SEATTLE — Beacon Hill residents are concerned about safety at one of the neighborhood's oldest community spaces, Dr. Jose Rizal Park.
Residents gathered on Saturday for a public safety meeting, nearly a month after vandals made off with bronze plaques on the park's monument.
"A park where everybody can enjoy where people can look out at the view, without having to look over their shoulders," said Tess Guerzon.
But instead, Dr. Jose Rizal Park's view, located on Beacon Hill, is clouded. It's considered by some in the neighborhood as a place you should avoid.
"It makes me very sad because we can't enjoy the park. It's a public park but people are scared to go there," said Guerzon.
We spoke with her last month about vandals stealing a time capsule and six bronze plaques all while damaging the park's monument dedicated to Dr. Rizal. The park honors a man Guerzon credits with inspiring the Filipino people to gain independence from Spanish rule in the early 1900s.
"We just want to have a voice in the community," said Guerzon.
So, Guerzon and other community members held a public safety meeting Saturday afternoon at the Beacon Hill Library to come together to share their safety concerns about the park.
"Increased gang activity at night, there's a lot of drugs going on, there's a lot of loud music and of course ongoing homeless. It's scaring a lot of people in the community," said Guerzon.
This small but passionate group of about 15 people hopes there will be more lighting, and gates added to the park's parking lot. But they're also hoping more officers will monitor the park.
"We need more police presence, and we need more police in Seattle," said Guerzon.
Guerzon said city officials told her they're planning on replacing the stolen plaques. She also plans on sending this group's concerns to city leaders. Hoping it'll make a difference.
"It's just a big issue. We need to make it safe again. Make Seattle safe again," said Guerzon.