New Police Patrols Coming To Belltown

Interim Seattle Police Chief John Diaz said there will be a larger police presence in Belltown starting on Friday, just in time for the weekend.

The new plan comes after several weekends of violence just after closing time in the downtown Seattle neighborhood.

Last weekend, one man was shot in the jaw, another man was beaten unconscious and an apartment manager was stabbed.

The Belltown Community Council has been outspoken in its call for more police protection.

The neighborhood group hopes more police visibility on the streets will help prevent violent crime.

The group's leader, Richard Nordstrom, called on Mayor Mike McGinn to hire at least 21 new officers to be a deterrent to after-hours crime in Belltown.

He said too many neighbors feel under-protected at night.

One such resident, Rick Halsey, said "We call 911 about people trying to break into this building through the front door and trespass on the property, and we get response times anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes."

Diaz said starting Friday, you'll see officers moving their patrols from other parts of the city to Belltown.

Police will go over the details of the new plan at a community safety meeting Tuesday.

It will start at 7 p.m. at the Seattle Labor Temple at 2800 1st. Ave.