King County Prosecutor Dan Satterburg was joined by Deputy Prosecutor Mike Hogan at a press conference this afternoon to express their commitment to prevent and prosecute hate crimes on Capitol Hill and throughout the county. The Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce and Gay City along with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, have joined together in an effort combat hate crimes with their slogan “Help Protect Our Neighborhood. Bust Hate Crimes.”
There has been a recent rash of hate crimes on Capitol Hill (along with other violent attacks) and in other parts of the city and they wanted to emphasize that their main concern is that no one gets hurt, to not engage a bully and call 911 immediately.
The conference included unveiling of a new poster titled “Hate Crime A!ert” providing tips on what do to in order to “avoid being a victim.”
They also issued pocket sized cards with phone numbers to resources for those who have been a victim of a hate crime with the slogan: “Prevent Anti-Gay Hate Crimes.”
Deputy Prosecutor Mike Hogan pointed out that the majority of cases involved the consumption of alcohol or were committed by drug and alcohol abusers but perpetrators actually ranged from young adults to people in their 50’s. He emphasized that someone should report a crime even if it is only a threat of violence and resist the temptation to verbally engage a taunting.
Meanwhile a Ballard school teacher was recently assaulted on Capitol Hill while trying to report a crime he witnessed to 911 and is still in serious condition and likely will need years of therapy to recover. The suspect is still at large.
What we need is an increase in police visability. Even with a police station on 12th, one barely sees any police officers patrolling capitol or first hill. If there were any form of visibility, there may be a decrease in violent attacks as well as a possible reduction in homeless people (typically teenagers) and pan-handlers.