DF 7: Sample Student Persuasive Essays

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Student Name

Research Essay

ENGL&102

3rd Avenue and Pine

Each morning I begin my trip to work from Renton to Downtown Seattle by taking the

Tukwila International Boulevard Light Rail to Westlake Station. I get to enjoy the morning

darkness as I stroll the quiet 6th Avenue streets, watching businesses flick their lights on to soon

bring in the customers. My morning is typical and unexciting, unless I forget my breakfast. In

that case, I’ll make my way to 3rd Avenue and Pine. Here, a popular McDonald’s sits. I don’t

particularly enjoy the food, but it’s open at six in the morning and on the way to work.

Interestingly, there seems to be a dramatic shift in mood once I’ve grabbed my breakfast and

begin to walk the streets of 3rd Avenue. Policemen are often parked and waiting, some people

are curled up in alcoves trying to sleep on the cold pavement, others are seen injecting

themselves with needles, and it’s not uncommon that I’m asked for spare change. While we’ve

all seen these things before throughout Downtown Seattle, what about the surrounding blocks

make this area such a hot spot? The atmosphere is similar on the weekends, as I frequently make

my way from Westlake Station to Pike Place Market to view the shops with my girlfriend. At

times, we’ll opt to take a detour as it’s sometimes easier to avoid the loud yells of a wobbling

homeless person high on a powerfully addictive drug. I truly don’t mean any disrespect to those

stuck in an awful situation, but we need to make the blocks of 3rd Avenue feel safer for everyone

in Seattle.

The effects of crime on 3rd Avenue aren’t specific to those who must walk through the

area, it has an effect on local businesses too. Bartell Drugs, a well-known pharmacy chain to

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many in Washington will be closing one of its locations’ doors before the end of their lease

because of the high cost of crime. KOMO News’ Tammy Mutasa reports “Police have stepped

up patrols in the downtown core in recent months to address crime, but Bartell Drugs decided not

to stick it out” (Par. 2). The article describes the crime as “senseless” as a video of security

camera footage shows a man destroying the store shelves and throwing items for seemingly no

reason at all. If a chain of stores, while not the largest at sixty-four total locations, can’t survive

the crime, what’s the likelihood that a small local business that many people desire will come up

in its place? Losing a business at that location destroys jobs, creates less taxes paid by those that

may have never shopped at all without the presence of Bartell Drugs, and makes it harder for the

owner of the building to pay their property taxes with no tenant. Dereck Rich, interviewed in

Mutasa’s article comments, “I’m like a decent sized guy and even I feel worried sometimes”

(Par. 6).

Further, some of my co-workers, particularly those that get off late at night, prefer to take

alternate transit to avoid the area. 3rd Avenue, being a couple blocks away from the company I

work for, is often the topic of workplace chatter as most of us get the opportunity to pass by on

our commute. It’s not uncommon that we’re in awe of having just missed some sort of deadly

altercation we may have accidentally become involved in. Just months ago, Asia Fields at The

Seattle Times reported, “A 31-year-old man was taken to Harborview Medical Center after being

stabbed in downtown Seattle on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Seattle Fire Department”

(Par. 1). This incident took place at the McDonald’s I frequent just half an hour after I typically

leave work.

Not only do the locals and local businesses have opinions on 3rd Avenue, but the crime

may have an impact on tourism as well. Graham Johnson of KIRO 7 writes of a tourist that had

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attempted to visit the Space Needle, only to be attacked by a homeless person that had come

from tent on 3rd Avenue. The thought of spending your time and money to visit a city you’ve

long since admired all to be struck in the head by someone you’ve never met sounds terrifying.

It’s awful that an individual would have to waste their valuable time dealing with having to file a

police report during their vacation. One can only hope that these events don’t cause tourism to

drop and cause any potential budget cuts for the city. Graham writes of the officer involved, “In

the police report for the tourist assault, an officer wrote that the area around the encampment on

Third Avenue has high drug use and criminal activity” (Par. 16).

Various articles, locals, and personal experience can certainly create some validity when

forming the opinion that Third Avenue, or even Seattle as a whole, is slowly crumbling. KOMO

News returns to that idea after having produced their hour-long TV special “Seattle Is Dying.”

The issue is in the name. The special dives into homelessness, crime, and drug use, but not

everyone agrees that the city is an as bad of shape as KOMO News makes it out to be. Gene

Balk, a Seattle Times columnist, asks, “Is Seattle a city in its final throes of life?” (Par. 1). Balk

speaks with Former Seattle Police Chief John Diaz as well as provides actual data to back up his

argument. The article provides reported crimes per 100,000 residents for violent and property

crime, with violent crime dropping from a peak of nearly 1,500 in the nineties to 633 in 2017.

Property crime, on the other hand, also saw a dramatic drop from around 12,000 in the nineties to

5,259 in 2017. Balk comments, “I can’t help but wonder if folks are romanticizing Seattle’s past

a bit” (Par. 5), and it’s difficult to argue with his data. I believe it’s important to take into account

Balk’s findings and not necessarily form such a strong opinion over 3rd Avenue or Seattle as a

whole until fully understanding the situation, but let that not blind you from the problems that

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exist in front of you today. We can always strive to have more of an impact to those in need. Let

us ask the question, what is it about 3rd Avenue that makes it such a hot spot?

First, let’s look at what about the corner of 3rd Avenue and Pine that may be attracting

individuals in unfortunate circumstances. Perhaps the high tourist traffic is beneficial to

potentially receiving some desperately needed money? The Visit Seattle website states Seattle

had 40 million tourists visit in 2018. That’s a lot of potential people walking from Westlake to

Pike Place Market. The cheap food at McDonald’s may have a small role to play in the

contribution of nearby homeless. A few dollars can go a long way for a hot meal. Additionally,

the tobacco store across the street could potentially play a role as the Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention government website explains smoking remains high among the lower educated,

those below the poverty level, and the uninsured. These are all struggling groups that may

include the homeless. Another business that may have an effect could be the MoneyTree just a

few hundred feet nearby. Pew Charitable Trusts, self-described as evidence-based and

nonpartisan, reports that their research shows 72 percent of payday loan borrowers have a

household income of less than $40,000. While it would be unrealistic to ask all of these

businesses to spread out to lessen the likelihood that a local or tourist be frightened, or in the

unlikely event be harmed, having a better understanding of the possible contributions to

homelessness and crime in the area may better help to solve the issue. The issue of not only the

safety of tourists and locals, but the safety of the individuals that personally deal with having to

be homeless.

The Seattle government website provides information regarding what is causing the

homelessness crisis with their article titled, “The Roots of the Crisis.” At the top of the list, the

article cites mental health and addiction as the leading cause of death for the homeless.

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Fortunately, there appears to be some awareness regarding why this problem exists as a portion

of the paragraph reads, “...our region’s lack of treatment capacity leaves more than 150 people

on a waitlist each day” (Par. 2). Other causes include poverty, unaffordable housing, racial

disparities, and the lack of services for youth. The Seattle government being aware of situations

that create homelessness is an incredible first step in not only improving the blocks along 3rd

Avenue but improving Seattle as a whole.

While being aware of a problem’s existence is crucial to solving that problem, it’s clear

just knowing isn’t enough here. Why, if Seattle sees and understands the issue, isn’t it solved?

Marc Stiles and Coral Garnick of Puget Sound Business Journal dive into the issue with an

extensive journal written on how the Seattle area spends one billion dollars a year on

homelessness. The piece begins with an incredibly heartbreaking reason an interviewee is

homeless, “This is the third time Elliot Godwin has been homeless. Each time it has been for the

same reason: The rent went up and his paycheck did not” (Par. 1). Stiles and Garnick continue to

interview people that are homeless throughout the journal while breaking down where each

dollar is spent on homelessness, and interestingly find, according to Plymouth Housing Group,

“It would cost $192 million per year to house and care for all the people experiencing

homelessness in King County…” (Par. 14). Well then where is the rest going? Throughout the

journal, it’s mentioned multiple times that the resources aren’t the issue, it’s the communication.

The coordination between groups and the government is one of the largest issues. Seattle’s “The

Roots of the Crisis” cites the same issue, “The lack of coordination among governments and

other stakeholders has limited the effectiveness of those investments” (Par. 7). So, how can we,

as individuals, make a dent into solving the homeless problem if the cause feels so out of our

control?

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As a member of the Seattle community, it’s easier than one may think to express concern

over 3rd Avenue. Making it known that this specific area poses a safety risk to both locals and

tourists as well as those suffering in the streets is the first step in solving this major community

issue. Countless articles already present that fact but talking about it one thing - taking action is

another. The Seattle government website makes it easy to identify the elected officials that pride

themselves in caring for the people of Seattle. Our mayor, councilmembers, attorney, and judges

are listed along with their goals and accomplishments. Most importantly, each person has easily

accessible phone numbers, email, and mailing addresses making it easy to give your opinion on

the urgency that is 3rd Avenue and Pine and the proceeding blocks. Sally Bagshaw for example,

our District 7 representative, lives downtown and is more than likely familiar with the area. Her

firsthand knowledge as well as a push from the community to help the area may have the

significant impact we need. In fact, on December 5th, a meeting will be held to select a

committee for homelessness and housing affordability. With this fresh in our councilmember’s

minds, there is no better time than now to reach out to them.

If one wishes to have a more direct impact, one where you can see and feel the changes

you're making, United Way of King County (UWKC) provides extensive opportunities to those

interested. UWKC is one of many volunteer organizations in Seattle, but their website provides

an easy to use search tool that allows you to narrow down the topic and area you'd like to help. In

this case, homelessness in downtown Seattle. Once you've located an opportunity that may

interest you, the UWKC website even provides a map showing the location of the effort. Then,

one can focus their energy on improving areas in need such as 3rd Avenue and Pine. The

individuals there suffering from homelessness, mental illness, or addiction may now receive the

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assistance they needed to get through another night in the cold or, even, finally attain the housing

they so desperately need.

Admittedly, it's difficult for us as individuals to make a significant difference, but the

more eyes and ears there are on an issue the better. With more of us writing about, speaking

about, and directly helping the issue on 3rd Avenue, there may be a greater likelihood that our

representatives see the efforts that we've put in and take a higher level of action such as

providing additional treatment facilities, more affordable housing, and create better coordination

between governments.

Together, we can successfully change 3rd Avenue for the better. No longer will tourists

fear our beautiful streets as they and their children walk to their destination. No more will you,

your friends, and coworkers be wary as you wait for transit. New and old businesses won’t have

to reconsider their location because of potential theft and property damage. And most

importantly, the individuals sleeping in the streets may finally get the help they need. This isn’t a

case of ridding the streets of thugs and crime, this is about safety for all and rehabilitation for

those in need.

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Works Cited

Balk, Gene. "Is Seattle ‘dying’? Crime Rates Tell a Different Story." The Seattle Times, 4 Apr.

2019, www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/data/is-seattle-dying-not-if-you-look-crime-

rates-from-the-80s-and-90s/.

Beckett, Katherine, et al. "Drug Use, Drug Possession Arrests, and the Question of Race:

Lessons from Seattle." Society for the Study of Social Problems, 2005,

pdfs.semanticscholar.org/1d00/d44fe118d2727ce127acd966d2e321293770.pdf.

Bourke, Nick, et al. The Pew Charitable Trusts | The Pew Charitable Trusts, 2012,

www.pewtrusts.org/~/media/legacy/uploadedfiles/pcs_assets/2012/pewpaydaylendingre

portpdf.pdf.

"Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults in the United States." Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention, 17 May 2019,

www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/adult_data/cig_smoking/index.htm.

Fields, Asia. "Man Stabbed in Downtown Seattle Taken to Harborview." The Seattle Times, 15

Oct. 2019, www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/crime/man-stabbed-in-downtown-seattle-

in-serious-condition/.

Government, Seattle. "The Roots of the Crisis - Homelessness | Seattle.gov." Seattle.gov,

www.seattle.gov/homelessness/the-roots-of-the-crisis.

Horcher, Gary. "KIRO 7 Investigation: Pike-Pine Downtown Corridor a 'magnet' for Career

Criminals." KIRO, 5 July 2018, www.kiro7.com/news/local/kiro-7-investigation-pike-

pine-downtown-corridor-a-magnet-for-career-criminals/783884267.

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Johnson, Graham. "Downtown Seattle Tourist Says He Was Attacked by Homeless Man."

KIRO, 19 June 2018, www.kiro7.com/news/local/downtown-seattle-tourist-says-he-was-

attacked-by-homeless-man/770381032.

Johnsons, Eric. "KOMO News Special: Seattle is Dying." KOMO, 14 Mar. 2019,

komonews.com/news/local/komo-news-special-seattle-is-dying.

Mutasa, Tammy. "Bartell Drugs Closing in Downtown Seattle over Crime Concerns." KOMO

News, 21 Sept. 2019, komonews.com/news/local/bartell-drugs-closing-in-downtown-

seattle-over-crime-concerns.

Robinson, Kauilani, and Chantelle Lusebrink. "Seattle Celebrates Record-Breaking Tourism

Season with More Than 40 Million Visitors in 2018." Visit Seattle, 4 Mar. 2019,

visitseattle.org/press/press-releases/seattle-celebrates-record-breaking-tourism-season-

with-more-than-40-million-visitors-in-2018/.

Styles, Marc, and Coral Garnick. "The Price of Homelessness: The Seattle Area Spends More

Than $1 Billion a Year on This Humanitarian Crisis (Video)." Puget Sound Business

Journal, 16 Nov. 2017, www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2017/11/16/price-of-

homelessness-seattle-king-county-costs.html.