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'It's gotta change': 160 Seattle businesses call for public safety focus

caption: Ben Rainbow says in nearly eight years he's "seen a lot" in the alley where his bike repair shop is. Rainbow said it takes time away from his business on Monday, October 22, 2019.
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Ben Rainbow says in nearly eight years he's "seen a lot" in the alley where his bike repair shop is. Rainbow said it takes time away from his business on Monday, October 22, 2019.
KUOW PHOTO/ Casey Martin

Dozens of Seattle business owners and residents are demanding that the City Council invest in tougher crime-stopping measures in next year's budget.

Ben Rainbow is one of the 160 people signing a letter to the council. He said he's used to crime at his doorstep near Pioneer Square.

Just Monday, he said, he found the lock to his business, Back Alley Bike Repair, had been damaged.

"Tried to burn the padlock off and break in with a lighter, a pocket lighter," he said.

Rainbow and the other signers complain about City Attorney Pete Holmes and demand more investment into public safety.

caption: Ben Rainbow, owner of Back Alley Bike Repair, says this past summer was the worst yet in crime. Rainbow said Pioneer Square "got absolutely clobbered" on Monday, October 22, 2019.
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Ben Rainbow, owner of Back Alley Bike Repair, says this past summer was the worst yet in crime. Rainbow said Pioneer Square "got absolutely clobbered" on Monday, October 22, 2019.
KUOW Photo/ Casey Martin

Rainbow said he's called the police at least a dozen times this year on people he said were homeless.

"I'd really like to see a decrease in the petty crimes and the petty offenses of this transient population," Rainbow said.

He said that in his nearly eight years of business, crime has gotten worse each year.

Holmes didn't respond to a request for comment yesterday.

In her budget proposal, Mayor Jenny Durkan has requested nearly $3 million for new initiatives aimed at stopping people cycling through the criminal justice system.

But several council members have said they want more money to expand LEAD, a diversion program that's designed to keep people out of the system.

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