For months, a problematic stretch of 3rd Avenue in downtown Seattle has been plagued with open-air drug dealing.
Now, dozens are facing consequences after the King County Prosecutor’s Office said it's the results of more prosecutions and cases being investigated by Seattle police.
It’s much quieter on 3rd Avenue between Pine and Pike streets compared to what many who often walk in the area said they’ve seen in the past.
“I feel like it’s a lot better,” James Xavier said. “People are more able to come into the shops, actually do what they do need to do, like shop and stuff.”
For months on this stretch, it wasn’t unusual to see open air drug use. It has also been an area that has seen several shootings this year
With the help of emphasis patrols by the Seattle Police Department, the King County Prosecutor’s Office has filed 35 felony drug dealing cases from the start of the 2022 through the end of August. Those are against 33 defendants.
Of the 35 drug dealing charges:
- 24 involve fentanyl
- 6 involve meth
- 4 involve crack
- 1 involves heroin
Of the 10 cases that also have a gun charge:
- 7 involve only a fentanyl charge
- 1 involves fentanyl and meth charges
- 1 involves only a meth charge
- 1 involves only a heroin charge
“If someone is dealing fentanyl, anywhere in King County, particularly 3rd and Pike, you can expect a felony charge,” Casey McNerthney of the King County Prosecutor’s Office said.
International Cigar and Tobacco has been on this block for more than two decades. The former owner, Amir Yousuf, recently sold it after he said he saw a jump in drug use and violent crime outside his window.
“Although I’m not there, business is still there,” Yousuf said. “There are so many other small businesses there; I hope they will keep pushing for improvement.”
This comes at a time when Seattle City Council recently voted to move forward with plans to revamp 3rd Avenue, making it pedestrian friendly and bringing in more stores.
Yousuf supports the plan only if there’s a strong focus on increasing safety.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Yousuf said. “Make it more friendly for the people to walk around, good for business, good for the city."