District 5: Mt. Baker Middle School Feedback

Issues:

• Safety of children walking to and from school
• Children feel unsafe walking home due to homelessness and lack of supervision
• Children witnessing or hearing about crimes they shouldn’t
• Increase in gang activity and violence near schools, leading to school lockdowns and trauma
• Unhoused individuals using drugs and lacking support, especially around schools and parks
• Youth lack supervision, and parents aren't held accountable
• People living in vehicles off B St.
• Gun violence, hearing gunshots at night
• Car prowling, property crimes, stolen cars, bike theft, and retail crime
• Increase in low-grade violations (loud car mufflers, expired tabs)
• Speeding on major streets like A St., M St., and near crosswalks
• Safeway and other areas (like parks) feel unsafe due to loitering, drug activity, and lack of lighting
• People knocking on doors late at night, causing unease
• Lack of accountability and follow-up for crime
• School fights, lack of discipline for fighting, vaping in bathrooms
• Bullying towards LGBTQ+ residents
• Youth afraid to report incidents due to fear of retaliation
• Suspicious activity and fighting at parks, especially at night
• Issues with pedestrian safety in crosswalks
• Lack of police presence and community connection
• Homelessness contributing to public safety issues

Solutions:

• Share positive safety measures and success stories through city websites and news
• Increase "clean sweep" events to improve public spaces
• Positive messaging and more gratitude around the city
• More involvement with youth—listening to their safety concerns
• Host more community meetings and create YouTube content that highlights good in the community
• More accurate and accessible communication about issues, including school lockdowns
• Enhance police presence, especially in schools, with better relationships with the community
• Hold parents accountable for juvenile crimes and enforce consequences for all violators
• Establish neighborhood watch programs and community response sessions
• Increase crosswalks, lighted paths, and emergency stations in parks
• Add speed bumps, roundabouts, and speed cameras to manage traffic and improve safety
• Ensure security measures in schools, including ID checks and security cameras
• Improve lighting in neighborhoods, parks, and pedestrian areas
• Develop prevention strategies, education resources, and deterrent programs
• Increase police and security presence where needed, especially at schools and events