Crime takes over Seattle – Amazon and McDonald’s close branches in the area
Many deadly incidents have taken place in downtown Seattle recently, and many businesses are taking care of the lives of their employees and customers – and have decided to simply leave the place
Thousands of Amazon employees working in offices in downtown Seattle will be temporarily relocated – following a sharp jump in violent crime in the area. McDonald’s also fears for the lives of its employees and customers, and announced the closure of the branch in the area.
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About 1,800 workers are assigned to the office space on Third Avenue and Payne Street in the heart of the city, but many of them still work remotely. This is what the company said in a statement to KOMO News.
“Given the recent incidents, we are providing employees in this location with alternative office space, elsewhere,” a company spokesman said. “We hope conditions will improve, and that we can bring employees back to this office when it is safe to do so.”
There have been horrific crimes in the area recently, including a shooting earlier this month that resulted in the death of a 15-year-old boy. Authorities have not yet found the suspect, police said.
Two days after the shooting, on March 4, a homeless man was stabbed in his sleep, just around the corner from the Amazon office on Fourth Avenue. A day later, police shot and killed an armed suspect, who hit with his car into the Pedry building and fired a rifle in the downtown area.
The sharp jump in violent incidents prompted Seattle Police to set up a mobile compound along Third Avenue, where police officers on bicycles roam the area regularly.
On behalf of the office of the mayor of Sital, Bruce Harel, the Fox News network was told that they are working to make the city center safer – but admitted that it may take time.
“While it will take time to eliminate long-lasting safety issues, Mayor Harel’s early efforts are critical first steps in dealing with crime and improving security, through dedicated police officers, a mobile compound and other environmental changes,” the statement said.
“Mayor Harel will continue to develop a comprehensive approach to public safety in cooperation with the police and other agencies, community members, service providers and businesses – including Amazon – to operate, revitalize and rehabilitate the city center for all.”
Not only Amazon has decided to abandon the region due to the fear for human life. Cloud technology company Qumulo has announced the closure of its gates in the area, and McDonald’s has also approved the closure of its downtown branches, citing the inability to maintain employee safety.
The franchisee and operator of the branch, David Santilens, said: “My top priority is the health and safety of our employees and customers. Out of concern for them, we have temporarily closed our restaurant located on Third Avenue.”
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