What’s up with this? In the past week, two local Capitol Hill businesses, both serving very different aspects of the LGBTQ community, have been victims of crime. Capitol Hill Seattle blog has a report today that the Steamworks bath house at 1520 Summit Avenue was robbed late Wednesday night, just before 11pm. The robber pepper sprayed the clerk, said he had a gun and took the contents of the cash register. The clerk was shaken and treated for pepper spray exposure but was otherwise unharmed. The assailant was described as, “…an unknown race male, around 5’9″ and wearing a dark hoodie pulled tight to cover his face.” No further information has been released on the crime, or if police have any leads.
This follows a burglary late Monday night/early Tuesday morning at Dunshee House, 303 17th Avenue East. Employees arrived to work Tuesday morning to discover the offices ransacked and several thousand dollars worth of computers, electronic equipment and personal effects missing from the premises. Dunshee House is a non-profit organization that provides counseling and support services for HIV/AIDS patients, as well as other LGBTQ community groups. Dunshee House released the following statement on Tuesday:
Dunshee House (Home of Seattle AIDS Support Group) staff came into work this morning to find that their offices had been burglarized and ransacked. The perpetrator(s) managed to make off with several thousand dollars worth of computer and electronics equipment, as well as many personal items and belongings of the staff. This attack on those who work at Dunshee House, as well as those who seek peer support in the safety of the organization, feel an extraordinary violation of their security as this tragic event took place the day before World AIDS Day. The staff and volunteers work diligently throughout the year to provide a safe and sober space for the community to come for support and activities, words are not enough to express the magnitude of the damage created by this egregious act. The greater tragedy is the fact that three of the year’s largest fundraising events are currently underway.
The Stronger Together 7th Annual World AIDS Day Luncheon, Rock the House “World AIDS Day Concert”, and the 21st Annual SASG Holiday Tree Sale are three critical fundraising events that help keep the lights on and doors open at Dunshee House. As staff and volunteers work at these three events, their efforts stand to be compromised by the criminal acts that have taken place today. However, the staff and volunteer groups at Dunshee House continue working away to prepare for these vital fundraising efforts. They will not be deterred by the thoughtless acts of criminals. Rather they will march on and show their strength through these tough times. The World AIDS Day Luncheon, Rock the House, and the Holiday Tree Sale will continue on thanks to the perseverance and determination of those who make it all happen each year. They need the support of the community more now than ever to show that their efforts are not in vein. They ask that anyone in the community who wishes to show their support come out and purchase a holiday tree or wreath, sponsor a table/seat at the luncheon, attend the concert, or simply make an online donation this holiday season.
Police are investigating the crime, but in the meanwhile support the Dunshee House with a contribution, and/or buying a Christmas tree during their annual fundraiser.
– Michael Strangeways
