Residents of the Seattle neighborhood of Greenwood have recently faced disturbing events; what used to be a quiet, family friendly area has undergone several worrying incidents that leave locals wondering what can be done.

Katana Sol is currently employed by Top Ten Toys, a toyshop on 85th and Greenwood. Here, she has to take extra precautions for her safety. She is a longtime member to the Greenwood community, and she remembers the time where her neighborhood was a place she felt secure and safe in. Now she faces alarming scenes everyday.

“I have lived in Greenwood since I was a little girl,” said Sol.  “It’s hard now because multiple customers who come into the store appear to have signs of intoxication and forms of drug abuse. It’s especially tough when I have to dump the trash. I have to make sure there aren’t new drug addicts in the trash.”

There have been other events, however, that have made life in Greenwood difficult. Bishop Blanchet Senior Kira Butler recalls the early March explosion caused by a massive gas leak, resulting in multiple windows being blown out and broken entryways and doors.

“I was so scared when the gas explosion occurred in the early morning,” said Butler. “Then it scared me more to be in Greenwood when one of the marijuana shops got robbed. I don’t feel as safe anymore. Greenwood hasn’t fully recovered from the explosion last spring.”

Alleged robberies plague the area, another source of concern for residents. The Seattle Police Data website also reports over three burglaries every five hundred meters on Greenwood avenue. Alaina Van Hollenbeck has experienced the repercussions of living in Greenwood, firsthand.

“A lot of my neighbors’ houses have been robbed,” said Van Hollenbeck. “It’s kind of terrifying because I don’t want my stuff to be stolen. I’m scared for all the people in my neighborhood and for my own family.”

Mike Finnegan, a science teacher at Bishop Blanchet shares similar fears with Van Hollenbeck. He is victim of car vandalism and objects in his car go missing quite frequently. Finnegan believes that for Greenwood to prevail, a higher police presence needs to be implemented. A recent NPR report, disclosed that Boston has 600 more police officers than Seattle, despite remarkably similar population sizes.

Authorities and the greater Greenwood community are working together to find a way to make their neighborhood a safer environment.