A McDonald's in downtown Seattle has permanently closed its indoor dining area and replaced it with a makeshift takeout window after a series of violent incidents, including stabbings, drug use, and a fatal shooting. The restaurant, located at the corner of 3rd Avenue and Pine Street, initially shut its dining room in 2020 due to Covid-19 but has kept it closed to protect staff from crime in the area, known locally as 'The Blade'.
Owner David Santillanes confirmed the measures, stating, 'We have implemented security measures at this location to allow us to keep supporting the neighbourhood, while ensuring the safety of our people.' The restaurant's doors are now covered in plywood, with a small hatch for customers to order and collect food through a plexiglass barrier.
Local resident Nick, who previously used drugs in the area, described witnessing a shooting in January 2020 that killed a woman and injured seven others, including a child. 'I watched a girl get shot and killed right here,' he told the Daily Mail. Another employee reported seeing 'physical assaults' outside the restaurant, and a Seattle police officer noted three stabbings in front of the McDonald's since the start of the year. The outlet has been nicknamed 'McStabby's' by locals.
Seattle has seen high levels of violent crime, with 3,145 aggravated assaults, nearly 1,440 robberies, and about 30 murders last year. So far this year, there have been 80 violent crimes, including around 50 aggravated assaults. The Seattle Police Department said it patrols the area 24/7, conducting proactive police work in crime hotspots like 3rd Avenue and Pine Street.
Santillanes, who has owned McDonald's franchises in Seattle for 24 years, emphasised his commitment to the community. During the grand opening of another location, his team donated $25,000 to Mary's Place, a nonprofit supporting unhoused mothers and children. Washington state has the third-highest homeless population in the US, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
