🛣️ Neighbors share Aurora solutions

Addressing Aurora: Three Neighbors Share Solutions

Aurora Avenue North has a long and complicated history in Seattle. Gun violence and sex work along the former road trip destination have made headlines for decades. But this year, according to the Seattle Times, about 8% of the shootings reported in Seattle happened within the 1.5-square-mile area surrounding Aurora between 85th and 115th streets. Residents put up makeshift barriers on streets to prevent people from driving near their homes and staged a march demanding action from City Hall. At the end of June, Seattle City Council passed an ordinance allowing the Transportation Department to close streets along Aurora Avenue due to criminal activity. Our team wanted to hear from the people impacted directly. So, today on the podcast we’re airing three conversations with neighbors:

• Brandon Monson, neighbor and member of Seattle Human Rights Commission: “One idea that got pitched at the walk that we did was having a co-located SPD, CARE Team, non-profit organizations model where everyone's in the same building and it's on Aurora, and it's between that 85th and 109th area. So we're getting: police presence, which I think some people really think will work. We're getting the CARE team for people who need that support. We're also getting the ability for women that are being sex trafficked, or children that are being sex trafficked, to go somewhere that can actually help them.”
• Angel, neighbor, sex worker and decriminalization advocate: “ What's important about the decriminalization method is that you actually have self-determination in your work. I can say that most people who are working out there do not feel comfortable going to the police when there is violence. And it's similar to the neighbors' [experience with police], they may not even show up. And if they do show up, you run the risk of being assaulted and not being able to talk about it. You run the risk of being thrown in jail or having your fingerprints taken. Right now, there's not really a way for us within the city to be able to access help.”
• Carlo Alcantara, neighbor and member of Aurora Reimagined Coalition: “Our coalition would love to see this treated like the main neighborhood street it is. Or if not, let's build a second I-5, right? … We're trying to do two things at once, and it isn't working.” [City Cast Seattle]

🍿Quality Film Center joins Punk Rock Flea: There’s a new movie house in town. Every first and third Thursday of the month, movie-goers can purchase a ticket for a 7 p.m. screening at the Quality Flea Center, the repurposed grocery store on the hill that’s also home to Punk Rock Flea Market. Recent screenings have included But I’m a Cheerleader, Dr. Strangelove, and Daisies. To join, check out their newsletter. [CHS Blog]

🌇 More daylight might be coming to an evening near you: Politicians across the aisle have found a cause they can agree on: sunshine. This week, the U.S. House voted to make daylight saving time permanent nationwide. The bill now moves to the Senate, where Sen. Patty Murray has expressed support. Washington is one of 19 states that have passed permanent daylight saving time, but must wait for Congress to act for it to take effect. [Washington State Standard]

🏴‍☠️ Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos’ reelection campaign scammed for $20k: The Stranger’s Hunter Pauli reported this wild story involving scammers impersonating a credit union and the FBI, and claiming hacked campaign funds were used to purchase “twenty-thousand dollars in Chinese child pornography.” The campaign never informed donors about the fraud loss, which makes up nearly half of total donations received this election cycle. [The Stranger]