Video: Redeveloped neighborhood tries to keep crime away
SEATTLE - Criminals went on a spree yesterday in one of the area's premiere rejuvenated communities.
Two suspects are in custody, but neighbors in the New Holly neighborhood, near Beacon Hill, say this is far from what they bargained for when they moved in.
Fatuma Ahmed describes witnessing a man and teenage boy on a rampage. According to police, the armed men invaded a home and threatened the residents. As they fled, they reportedly robbed two more victims.
Police dogs helped track down the suspects, even biting one of them.
Even before now, New Holly residents proactively worked hard to keep their community safe.
"We were cleaning up the graffiti because were realized there was gangs around, and we wanted to make sure to get rid of any of their tagging," Rene Williams said.
The neighborhood wants to avoid a return to its past. New Holly is the redevelopment name for the old Holly Park public housing project. In the 1990s, a federal grant helped tear down the old run down buildings, and instead build a new community of about 1,400 residences - a mix of low-income rentals and privately owned middle class homes.
"For the first couple of years, it was kind of good," said Abdifitah Mohamed. "It was a good place."
Police say this year's crime statistics are not yet available. But New Holly residents know what they've been witnessing and how its making them feel.
"If it turns out this bad, it's not a good place to raise kids," Mohamed said.
Police arrested one adult and one juvenile. The adult is being investigated for four felonies.
