalist KOMO News (@choeshow) March 12, 2022
Twitter reacted to the news of Amazon’s exodus from the danger zone.
Rise in Crime in Seattle Forces Amazon to Relocate Downtown Workers.
Defunding law enforcement is bad for business & for residents.
That’s why I signed a law that defunds any city that defunds police.
In Texas we support our law enforcement officers. https://t.co/jm0LBG7EE7
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) March 15, 2022
Tesla fled California; Amazon has now fled Seattle. Yet, their progressive leaders will continue selling their leftist wet-dreams and, mind-numbingly, much of their population will continue huffing the emotion and supporting the fantasy.
Why? I don't have the first fucking clue.
— Theo Jordan (@Theo_TJ_Jordan) March 14, 2022
How is that defunding the police working out, Seattle?
Amazon relocating 1,800 downtown Seattle office workers due to skyrocketing violent crime and danger to employees.
— Roger J. Wright (@rjw1249) March 14, 2022
They said let's defund the police, let's demand no bail release for dangerous criminals, let's not prosecute low level crimes, let's open up the prisons and turn criminals loose … What could go wrong? https://t.co/T4kMKCVh6G
— Last Call For Liberty 🇺🇸 …Nix 46 (@kandibar2011) March 13, 2022
You get what you voted for.
Enjoy. https://t.co/nb4wEH3UUq
— john jackson (@pvtjokerus) March 14, 2022
I'm not angry I'm curious.
Washington State has been my family home since the 1880s.
Seattle used to be a wonderful vibrant City with the shipyards, steel mills, lumber industry, retail, building and Boeing.
Now even Amazon employees are afraid to work downtown.
Ask yourself why https://t.co/5ONNdPcVTw— Alonzo Jamison (@AlonzoJamison2) March 14, 2022
It’s gotten to the point where no one wants to live, work or visit downtown Seattle. This city is a toilet.
— The Malcontent (@TowneToon) March 12, 2022
The Seattle mayor’s office provided a statement to Fox News on the company’s decision.
“While it will take time to reverse longstanding safety issues, Mayor Harrell’s early efforts are critical first steps to address crime and improve safety through dedicated SPD officers, a mobile SPD precinct, and additional environmental changes,” the statement said. “Mayor Harrell will continue to develop a comprehensive approach to public safety in collaboration with police and safety advocates, community members, service providers, and businesses, including Amazon, to activate, revitalize, and restore downtown for all.”
Mayor Bruce Harrell is a Democrat.
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
- Nadler chose to catch up on his beauty sleep during House Judiciary Committee meeting - May 27, 2023
- ‘Transformers’ star says he’s ‘a bit of a doomsday prepper’ so he can protect his family ‘if it came to that’ - May 27, 2023
- Transgender athletes banned from competing in elite female events by British Cycling governing body - May 27, 2023
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.