A few weeks ago I asked if a few people impacted by crime in Renton would allow me to share their stories, to help illustrate the real human impact crime was having on our residents and our city, beyond the statistics. Earlier posts in this series were from Tonya, who told her story about her family moving from Renton after an immense loss; and Melyza, about how her life was turned upside down by an attempted car theft. I’m publishing these as a call to action by state and local lawmakers, and everyone else that might be able to do more to protect our residents and business owners from crime.
I’ve posted the third in this series today, submitted by a woman who asked to be called E.W. She lives in the North Renton neighborhood, between Boeing and downtown. She and her husband bought a home in this neighborhood when they moved to Renton.
This is her story (in italics):
This is in response to your blog about how crime is affecting people here in Renton. My husband and I have three children in the North Renton neighborhood. We have lived here almost five years. The neighborhood and people here are delightful.
But we have gotten so concerned for the safety of our children, especially when they play outside. We spent thousands of dollars constructing a long, tall fence. (We hated the separation this created between our yard and the many neighbors we enjoy greeting as they pass by on the sidewalk.). The fence wasn’t enough. There has been a steady drumbeat of gun violence. I am afraid of one of my kids being shot while playing outside. There is also frequent loud shouting, cursing and altercations by people that are suffering behavioral issues, suffering from addiction, or unhoused passing on foot on a regular basis.
We intended to stay in this house forever, but are now in the process of moving to east Renton highlands in pursuit of safety for our kids.
This is a decision made out of privilege – most of the families in our neighborhood can’t afford to leave to a more expensive neighborhood and deserve more safety right where they are.
_____________________________________________________
Just 16 hours before publishing E.W.s story, there was gunfire in her neighborhood at N. 3rd St and Park Ave North as assailants in a car with no license plates passed a group of teenagers, and both parties apparently shot at each other. Three uninvolved motorists in two separate vehicles were injured by flying glass as bullets pierced their cars. The police are currently looking for the suspects. There have been increasingly frequent shootings in this area, combined with a record number of homicides.
Families with children like E.W.s are important to the future of our city. It’s critical that families are able to thrive in North Renton, one of our city’s oldest neighborhoods with our most distinctive and historic homes. This neighborhood also hosts our city’s Don Persson Senior Activity Center and Sartori elementary school, in addition to highly utilized parks and trails. I’m grateful for E.W. for sharing her experience. It represents a call to action to those policy makers in charge of protecting this neighborhood from crime before more families feel they need to move out. There are tens of thousands of Rentonites committed to making North Renton a safe and inviting neighborhood for all families. Any elected policy makers that don’t have this responsibility near the very top of their priority list should step down and let someone who cares take their place.
Bad Renton politicians should step down…. Frankly a recall effort could be fun.
“assailants in a car with no license plates passed a group of”
This is interesting, the passage of HB1513 can only make this more possible of happening and NO way to identify other than well it was ____________ colored car of this type _____________ of make.
Yes, I acknowledge it was in another time and era but in 1977 I was pulled over by a policeman when he couldn’t read the tabs on my plate (they had lost their color, but I still had the plates to identify the vehicle), this got me a 10-day warning ticket to fix so I could be legal. I wasn’t even aware of the fading of the tab’s colors, so it was a good thing to be stopped and informed of the safety violation.
I’ve been pulled over for tabs a couple times in my past too. Once when I had forgotten to put the sticker on by the required date, and another time in the 1970s right after I purchased a car and was driving to DMV. Both times were fix-it tickets, as in your case. Officers are obviously good at patrolling for this offense, and it makes sense that the law would let them do it. It’s possible that this shooting yesterday would not have occurred if legislators had given police the authority to pursue the car that was missing its license plate, before its occupants had a chance to shoot at people.
This ‘story’ is exactly what Professor Carmen Rivera is helping by highlighting the ongoing issue of systemic inequality and the need for comprehensive solutions to address the root causes of crime and violence.
It’s important to recognize that EW’s ability to move to a safer neighborhood is a PRIVLAGE that is not available to all families, particularly those who may face white cishet hate.
Councilmember Rivera focuses on the intersectionality of social justice issues and the need for a holistic approach to addressing them. Crime and violence are often symptoms of larger systemic issues, such as poverty, lack of access to education and resources, and discrimination. Addressing these root causes requires comprehensive policies that promote equity and justice for all members of the community and not just those with the means to help themselves.
Carmen has promoted herself as “Professor”. She isn’t.
It’s important to acknowledge the distinction between academic credentials and positions to ensure respect for colleagues and avoid overstating one’s achievements. It’s unfortunate that Carmen falsely claimed academic credentials and a position she doesn’t hold.
Similarly, as elected officials represent the public, it’s crucial that they maintain credibility by being fact-based.
Additionally, the title “Professor” is reserved for individuals who have undergone rigorous academic training and conducted original research, as demonstrated through a formal review process. This typically involves completing a Master’s degree and a doctoral program, which can take several years to complete.
Councilmember Rivera should stop claiming this title because she hasn’t earned it.
That is crap, some of us choose to stay here where we live in Renton, not because of privilege but because we like where we live and also like some of those who choose to stay here.
SummerBoi, thank you for your comment. I always appreciate receiving a wide range of perspectives.
I have a question. You said “Crime and violence are often symptoms of larger systemic issues, such as poverty, lack of access to education and resources, and discrimination. Addressing these root causes requires comprehensive policies that promote equity and justice for all members of the community and not just those with the means to help themselves.”
Now we know Renton households make 80% of area median income on average, and are majority non-white. So can you please explain, in language we can understand, exactly how allowing Renton’s neighborhoods to turn into war-zones helps promote equity and justice?
You’re being disingenuous and not acknowledging the truth about the proposal put forth by Councilmember Rivera.
Rather than advocating for defunding, she and other compassionate councilmembers will seek to incorporate social workers and social service programs into the solution. This approach would not only provide necessary funding but also assist in de-escalating situations involving individuals who are desperate, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or struggling with mental illness, thus preventing violence against themselves or others.
Unlike police officers, social workers have specialized training and knowledge to diagnose and address medical situations at the level required.
I haven’t seen that proposal. Is there something with action steps and proposed funding ideas? If you have a proposal I would like to include it in a blog entry. Do you have it?
If they had a plan, it would get in the way of their platitudes.
Is Carmen really not a professor? She’s been making that up? What a putz.
>>Rather than advocating for defunding, she and other compassionate councilmembers
I wonder who those other “compassionate councilmembers” are. Elections are coming up.
Make YT pay! Amirite?
https://www.tiktok.com/@riveraforrenton/video/7044218584838638894
There’s no excuse for shooting at other human beings. To excuse such behavior is to practice the bigotry of lowered expectations.
Sorry EW. We all have let you and your family down.
I wrote a letter to our “representatives”. Thank you for bringing this information.