Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan (D) has issued an executive order vacating the “autonomous” zone in the city, otherwise known as the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP), citing ongoing gun violence, rape, robbery, assault, increased gang activity, and property damage in the area.
“Effective at 12:00 p.m. noon on June 30, Cal Anderson Park was closed. At 2:00 a.m. on July 1, 2020, the entirety of the Cal Anderson Park Area shall be close to the public to restore public safety, open roadways, remove obstructions to roadways, and public rights of way, and to accomplish full closure and restoration/cleaning of Cal Anderson Park,” Durkan’s executive order reads.
Seattle Police Department will enforce the closure and “provide dispersal orders” for anyone refusing to leave the area. Those who refuse to leave “will be subject to arrest.”
Due to ongoing violence and public safety issues in the East Precinct/Cal Anderson Park area. Mayor Jenny Durkan has issued an executive order to vacate the area. Seattle police will be in the area this morning enforcing the Mayor’s order. https://t.co/SpVRYIB8eg pic.twitter.com/JAt2AvUTCr
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) July 1, 2020
Breaking: The Seattle Police are retaking the Capitol Hill neighborhood that was taken captive by BLM and antifa militants for more than three weeks.
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 1, 2020
Police are moving people out of the #CHOP southbound on 12th. @KING5Seattle pic.twitter.com/nTIZ7ZfKE3
— Joseph Suttner (@josephsuttner) July 1, 2020
More video of @SeattlePD moving people out of the #CHOP this morning. #Seattle pic.twitter.com/nUWYXNhQUl
— Joseph Suttner (@josephsuttner) July 1, 2020
Durkan’s executive order cites several gun violence incidents — two of which resulted in the loss of life — hostile crowds, the inability of emergency personnel to move quickly and efficiently in the area due to the barriers, narcotics use and violent crime — including rape, robbery, and assault — increased gang activity, business harassment, noise disturbances, property damage, open fires, and ongoing violations of the Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Code of Conduct.
The order adds:
In addition, SPD has received numerous reports of narcotics use and violent crime including rape, robbery , assault, and increased gang activity. An increase of 525%, 22 additional incidents, in person-related crime in the area, to include two additional homicides, 6 additional robberies, and 16 additional aggravated assaults (to include 2 additional non-fatal shootings) between June 2nd and June 30th 2020, compared to the same period of time in 2019.
The order also mentions the “recent rise in COVID-19 numbers across the region, coupled with a lack of social distancing in this area,” noting it increases the risk of outbreaks for those in the zone: