Amazon is temporarily relocating workers out of a downtown Seattle office due to ongoing violent crimes.
According to a statement emailed by the tech giant to Bloomberg“Given the recent incidents near Third and Pine, we are providing employees currently at this location with alternate offices elsewhere. We hope conditions improve and that we can bring employees back to this location when it is safe to do- the.”
About 1,800 Amazon employees are assigned to the office at 300 Pine St. in the heart of downtown, above the city’s flagship store, Macy’s. Many employees are still working remotely due to the pandemic, but have started to return to work several days a week.
ADDING INSULT TO INJURY: For those who don’t believe how bad this is or dismiss the plight of business owners like Olga Sagan at Piroshky Piroshky, please come down and try to run a legit business under conditions like these. Downtown Seattle is toast if this continues. @komonews pic.twitter.com/OkJ7wXNSb2
— Jonathan Choe KOMO News Reporter (@choeshow) February 28, 2022
In recent years, the area has seen an increase in outdoor drug use, stolen property fences, shootings, carjackings, and other violent crimes. Since February 21, there have been three shootings, two stabbings and one carjacking, leading to increased business closures in the area.
Put the streets overrun with crime – we can’t run @PiroshkyBakery safely pic.twitter.com/edAaIcpwlS
— Olga Sagan (@olgasagan1) February 28, 2022
Earlier this month, Piroshky Piroshky owner Olga Sagan said Ari Hoffman’s show on Talk Radio 570 KVI they closed their location near 3rd Avenue and Pike Street because the area is no longer safe for its employees.
MCDONALD’S FLAGSHIP IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE CLOSED: Unclear for how long. #SeattleProblems #Crime #Medications #shots pic.twitter.com/Tt7o71rdgh
— Jonathan Choe KOMO News Reporter (@choeshow) February 28, 2022
Downtown Seattle’s flagship McDonald’s also closed without notice the day after Piroshky Piroshky closed, saying it could not guarantee the safety of its employees and customers.
… We continue to support the local police department in their investigation of the ongoing violence in our neighborhood, and we will reopen the restaurant when we believe it is safe to do so. – David Santillanes, owner/operator of McDonald’s#Seattle #Crime #Police
— Jonathan Choe KOMO News Reporter (@choeshow) March 1, 2022
Mayor Bruce Harrell’s office sent a statement to KOMO News regarding Amazon’s announcement of the relocation of employees who said: “Mayor Harrell works every day to make downtown a safe and thriving neighborhood for residents, workers and businesses. Although it will take time To reverse long-standing safety issues, Mayor Harrell’s early efforts are essential first steps to tackle crime and improve safety through dedicated SPD officers, a mobile SPD constituency and additional environmental changes Mayor Harrell will continue to develop a comprehensive approach to public safety in collaboration with police and safety advocates, community members, service providers and businesses, including Amazon, to activate, revitalize and restore downtown for all. “
Harrell last week announced patrols focusing on crime ‘hotspots’, including 3rd and Pike while touting multiple arrests at age 12and and Jackson the previous week, another notorious intersection for crime. However, even before the presser, nearly half of those arrested were released due to Seattle’s revolving door justice system.
It’s another blow to Amazon’s footprint in Seattle. In 2019, the tech giant announced that thousands of employees would be moved from Seattle to nearby Bellevue, Washingtonand the opening of other sites across the United States.