Seattle's 12th and Jackson draws mixed views on safety and progress
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People gather along the sidewalk near 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street in Seattle's Little Saigon. Photo: Christine Clarridge/Axios
Despite new fencing, bus stop closures, cleanups and extra patrols, some business owners and residents say Little Saigon has slipped back into open-air drug use and disorder.
Why it matters: Conditions at 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street are a test of City Hall's ability to deliver lasting improvements at the troubled Chinatown–International District juncture.
Catch up quick: A spree of violence at the intersection last year, capped by the reported stabbing of 10 people within roughly 37 hours in November, prompted King County to temporarily close four nearby bus stops and city leaders to promise stronger interventions.
- A 2024 city auditor's report flagged 12th and Jackson as one of Seattle's top 10 hot spots for drug overdoses and violent crime.
The latest: A Sept. 5 shooting at 12th and Jackson left one man critically hurt and knocked out power to about 10,000 people when a bullet struck equipment.
What they're saying: "I think it's worse than before," Seattle resident Marvin Cooper, who catches a bus at the intersection, told Axios. "The city let it go once the spotlight faded."
- Teizi Mersai, the business operations manager at Lam's seafood on 12th and King, told Axios marginal improvements at 12th and Jackson have just pushed the problems to the surrounding blocks.
- "All we have had are empty promises," said Lam's general manager Anh Thu.
Yes, but: A spokesperson for Mayor Bruce Harrell told Axios "sustainable progress takes time."
- "We have seen noticeable improvements through the Downtown Activation Team's high-visibility police patrols and enhanced cleaning efforts," Harrell spokesperson Callie Craighead said.
- She said 911 calls out of Little Saigon were down 24% in August 2025 compared to the same month in 2024, with fewer thefts and robberies reported.
What we're watching: A coalition led by the International District Rotary and the Low Income Housing Institute rolled out a "15-Point Plan" Tuesday to help curb illegal activity in the CID, including:
- Opening a community safety office at the intersection and stepping up police patrols and enforcement.
- Adding new tiny house villages citywide and boosting funding for affordable housing in the CID.
- Providing financial aid for small businesses hit by crime.