Beacon Hill Warning
Photo by evil robot 6
I was leaving the off-leash dog area next to Dr. Jose Rizal Park earlier tonight when a local resident approached to give me a warning. Allegedly, there have been 6 women raped in the neighborhood over the last two weeks; the most recent of which was on Monday. He told me that it hasn’t been reported much in the news because (in his opinion) the victims were homeless women likely camping in the park at night.
I searched online and only found one mention of the incidents.
This park is located next to the landmark Amazon building on Beacon Hill, formerly the VA Medical Center. I’ve taken my dog there a few times but since there is rarely anyone else there, we prefer to go elsewhere. I was alone in the park with my dog for about 30 minutes and while I was aware of my surroundings, if something had happened I do not think anyone would have known.
The resident also informed me that there is a large work party coming in on Saturday and Sunday to help clear out the brush and debris to make it a bit safer for those who use and live near the park.
Edit to add: Seattle Times report, King 5 report.
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I think the moral of the story is : be aware of your surroundings and things that people tell you in the park might require confirmation. Any way to follow-up, for instance with police reports?
I’m going to keep an ear out for news.
Lesson #3 is don’t sleep in the park at night if you can help it.
I guess there was a meeting at work on Monday about this (I work at 4th and Holgate.) All of the female employees were told that there is a man who is enticing homeless women with drugs, drink, or whatever they’d want to go off with him. Then he rapes them. So at the beginning they are willingly joining this man (or men). Then the whole thing turns sour and not what they wanted.
So, don’t accept drugs or drink from a stranger and don’t go off with said stranger…