Last Updated on February 17, 2022
According to a report, 911 calls for several types of violent crimes have more than tripled from the Seattle Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, now known as CHAZ, after the Seattle Mayor told President Trump that it would be “illegal” to clear out the area with military force.
Since the formation of the ostensibly lawless zone commanded by a Warlord Raz Simone, sexual assault, robberies, and violent crime reports have more than tripled since the police vacated the area amid the George Floyd riots in an attempt to ease tensions.
In a clip, speaking with KOMO News, Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best said, “Our calls for service have more than tripled. These are responses to emergency calls: rapes, robberies, and all sorts of violent acts have been occurring in the area that we’re not able to get to.”
“So, it is not a right for us to not be able to deploy our officers here–we owe that service to everybody,” she added.
The Seattle “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone” is described by @MayorJenny as “peaceful.” This morning, police chief @carmenbest said that 911 calls from the area relating to assault, robbery & sex crimes have more than tripled. #antifa #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/X1jIryHrvd
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) June 12, 2020
Seattle Police Chief: "Rapes, robberies and all sorts of violent acts have been occurring in the area and we're not able to get to [them]." #capitolhillautonomouszone #antifa #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/Oe5YfVz3uL
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) June 12, 2020
The new autonomous zone has gripped headlines across the country.
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan told President Trump that it would be “illegal” and “unconstitutional” to send in the military to clear out the area to restore order, after having described the zone as “peaceful” despite the report of skyrocketing crime rates.
In a tweet, Mayor Durkan wrote, “I also want to be clear as I have stated publicly previously – it is unconstitutional and illegal to send the military to Seattle. We will not allow this to happen.”
I also want to be clear as I have stated publicly previously – it is unconstitutional and illegal to send the military to Seattle. We will not allow this to happen.
— Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) June 11, 2020
The lawless autonomous zone was occupied as the local precinct was evacuated, Chief Best said that it was not her decision to leave the area.
“You fought for days to protect it, I asked you to stand on that line day in and day out to be pelted with projectiles, to be screamed at, threatened and in some cases hurt,” she said.
National File will continue reporting on the ongoing developments surrounding CHAZ as the tiny nation continues to grapple with basic tenants of civilized society.
