Overflow crowd attends Greenwood arson meeting

by | Nov 11, 2009

I’m posting quick updates from Doree, who’s texting me from the meeting. She’ll follow up with a more complete report afterward.

8:24 p.m.: About 150 people still talking with officials at the second meeting recap.

8 p.m.: The meeting downstairs broke up about 10 minutes ago and officials are talking to people upstairs who couldn’t make it into the first meeting.

7:44 p.m.: Doree says attendees have been very respectful – no shouting. Lots of clapping and thank yous to firefighters and police.

7:41 p.m.: Seattle Mayor-elect Mike McGinn is in attendance. Lots of applause for him at the start of the meeting.

7:36 p.m.: After the meeting wraps up downstairs, officials plan to head upstairs to talk to the overflow crowd. Lots of questions being asked. It could be a while.

7:31 p.m.: Assistant Chief A.D. Vickery says that not only has property been lost, but that people’s lives and those of firefighters have been put at risk.

7:20 p.m.: Doree says there are “several hundred” more people who want to get into the meeting, but there is no room.

7:03 p.m.: Officials say there have been 14 arsons since June. That’s up from the 10 previously reported.

7:02 p.m.: The meeting has begun. Doree says the fire marshal started it off with fire safety information on how to get out of the building in event of a fire. No kidding. And two interpreters for the deaf are taking turns.

6:45 p.m.: It’s 15 minutes until the meeting starts and already there is a standing room only crowd, according to Doree, who is at Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, 7500 Greenwood Ave. N., where the meeting is being held.

Doree estimates there are 200 people in attendance, plus police and fire representatives, as well as TV news crews, including KING and KIRO.

 

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