SEATTLE — Teens in Ballard have been the target of recent muggings and now police are asking the public for information as the schools and school district are working to protect students.
On Friday, the Seattle Police Department confirmed a series of robberies that are targeting teens near both Ballard High School and Whitman Middle School.
A Ballard High School senior said his friend was mugged on Thursday, Oct. 19, an incident confirmed by Seattle police.
“This is the worst I’ve ever seen it. It’s happening in broad daylight," the senior said. “He looked down at his phone and by the time he looked up, he was surrounded by five guys and eventually these guys told him ‘sit on the ground.' They made him reset their phone, tell them their password and they took their AirPods, phones.”
Police suspect a group of as many as six people, believed to be teenagers wearing ski masks or hoodies, have robbed several people of electronics and personal belongings.
“The suspects appear to be in their teens, but this has not yet been confirmed. Some of the teenage victims in these incidents observed a firearm while being robbed of their phone and or personal belongings,” a police spokesperson wrote in an email to KING 5.
Seattle police said the suspects involved were possibly driving a red Kia, gray Hyundai or a sedan of similar color.
In a letter addressed to parents, Ballard High School Principal Abby Hunt said she is “working closely with regional school leaders and the district’s Safety and Security team on best practices in keeping our campuses safe.”
Meanwhile, parents spreading the word among their own community. A post circulating on social media urges parents to contact the school board and city council to demand action from the Seattle Police Department. The department said it will be stepping up patrols “when staffing allows.”
In the meantime, the Ballard senior said he is focus is now on making sure his sister makes it home safe every day.
“Yeah, [walking in] pairs, groups, just pretty much all we can do," he said. "We can’t carry anything to protect ourselves on campus."
