On a recent afternoon, Seattle’s Little Saigon sidewalks were busy. Some people openly smoked drugs or were sprawled out on the sidewalk. Others displayed an assortment of items that appeared to be for sale.
This area is well known for its drug trade and the selling of stolen items. Robert Peoples was out picking up litter as part of an effort to clean up the neighborhood. He described a variety of items that can be found in the unauthorized open air market: “Cologne, toilet paper, dishes, pot pans, blankets, any homeware needs, and, of course, illicit drugs.”
Little Saigon has struggled with crime for years, especially after the pandemic. In response, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson announced in June that the city is cracking down on crime in the neighborhood, centering efforts on the area around the intersection of 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street…