RON AND DON

Why people in Seattle like me have stopped calling 911

Jul 20, 2018, 7:33 AM | Updated: 10:43 am

The mess left behind the break-in. (KIRO Radio/Don O'Neill) The mess left behind the break-in. (KIRO Radio/Don O'Neill) What the thieves left behind. (KIRO Radio/Don O'Neill)

I live in a Seattle neighborhood near Ballard where The Seattle Times reported Thursday that homelessness has quadrupled and it has reached a boiling point for residents and business owners.

RELATED: Child assaulted at Ballard community center

On that same morning, I took pictures of my truck that had been broken into once AGAIN. I’m often curious what thieves take and what they leave behind.

Missing:

1. One Hoka One Trail Running Shoe/ size 11.5
2. Three tailored shirts that were in a laundry bag and have my name on them
3. One Nintendo 3DS kids charger
4. One pair of kids alligator sunglasses

I hate to admit it, but this is something I have just gotten use to. It seems like our mayor and city council don’t seem to have a problem with these break-ins. They allow people to camp anywhere they want to in the city. And these people have specifically targeted Ballard because you can still park in the industrial areas for free for up to 72 hours without getting towed or ticketed.

RELATED: Ballard homeowner defends himself in burglary

People that are camping for free still need funds because even know the city and charities provide them with food, clothing, tents, toiletries, water, cleaning services, and free parking , some campers still need to raise money for heroin and the new meth problem which has once again hit our streets.

So, when are we going to close the campground in Ballard or in downtown Seattle?

I don’t care about my stuff. I do care about the fear that this instills in my child. He often asks me if we are safe from “the neighborhood robbers.” So I lie and tell him, “of course we are.”

I understand that not every homeless person is a thief, but these are not homeless people. These are squatters and campers that are running rampant through our neighborhoods because they know the Seattle Police Department is understaffed. They also know the police that are on the streets are de-policing.

RELATED: Golden Gardens attacker dies in prison

Politicians will tell you crime is down, but the truth is I didn’t call 911, and many people are just like me. Crime is not down, but the reporting is because we know nothing is going to happen until you close the campground, Mayor Durkan.

I invite the mayor to come on our show and have a spirited civil debate. She won’t.

In the meantime if you see a one-shoe’d person with a fancy dress shirt on, wearing a pair of child’s alligator sunglasses, let him know I have his other trail running shoe and I’d also like to know what he has against pink. He left the pink dress shirt behind?

See you on the radio at 3.

Ron and Don

...

KIRO Newsradio Newsdesk

Ron and Don’s last show on KIRO Radio

Last night was Ron and Don’s last show on KIRO Radio.

5 years ago

Kelly Herzberg in her natural habitat. (Photo by Rachel Belle)...

Rachel Belle

In Seattle, a personal shopper and stylist who only shops at thrift stores

If you think you can't afford a personal stylist, head to the thrift store with Sweet Kelly Anne Styling's Kelly Herzberg who will pull hundreds of pieces for you to try on.

5 years ago

Viaduct waterfront...

Ron Upshaw

What do we do with the waterfront after the viaduct is gone?

After the viaduct is taken down, we'll be left with a choice: What do we do with one of the most beautiful waterfronts in the country?

5 years ago

(MyNorthwest)...

Ron Upshaw

Shower Thoughts: Ichiro can give Mariners fans something to root for

Rumor has it that Ichiro might make a comeback next year, and I for one welcome it.

5 years ago

Border wall...

Ron Upshaw

Trying to figure out why people want Trump’s border wall

A little over 40 percent of Americans now support the idea of a border wall, but what is it about it that seems so attractive?

5 years ago

Dan McCartney, Pierce County Sheriff...

Don O'Neill

Why you could hear kids’ voices on Pierce County Sheriff radios Monday night

Sometimes, "gone but not forgotten" isn't always how slain officers are remembered. But in Pierce County, a special effort is being made to commemorate a fallen deputy.

5 years ago

Why people in Seattle like me have stopped calling 911