Seattle Business Owners Report Ongoing Crime Issues

Despite a city-led initiative, residents say conditions at 12th Avenue and South Jackson Street remain problematic.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a geometric street lamp casting a deep red light onto a dark, rain-slicked urban intersection. — Seattle business owners report that crime and public safety issues persist in the Little Saigon neighborhood despite a recent city-led intervention initiative. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you trust your local government to effectively address persistent safety issues in your area?

Business owners in Seattle’s Little Saigon neighborhood report that crime and safety issues persist near 12th Avenue and South Jackson Street. This comes despite a city initiative launched earlier this year to combat illegal activity in the area.

Why it matters

The initiative was intended to disrupt drug dealing and public disorder through targeted outreach and increased police presence. However, local feedback suggests these measures have yet to deliver the intended relief for the area's struggling businesses.

The city deployed $1.1 million in funding for neighborhood outreach and mobile overdose treatment teams. This investment follows the June 2026 launch of a safety initiative that remains under investigation regarding its measurable impact on arrests.

The players

Katie Wilson

Katie Wilson is the current Mayor of Seattle who initiated the city-wide effort to address safety in the Little Saigon district.

Oscar Xu

Oscar Xu is a 28-year-old business owner who recently opened a delivery-only restaurant at the site of a former eatery.

The details

City leadership implemented a strategy involving increased police patrols and the option for individuals to choose diversion programs over jail. While new businesses like Oscar Xu's restaurant have recently opened, owners continue to describe the intersection as unsafe.

June 2026: Mayor Wilson launched the neighborhood safety initiative.
October 2026: Oscar Xu opened Sweet Intentions Eatery.
October 2026: Business owners reported that local conditions have not improved.

Market Landscape

This situation follows the pattern set by the Seattle Little Saigon neighborhood safety initiative regarding the efficacy of city-led diversion programs. The ongoing instability highlights the challenges of balancing new business investment with persistent public safety concerns in commercial corridors.

Local shoppers and restaurant patrons may continue to face disrupted access to services due to the ongoing safety concerns at the intersection. Business owners in the area are managing these challenges while the city maintains its current operational approach.

The takeaway

The gap between city funding and local experiences underscores the difficulty of addressing complex public safety issues in urban business districts. Residents and business owners are currently left without verified data to gauge whether these specific police and outreach efforts are effective.