Police to increase patrols near Pike Place Market after weekend shootings

Seattle police will increase patrols near Pike Place Market after a shooting Sunday that left three men hospitalized and pedestrians scrambling for cover.

Police were initially dispatched to a report of two people fighting in the 2000 block of Western Avenue, near Victor Steinbrueck Park. When they arrived witnesses directed them toward the shooting victims lying on the sidewalk, according to a police report.

No arrests have been made.

Witnesses said the gunman fled in a dark blue Honda Civic. Police said the victims, whose injuries weren't serious, haven't been cooperative with their attempts to find the gunman.

With its sweeping views of the Puget Sound and its proximity to Pike Place Market, the waterfront and downtown shopping, Victor Steinbrueck Park has long been a destination for tourists and locals alike — especially on a hot summer day.

But, police say, the 40-year-old park has long been plagued by crime.

Seattle police and state Department of Corrections neighborhood corrections initiative officers said they are often at the park investigating public drinking, and drug use and sales.

Seattle police Lt. Jim Fitzgerald said the department has been spent much of the past 11 months focusing on the area of First to Fifth avenues and Stewart to Union streets as part of a nearly $1 million initiative, the problems that once plagued downtown may have been pushed toward Pike Place Market and Victor Steinbrueck Park. Fitzgerald said that bicycle officers patrol Victor Steinbrueck Park as part of their 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily shifts. But, Fitzgerald adds, the bike officers' hours are known by "the bad guys," which is why they have had a problem with crime breaking out after the officers leave for the day.

Fitzgerald said the bike team is often out of the park by 6 p.m., in order to get back to the precinct and wrap up any loose ends. The fight was called in Sunday at 6:05 p.m.

Fitzgerald said today that he is shuffling different officers to make sure that the park, and area around Pike Place Market, are better monitored in the evenings.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com