The recent muggings at Green Lake have received a fair amount attention in the broader media.  It’s especially interesting to check out the comments on some of these articles.  See, for example, The Seattle Times article, “Green Lake Robberes Park of a Pattern?“:

Maybe SPD can finally talk some sense into the Parks Department? As far as I know, Green Lake is this city’s only 24-hour park, and yet once night falls most of the trail is lit only by streetlights 50′ away, and the area next to the golf course is pitch black.   People should always use caution at night, but it is absurd that the only park open at night is less well-lit than the streets which surround it.  — RajIndia

At last an admission that robberies have increased! But back to the point, don’t give up Green Lake to a few antisocial criminals. It’s too much of a Seattle gem to give it up. This isn’t MacArthur Park in L.A. were talking about here, this is not Chicago. We are not weighted down with the long standing apathy of the east coast.   These guys will be caught and don’t stop going to enjoy your park. I often use the alleys in the U District because I WILL NOT give them over to only criminals. Everyone of us that uses them makes them safer. — iceage22

Couldn’t agree more with you RajInda. As a night shift worker I have always enjoyed jogging the lake at night. As a guy I suppose I don’t have to worry as much as a woman. But I will say that the last year or two has really changed it. There is a constant smell of human waste in several areas and very rarely do i make it around without out hearing some vulgar scream. That along with a few questionable people just standing in the shadows. Makes me not want to go anymore. Then I look at the streets along with all the lights left on in downtown buildings and wonder what is wrong with this picture? We could make a beautiful park safe by turning on the lights around it. But it isn’t in the budget, but i could read a book on any downtown street at night its so lit up! — Scoutem

It is about time the police investigated robberies. These guys did absolutely nothing when I got robbed last year. We have tons of crime in seattle – murders, robberies, rapes, domestic violence and assaults which go ignored, unsolved and unprosecuted but every morning you can find half a dozen cops on 99/Aurora giving out tickets for people going 5 miles over the speed limit (and no I did not get a ticket myself) The police chief has his priorities all wrong. We need a reduction in serious crime not traffic violations — justmyopinion2

I’m waiting for the individuals to confront me, I will shoot them in the leg and watch them squirm. I am actually searching for these guys and so are many of my friends. I want our parks to be safe and I am patrolling the parks in the evenings (as Seattle police should be doing) and I am hunting these bastards down.  — poundingsurf

If they rob me.. I will give them my wallet… and as they walk away.. I will shoot them until they die… I carry a weapon legally, with permit and will protect my self with it… so, beware, scum of the earth.. your time is coming. — tsgt

Last Fall my neighbor was at Greenlake at about 5 pm and a guy had his black lab chasing the ducks and a couple yelled at him that it was illegal.. She turned back to see what was happening and had her iphone and took a picture of the lake the guy and the dog. The guy ran after her, tried to get her phone, took her sunglasses and hat and ran off with them.and threw them in the garbage then charged her a second time but other people yelled.. She went up the slope to the street and he came around the trees and again chased her.. Finally he ran down the street and as she was calling 911 he saw her and leaped out of his car and chased her through traffic near the west of the old albertsons. People in cars stopped to help but the police didn’t come for 12 minutes despite repeated and numerous calls. There were multiple witnesses and they had his liscence so the police were able to go to the guys house. He was just upset since he thought she was going to get him in trouble for letting his DOG swim in the lake!!. but nothing else ever happened. no charges nothing. So apparently robbery and assault are okay if your walking your dog. — Sustainable

[Seattle Times]

Pretty intense.  Your thoughts?