Local

Seattle business vandalized, worries about downtown crime

SEATTLE — Patients headed to 4th and Seneca Dental are going to be greeted by a temporary door after a vandal destroyed its front entrance.

Surveillance video captures a person walking over and kicking it in before walking off.

“Downtown has been not so great since a while actually,” says Dr. Jonathan Vo, owner of 4th and Seneca Dental.

Throughout downtown, many businesses have fallen victim to dangerous acts of vandalism and other crimes.

Just this Wednesday, another shooting in Pioneer Square sparked a police investigation.

The closed roads and police tape have become an all-too-familiar sight as a 21-year-old man was rushed to the hospital after being shot multiple times.

Police have already recovered two handguns from the scene as they continue their search for the shooter.

Despite the crime, Dr. Vo says there is plenty of good happening downtown.

While other businesses may choose to leave, he plans to stay.

”I want downtown to thrive,” he says. “I live and work here. My business is here. I’m really invested into this city.”

But he’s worried the increased crime is a trend that is only going to continue.

”What’s going to happen in the next few years,” asks Dr. Vo. “Is this going to get worse? It does worry me.”

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