Locals living near a stunning beach in West Seattle have vented their fury over what they describe as the nightmare associated with the annual influx of tourists. As temperatures begin to rise and summer slowly creeps in, crime around Alki Beach Park also increases, with reports of all-night parties, street racing, and gunshots.
'It's loud music. It's drinking. They leave, and there are beer cans in the middle of the street, and then that leads to more serious crime, like the shootings we've had over the years,' Steve Pumphrey, a member of the Harbor-Alki Neighbors group, told KOMO.
Alki Beach Park: A Popular Destination with a Dark Side
Alki Beach Park is a popular destination during the warmer months, spanning roughly 2.5 miles and described by the city as a great place for joggers, bicyclists, and sunbathers. However, members of Harbor-Alki Neighbors likened living along the beach to scenes from the movie Mad Max and said they no longer feel safe.
The Mad Max movies saw a 'road warrior' played by Mel Gibson fight off evil gangs on bikes and cars while being chased through post-apocalyptic Australia. Younger audiences may be more familiar with the 2015 remake starring Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron.
Residents Report Bullet Holes and Inadequate Police Response
Residents living along Alki Avenue Southwest and Harbor Ave Southwest claim gunshots have left homes and cars with bullet holes. Since the start of this year, at least two shootings have happened in the area. According to KOMO, this year the area has already experienced two shootings.
Alki Avenue Southwest runs parallel to the park before turning East into Harbor Ave. Locals said another issue is drivers racing down the waterfront road. Residents told the outlet that police response times are inadequate.
'I can think of two instances in the last 10-day period where 911 was called, and there was no response,' said Pumphrey. He claimed that the cops never arrest anyone, alleging that this leaves criminals to run free without any accountability.
City Efforts to Address Concerns
The city has made efforts to increase visibility at night by installing more lights on Alki Ave after a string of break-ins to businesses. Additionally, the Seattle Police Department is working to address locals' concerns. The Seattle Police Department clashed with partygoers in 2021 at Alki Beach, with the party turning into a riot as people climbed on top of police vehicles. The incident began after a TikTok went viral inviting people to party at the beach.
'We know we cannot do it alone and are working closely with community members and city stakeholders to keep your city safe,' the department said in a statement. 'Keep an eye out for messaging from SPD regarding summer safety at nearby parks, including Alki Beach and the surrounding area.'
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) told the outlet in an email that they are preparing for increased seasonal use and addressing residents' concerns. SPR added that they plan to expand trash and recycling services, increase restroom capacity, and increase staff presence to support operations along the beach. The Daily Mail has reached out to the Seattle Police Department and Seattle Parks and Recreation for comment.
