"Don't get shot."
A month ago I went through a round of soul searching after a woman was shot in a drive-by just steps away from our front door. She lived in my building. Her name is Nicole Westbrook, and I walk by her memorial at least two times each day. The spot is marked with traffic cones and purple ribbons. There are flowers, candles, notes, photographs, and a bible. Nicole's death has been a topic of conversation with a few close friends and nearly all of my coworkers (as this happened two blocks from work). I experienced a lot of, "Oh Lori, you knew what you were getting into by moving to Pioneer Square." With the friendlier, "Be Safe." And my ex-boyfriend Todd still ends every phone conversation with, "Don't get shot."
I assured everyone that I am always home before the bars close at 2 a.m. Reading articles on local crime over the years I concluded that from 1:45 to 2:30 was not a good time to be out and about. Even in a car one could get smashed up by a drunk driver.
In the last week I now share this burden of random shootings with my friends and coworkers that live in the Central District, Brighton, Beacon Hill, Lower Queen Anne, downtown by City Hall, and Roosevelt/U District. All but the South Seattle ones happened during the day - the latest at 7 p.m. (still broad daylight this time of year).
There is no one problem, and there is no one solution. Ok, they do share the problem of a nutzoid with a gun. Nicole's murderer(s) has not been found. To my knowledge only the Folklife shooter has been apprehended.
And before all this how many news stories were about children shooting children with guns they got from their family?
I don't know how to end this post. I was going to say "Don't get shot" but I refuse to blame the victims. So, please don't shoot people. If you see someone being shot then please report it as a witness. If you hear a gun owner making threats to shoot someone, then please tell the police. If you can't bring yourself to to any of this, then call me and I'll do it for you. (206) 307-7389
I assured everyone that I am always home before the bars close at 2 a.m. Reading articles on local crime over the years I concluded that from 1:45 to 2:30 was not a good time to be out and about. Even in a car one could get smashed up by a drunk driver.
In the last week I now share this burden of random shootings with my friends and coworkers that live in the Central District, Brighton, Beacon Hill, Lower Queen Anne, downtown by City Hall, and Roosevelt/U District. All but the South Seattle ones happened during the day - the latest at 7 p.m. (still broad daylight this time of year).
There is no one problem, and there is no one solution. Ok, they do share the problem of a nutzoid with a gun. Nicole's murderer(s) has not been found. To my knowledge only the Folklife shooter has been apprehended.
And before all this how many news stories were about children shooting children with guns they got from their family?
I don't know how to end this post. I was going to say "Don't get shot" but I refuse to blame the victims. So, please don't shoot people. If you see someone being shot then please report it as a witness. If you hear a gun owner making threats to shoot someone, then please tell the police. If you can't bring yourself to to any of this, then call me and I'll do it for you. (206) 307-7389