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Comments (33)

• Mike R 01/05/2010 3:25:46 PM

  Thanks for the peek behind the doors...

• Theodore 10/08/2009 11:16:31 AM

  Of course the Marco Polo is a shining example of how an Aurora Avenue lodging establishment should be run! I'm sure Kurt Cobain would have agreed! http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2006/nov/04/popandrock.nirvana http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4638575/ns/dateline_nbc-books/

• Joe 10/08/2009 3:06:23 AM

  I would to make a few corrections to this article. The saintly description of the Marco Polo Inn management was extremely inaccurate. The owners of this hotel also own the Columbus Motor Inn, a slum filled with rats, mold, drugs, prostitutes and gangbangers. I don't know much about the Marco Polo, but had the misfortune of staying at the Columbus and know all too well about it's dark side. When I was new to Seattle, I stayed there for a short time as I searched for an apartment. They told me I could rent monthly for a rate of $1000, but once I got all moved in they refused to let me pay on a monthly basis, I was forced to pay $60 daily. I reluctantly paid, then they started telling me I had unpaid balances from previous days and showed me their "records" they had written in pencil. I thought perhaps I was mistaken, so I paid them the $180 they claimed I owed for the first three days I lived there. (I had paid cash, and had no receipt so I took their word for it, foolish, I know) This went on for the extent of my stay there. I continued to pay my $60 a day, yet the "balance" I owed would steadily increase on their handwritten records day by day. They refused to give me receipts when I paid, always making excuses as to why they were unable to provide me with one. They claimed I owed $800 when I moved out, wanting to rob me one last time, and I paid it because they threatened to send me to collections and I didn't want anything ruining my credit score. I tolerated this because I had nowhere else to go, and by the time I had paid my bills, $60 a day and my "outstanding balances" I had nothing to go toward an apartment, let alone food or other basic necessities. My job paid well, so I was unable to get food stamps based on my income, to make matters more frustrating. I thank God for the food bank, I would've surely starved to death othewise. I was trapped in that hellish existence for months. I am not a drug user, nor have I ever been, but I was surrounded by them in all the other units. I was harassed constantly by other tenants wanting money or just trying to intimidate me. I'd have to listen to them getting high, fighting and causing disturbances at all hours. I would sleep at night, trying in vain to rest before going to work in the morning and I'd have to listen to prostitutes moaning and getting physically assaulted in neighboring rooms. The heavy stench of mold made it hard to breathe, though I cleaned regularly with a bleach solution. I was so broke after I had given the management the majority of my paycheck, that all I had to eat was a package of bagels. Imagine my surprise when I came home from work to see a gigantic rat eating the only food I had to eat on the counter.(I had no money to buy more either, so I had to go hungry for the night) I laid in bed at night in fear that I'd contract rabies or hantavirus as rats scratched around in the walls and scampered around the room, sometimes waking me up as they ran across the heavily stained and highly odiferous mattress. I informed the management of the rodent infestation and all they told me was "I'm going to increase your rent, I give you good deal and all you do is complain!" When he did increase my rent to the ASTRONOMICAL rate of $80 per day, I told him I could not afford this. I was told sarcastically to "go out on the street (pointing to Aurora) and work it" meaning prostitute myself. As Christian man, this offended me on so many levels. I already felt like such a failure and was so filled with embarrasment having to call that awful place my home, and having someone talk to me in that manner just demoralized me further. Several nights, I'd come home from work and there would be a lock on the doorknob and a note telling me to pay more or I'd lose all my possessions. He and his wife would discuss what they were going to do with all my things (naming them in detail, because they'd go through my room when I was at work) until I gave up arguing and paid them more. He'd just keep saying "Pay pay pay! I don't care! You're lucky you stay here, it's the nicest hotel on Aurora!" Obviously he has fooled the reporter with those lies he tells. Isn't it strange how he refuses to provide his name to the reporter when a glowing review is being given to his establisment! After I read this, I felt compelled to tell the truth about these people so I can hopefully prevent this from happening to anyone else. This was such a painful chapter in my life and I'd never want anyone to experience this hell on Earth, please be aware. Like most Aurora Ave skid row hotel owners, they are opportunistic parasites that prey on people who are financially struggling or who are just lost souls who are unaware of what's being done to them. With so many people having their homes foreclosed and being evicted because of the economic downturn, I am very concerned that someone else might become their next victim. Please be careful!

• Jim 09/23/2009 5:12:57 PM

  This article is very interesting but depressing. Drugs are bad.

• V.C. 09/15/2009 3:33:05 PM

  Solid Ground has been providing motel vouchers since the late 70’s. The program is currently supported by both city and federal funds. Solid Ground has verbal agreements with a number of motels around the city, including at least one on the north end. When one of their clients is in need of temporary or emergency housing, organization reps contact one of those motels to inquire as to whether any rooms are available. If so, the clients are given the voucher and sent to that particular hotel. They are not left on their own to find and secure housing. According to a spokesman for the organization, none of the Inman-owned hotels currently participate in this program.

• Laughing 09/14/2009 7:09:48 PM

  Hey #10 Mike. Its funny you think everything is normal at the inmans properties. Maybe its because you are a 57 year old crackhead and not only do you share crack with Dean but hookers as well. Funny man you should probably just keep your trap closed. I know all of you much too well from personal experience and working with you guys

• Concerned citizen 09/14/2009 12:43:54 PM

  I couldn't agree more Old School Seattle. The Inmans take so many of the vouchers that the city provides these homeless people. You would think that if the city was sending them out with these vouchers to seek shelter at the motels then they would also be ready to help deal with issues that effect the neighborhoods. There is no sign that says once you check in you can NOT leave the property. The I have seen the Inmans lower the rates to help these people get off the streets and have shelter. If this was a huge money maker for the Inmans they wouldn't be scraping by to keep the power on. They state the bill is $38,000 divided by 5 motels is $7600 divided that by the number of rooms they rent out and you are looking at one months worth of bills. To you and I that seems large compaired to our house holds. Who cares if they set up a payment plan for the power company it is an option we all have. As for the tax charges The City is still trying to scrape something together that is why we dont have a dollar amount and sadly the have drug the Inmans name thru the mud over what is going to trun out to be a very small amount of money. Who isn't having finacial trouble right now? The City is using this as a way to create medi hype and cover up their own issues and faults in this situation that has gotten way out of hand. There is no overnight answer to dealing with the crime in the area. The Inmans however are renting their rooms legaly to the public and should not be faulted for that. The Seattle Weekly Reporter did a great job of finding the best dirt he could, and WOW what an impact story he has gotten. I am sure Keely turned a couple tricks so she could buy extra copies to pass out to all her friends. Maybe you should see what you cant dig up at the mayors office they are hiding alot of their own dirt on the situation. You may be able to come up with something we dont already know. I am sure someone there will also turn a trick or two afterall this is all ploitical screw as many as you can to get to the top!

• CuteNCrudely 09/13/2009 9:43:52 PM

  @ Vernal Coleman Nice piece of voyeristic journalism on the poor side of town. Something for everybody: For people who thinks that their shit don't stink to people that know things are not what they seem. @ city attorney, Ed McKenna who is spearheading this project. Soon, you will be out of a job and might need a place to stay. Ask for the weekly special with vials of crack. @ Tim Burgess - City council. You had your chance to be mayor, but you didn't have the courage to do it. Figures you would be part of this bs. @ SPD - North Pre. Capt. Mike Washburn: Why get involved with this witch hunt? Dontcha to be an assist chief or the big dog? Brass must not be happy with you to let this one through. @ Inmans. The word is that you guys are DEVOUT Christians who want to help the lost souls in Seattle. The word is that there are MANY folks who quietly support their work for the homeless, addicts, ex-cons, and other non-church going crowd. The "Inn" crowd. Shit, you must gots mad religeon do this kind of crap. The really fucking ironic thing about all this is that you the taxpayers are paying for all this circus. And, an election year. Not just the wasted manpower, but all of the vouchers that help pay for these rooms for these people. Here how it basically works: non-profits receive money from the city for DMV, homeless, addicts, etc. These agencies give motel vouchers to these folks. These folks find motels who will accept these vouchers. Why? There is no other place who will take these people and their emotional and addictive baggage that comes with them. This is not just the city, but also King county, the State, dept of corrections, and other charities. No tin foil hat conspircies here. Go ask Solid Ground if they receive money for motel vouchers from the city. Ironic. A fremont non-profit. It is easier to beat up on these motels rather than ask why the govt gives moneys to charities or reduce homelessness, addicts, dmv, and other social problems. Closing these motels do not solve anything, but rather spread the problems somewhere else. Out of Fremont? Then send them down to Georgetown and SE seattle. they gots motels down there. How about further up on Aurora, like Edmonds or Lynnwood? Make it a Snohomish county problem. Fucking NIMBY-ism at its fucking finest and election year politics at its finest. Typical Seattle WASPs, Hate people, but would never say it in someone's face. Seattle Nice, my ass. NYC gots nothing on you. -Goin' Back 2 Cali

• Matt 09/12/2009 1:44:09 PM

  It is incredibly naive and immature to think that the crime that occurs on Aurora streets is going to some how "poof" and disappear if the Inman's hotels were to be closed. You can't honestly believe that drug users, drug dealers, pimps, prostitutes and any other criminal would simply give up their habits or professions because these hotels were no longer there. In fact it seems pretty obvious to me that with out these hotels these crimes would just spread further into the residential areas, business's, parks, and so on that surround Aurora. Stop blaming the hotel's (any of them) and start trying to find a real solution to the crime that occurs on Aurora. Whether you believe the Inman's to be good people or not, Aurora crime will not change with their absence.

• Also42ndStreet 09/11/2009 2:34:53 PM

  Incident report for Aug 2009 below. Does this sound like your neighborhood? LATEST FREMONT MOTEL & BURGLARY REPORT: AUG. 2009 *unofficial stats Fremont Inn 4251 Aurora N. 8/01 3:21AM mgr. reporting a possible assault 8/02 9:36AM report of threats 8/02 10:10PM a male who had created a disturbance earlier is back 8/03 1:05AM assault by a known suspect 8/04 6:08PM mgr. reports that a male who harassed him has returned 8/08 12:05PM suicide threats 8/10 12:48PM a mentally ill guest claims to have been assaulted 8/12 1:15PM mgr. says a guest is bothering him regarding a previous assault 8/12 7:12PM a man reports a motel guest offered his room for a fee & then stole the money 8/23 4:17PM second hand report of an assault 8/23 5:06PM report of a female making threats 8/24 12:42PM officers check on an 11 year old child staying at the motel with parent 8/27 4:47PM warrant arrest 8/28 3:44AM female reports that someone is banging on her door 8/29 8:47AM report of a man and woman arguing over custody of a child 8/31 4:56AM shots heard in front of the motel Wallingford Inn 4450 Green Lake Wy N. 8/7 6:22PM suicide threats 8/10 1:26AM mgr. hears odd sawing noises and think someone may be on the roof 8/10 7:09PM male who previously kicked a door is now in front of the building 8/18 2:21AM report of two people in a heated argument 8/25 10:53PM area check for a reported suspicious person 8/31 2:52PM mgr. reports a theft Italia/Isabella 4129 Aurora Ave N. 8/03 11:09 warrant arrest 8/07 3:48PM report of a male refusing to leave 8/08 11:08AM mgr. says 6 prostitutes are working in front of the motel 8/09 12:46AM report of a male causing a disturbance and refusing to leave 8/09 2:30AM an intoxicated male is yelling and banging things 8/09 :4:43AM the same intoxicated male damaged a door by kicking it 8/09 7:23PM a guest claims another guest stole his money 8/13 7:47PM report of a male kicking at a door 8/16 9:19AM officers stand by while a female picks up some property 8/19 12:15PM felony warrant arrest 8/19 11:00PM report of 2 males fighting 8/21 1:47PM report of a possible disturbance 8/23 1:09AM a known prostitute broke into a room and passed out 8/23 6:42PM report of an prostitute on the property 8/30 4:31PM report of a male smoking crack near the dumpster RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES 8/11 100blk NW 45th the resident came home to discover that his side door had been pried open and his three handguns had been stolen 8/14 100blk NW 39th the burglar(s) entered the house through a window that had been left open, a camera, checks and cash were stolen 8/16 4600blk Linden Ave N. the burglar(s) entered the home through an open side window and stole a wallet, the resident was home at the time but in another part of the house 8/19 100blk NW 44th the resident came home from work to find that his house had been burglarized, a camera, backpack and computer accessories were stolen, there was no sign of forced entry 8/21 4000blk Midvale N. the resident reported some tools stolen from his unlocked storage shed 8/23 700blk N. 42nd the property was entered using the key from the realtor’s lock box, a flat screen TV was stolen 8/28 4000blk Densmore Ave N. the victim rents a room in this house, she came home to find the front door unlocked and her checkbook missing

• Also42ndStreet 09/11/2009 2:22:06 PM

  For all you social philosophers: Do I think the crime will disappear if the motels are shut down or if they're properly managed? Of course not. There will always be criminals and crime in society. It's human nature. Do I think if these motels were better run or shut down that the rampant crime in my neighborhood would be reduced? Yes. While the motels are not causing the crime, they are facilitating and enabling it. By encouraging the city to take action against these problem motels, am I simply hoping that the criminals will move away from my neighborhood? ABSOLUTELY. There is no magic wand to make pimps, hookers, dealers, addicts, thieves, and other criminals become upstanding citizens overnight. If it were that easy I think we would have done it by now. But it's ridiculous to suggest we shouldn't address the current problem simply because the criminals will continue being criminals elsewhere. Ignoring the problem doesn't make it better. Nobody is asking for world peace here, nor to rid Seattle of all crime. Just trying to get a lid on the rampant criminal activity so that the neighborhood doesn't continue turning into a wasteland of drugs, prostitution, and other crime. Honest citizens should be able to live in safe communities, shouldn't they?

• fortysecondstreet 09/11/2009 11:47:24 AM

  Ryan: Well, my apologies for calling you Dean Inman. That is indeed an insult of the highest degree and you didn't deserve it if it isn't true. As for being too narrow-minded to appreciate your response, that's a pretty lame cop-out. I've seen all of this stuff first hand and I gave some factual information to fill in the gaping holes in your attempt at defending your boss. This isn't a matter of personal opinion, prejudice, or politics; it is a matter of respecting the rights of others to live their lives, and that is where Mr. Inman and many (not all) of his staff and guests have crossed a line over and over again and we're all tired of it. How about you guys stop blaming everyone else and clean your sh*t up. Learn to run a business properly, pay your bills on time, hold yourselves and your guests accountable to following the law, respect other people's rights and property, and realize that you're part of a larger community that shouldn't have to clean up after you.

• Fremont reader 09/11/2009 11:20:15 AM

  Ryan: Holiday Inns are included in AAA Guidebooks because they meet standards of security, safety, cleanliness. The Inman motels... sadly, not.

• Ryan 09/11/2009 9:29:30 AM

  Fortysecondstreet: I'm not Dean. You know the saying about assuming things? I was going to type an elaborate counter-response to your response, but I realized that you have already shown yourself to be narrow minded and to assume to much. To everyone else: You can blame the motel owners all you want, but the truth is that inexpensive lodging is needed, especially during economic hardship. These motels are home to families of the unemployed, the less fortunate, the frugal traveler, out-of-area construction workers, young couples escaping for a night of privacy, single mothers, and people displaced from their homes due to unplanned events. I am the manager of the Seattle Motor Inn. I ended up here over a year ago on unemployment, having lost my job and apartment. And if it weren't for the Inman's affordable rates, I wouldn't have been able to afford to live off of the streets. And when my unemployment ran out, Dean and Jill were kind enough to take a chance on me and hire me on as a desk clerk. Had it not been for them, I am not sure what I would be doing with my life right now, considering the dismal conditions of the job market. At the Seattle Motor Inn, I have taken many steps to improve the atmosphere and keep out crime and "problem" individuals. And I have done so with the full support and encouragement of Dean and Jill. So I have good reason to take exception to the fact that the writer based most of his article from his dealings at basically one location (Italia and Isabella are next door to one another and are run by the same office), and from basically only a small handfull of individuals staying at this location. Obviously the writer came to the motels seeking out the juiciest dirt he could write about, and so his article is anything but unbiased, and therefore poor reporting. I could probably go to the Holiday Inn and find some drug dealers and users there too if I went with the intent of finding it. Does that mean that the Holiday Inn is allowing it? No. The city does in fact have an agenda against the motels. If these motels were to shut down, it wouldn't stop anything, it would only push it around. Pushing dirt around is no way to deal with Aurora's problems. What really is needed is better police response to actually clean up the dirt. Bullying business owners and pointing at them to cover up their own lack of support is in very, very poor form.

• camlux 09/11/2009 4:28:52 AM

  Time to make them all gravel parking lots.

• Tin Foil Hat 09/10/2009 11:10:36 PM

  Must be amateur conspiracy theorist day here in the comments section. Apparently, the mayor has a secret plan to raise property values where his minions live *and* he wants to drive out English-speaking business owners in Fremont because he uh, hates whitey? Plus since when is "everybody on Aurora is a drug dealer" a reason not to go after them? Even if that was true it's kind of silly. But anyone who's been to Fremont before can tell you there are at least three non-Inman motels within walking distance of the Italia that *don't* require constant adult supervision. Mr. Inman I think it's time to call your little minions off. They're starting to make you look even worse. If that's possible.

• Fed Up in Fremont 09/10/2009 9:25:41 PM

  I'm outraged that the out-of-town motel owners only paid $11,000 of their $38,000 Seattle Light electricity bill -- that's one-third of their light bill. WHY ARE THE LIGHTS STILL ON? Why do ratepayers like me have to support laggard owners with what amounts to an interest-free loan? Hear me clearly: If I didn't pay $27,000 of my electricity bill, my electricity would be shut off. Immediately. These nuisance property owners are getting away with everything they can -- using police as their private security force, not paying their city taxes, not paying their full electric bills. And they rub taxpayers nose in it, laughing all the way to the bank.

• Stella Perry 09/10/2009 9:12:35 PM

  This part of Aurora is notorious for drugs and crime. Shutting down the Inmans' motels will hardly put a stop to this activity on Aurora. Are the neighbors just trying to push these people into others’ backyards? Is the city of Seattle ready to accept the responsibility of hundreds of homeless on their hands once the motels are out of business? Hardly. Shutting down these properties won't put money in these peoples' pockets, or give them a place to sleep. These people will literally be wandering Aurora or relocating to the other motels in the area. Then will the city shut those down too? I can’t see this as a productive solution to the problem. Every city faces the situation of dealing with homeless and the less-fortunate. These people don’t just need a place to stay, but opportunities as well. The motels provide both but unfortunately at a price. Although these motels aren’t a place to vacation, they serve a purpose that needs to be dealt with. The problem isn’t the Inmans’ as landlords, it’s the high volume of poverty stricken Seattle residents. Unless the city of Seattle has an active plan to compensate for the Aurora motels, closing them down would hardly benefit those “so concerned”.

• Cynthia 09/10/2009 7:39:30 PM

  I feel that landlords don't have any control who rents their properties. The whole reason for owning rental properties is to keep them at full capacity constantly. It doesn't matter who it is, the point is they have the money therefore, they're entitled to rent a motel room for the evening. Have any other landlords of Motels in the same area been treated as harshly as the Inmans or have they been under the same magnifying glass? Probaly not. I'm feeling that there's a communcation problem with the other landlords in the area, and because english isn't their own language, they can hide under the radar. The City is picking on the Inmans only because they are one of the only few English speaking landlords in that area. If the City is going to crack down on cleaning up the Aurora Motels they should include all landlords,not just the Inmans. The Inman's are trying to provide shelter for those who would normally be sleeping in their cars or on the street. Your article didn't mention how many state vouchers they give out a night to homeless people. Those neighbors in Fremont should know that the "nasty neighborhood" they're living in didn't become that way since the Inman's bought those Motels, they've been living in that Aurora nastiness a long time before.

• Affected By This 09/10/2009 5:55:52 PM

  I live near three of the motels owned by the Inmans. The criminals living there circulate on the streets by my house,going back and forth between these motels. They carry on with their drug dealing,drug use, prostitution, public drinking, littering and fighting as if we didn't exist. They have developed a sense of confidence that comes with irresponsible management where they are staying. Enforcing the law against them is like a cat and mouse game and they know that they are winning. SPD does an excellent job but it doesn't matter because the Inmans do not control their property. It all comes down to how they are operated and what the owners/managers will tolerate. The Thunderbird (now also called the Fremont Inn) was family owned and operated until a few years ago. They didn't allow any nonsense and it was a benign presence. That has changed entirely. I don't agree with anyone's comment including Dean Inman's that they are providing a valuable service to low income people. They are NOT safe places to live and someone who is vulnerable should not live near Aurora, historically known for its attraction to people looking for drugs and prostitution.

• Also42ndStreet 09/10/2009 5:00:50 PM

  Fortysecondstreet has it right on the money. This is not a case of the city targeting business that provide services to people with low income or other social challenges. These motels, at least the three that are within shouting distance of my front door, are CONSTANT sources of crime, disruption, and anxiety in the neighborhood. I've personally discovered hookers urinating IN MY BACK YARD. Drug needles on the sidewalk in front of my house. Drug dealers yelling thug challenges at each other at 3 am any day of the week. The people causing these problems are not responsible citizens who are down on their luck. This is criminal activity, and these are CRIMINALS. I don't care WHY you're a criminal. Doesn't matter to me in the slightest. Plenty of people have more difficult circumstances and still manage to be responsible citizens. The excuses I've heard are as numerous as they are worthless. I probably wouldn't care as much about the rampant criminal activity if it was contained to just these people, just at these motels. But the reality is that the criminal activity spreads into the neighborhood. Cars get prowled. Homes get burglarized. People get beaten and robbed. Hookers take bathroom breaks in my back yard. This is unacceptable for any neighborhood where people live and raise their children. It doesn't matter how long it may have been the norm in that area. Crime is crime, and only benefits criminals. I'm pleased that the city is attempting to hold these motels to a minimum legal standard of appropriate conduct. Thanks to SPD in particular for showing up quickly every time I call.

• Mike 09/10/2009 4:54:18 PM

  So who is this ground breaking award winning reporter? News flash:Crime found on and near Aurora Ave. Wow he must have dug deep to find this story. It's truly fair and balanced reporting. Oh and what about facts? It was a tenant that was stabbed not a visitor but yes he did live. And about the Marco Polo. Wasn't there a famous guy named Kurt who would stay there so he could shoot heroin? And isn't the Marco Polo owned by the same people who own and operate the rat infested crime ridden Columbus Inn. Maybe one shovel down is not deep enough. Keep digging and you might find the real story. It's not as sensational but its about people and what we as a society can and should do to help those in need. Write about the financially,physically,and emotionally bankrupt individuals who only want a clean slate to start over. Write about the politicians who make campaign speeches but don't follow through. Write about the cities finest but don't have the support to have an adequate response time. Or better yet write about neighbors who bitch and moan but never lift a finger to help another human being. They would rather hide behind their walls pointing out rather then look in the mirror and see where a solution begins. If I sound bitter I'm not. I see hope in this conflict. I see where neighbors and the city can reach out to business owners and offer a helping hand and where business can be more responsive to neighborhood needs. What I don't see is where poor reporting will help either side.

• Charles 09/10/2009 3:58:37 PM

  To Whom it may concern in regards to what was "said" by Charles Fergusun in the "Out with the Inn Crowd" article in the September 9 issue of The Seattle Weekly. Yes I have been here for 30 days. I have been personally asked about safety issues, and the availability of both drugs and sex. When I arrived in Seattle and stayed in one the Inmans motels. I had no form of income and I asked Dean if he needed help. He gave me a job to help me work off the cost of room. We have security, we handle heavy traffic issues via warnings. Anything that was stated as a quote by me in the article other then what I said above is a lie. Truly Charles Ferguson

• Mike 09/10/2009 3:23:04 PM

  I am a former resident manager of one of the Inman properties. I am also a 57 year old Seattle native. I must say I do not remember when there was not a crime problem on Aurora. From Everett to the Seattle Center you can find drugs and prostitution on most corners. If you don't believe me lets take a ride. So why is it the Inman properties are in the cities sights. Could it be a member of the Mayor's staff lives in close proximity to these motels or is it those that paid less for their homes because of their location want a greater profit?

• fortysecondstreet 09/10/2009 12:13:40 PM

  Ryan (aka Dean Inman?) writes: "[The writer is] unfairly groupling [sic] the Inmans' other properties with [the Italia/Isabella] citing police call volume ... Police call volume is a good thing, because it means that management is calling police ... The city should provide the Inmans with more support in fighting the problems that plague ALL motels on Aurora." That is some seriously twisted logic there, "Ryan". Let's have a reality check: * The Italia, Isabella, and Thunderbird are all within a block of me. The activity is constant and the motel guests move back and forth between them. There is no "unfair grouping" going on. And if there is, the best case scenario is that 3/5 of the Inman properties are serious problems. Not a terribly impressive defense there. * If the motel management was so great, they wouldn't be renting to the same repeat offenders over and over again. They don't call the police on their tenants, they send them out into the street - into the neighborhoods where they conduct their criminal activity in the open or on neighbors' property before walking up or down Aurora to the next Inman motel where they are given a room again. * The police are actually quite responsive. It's hard to arrive *while* a drug deal is being conducted or a prostitute is getting beat up by her pimp in the street, because those things happen quickly and the dealers/buyers/pimps/hoes/Johns are adept at getting back to their safe harbor inside their motel rooms as soon as they see a cop coming. The Inmans don't need more resources from the city; they city has already tried numerous times to work *with* them and wasted enough taxpayer money trying to deal with the problems the Inmans have created. It's time for the city to put a stop to it permanently. * If Ryan's claim was true, there would be out-of-control crime at all the motels on Aurora, but look across the street at the Marco Polo, and at almost every other business in upper Fremont. Evidently there are people capable of running a business responsibly in this town without neighbors having to call the cops on them every day.

• Seely 09/10/2009 11:44:29 AM

  The Inmans provided us with a statement that touches on many of the points being highlighted in this comment thread. It's excerpted in the body of this main piece, but can be read in its entirety here: http://www.seattleweekly.com/2009-09-09/news/the-motel-owners-response-to-the-city-s-charges/

• Seattlepostglobe 09/10/2009 10:53:26 AM

  Mayor Nickels on the motel crackdown: "We're on it...We're using every tool that we have..." See: http://is.gd/37jFv

• Ryan 09/10/2009 8:51:05 AM

  During hard economic times as these, many people who have lost jobs need the kind of temporary, affoardable shelter these motels provide. The Inmans have also helped out many otherwise homeless individuals by providing them with jobs and a home. Also this article is largely focused on the writer's interactions at the Italia and neighboring Isabella motels, unfairly groupling the Inmans' other properties with them citing police call volume and a couple of quotes as evidence that the other properties are just as bad. Police call volume is a good thing, because it means that management is calling police instead of looking the other way. Too bad that when they are called, it usually takes an hour or more for an officer to arrive. The city should provide the Inmans with more support in fighting the problems that plague ALL motels on Aurora. Instead they are pointing the finger at them as a way to steer any blame away from the city's lack of support.

• Thomas 09/10/2009 12:00:17 AM

  Anyone who offers a solution to a problem must also examine what problems will be created from that solution and be willing to pay for and take part in solving those unsolved problems. That is taking responsibility. So if the neighbors and city close these motels what problems are created? The buildings are not the problem. The people in the buildings are. Since they work,shop,and live in this area where will they relocate to? My guess is out into the surrounding neighborhood. Now that is a scary thought. Cure the cause don't just spread it around.

• mike 09/09/2009 6:05:19 PM

  The City of Seattle or should I say the mayors office seems to enjoy going after the less fortunate. Has Seattle become a city for the rich and powerful only? Yes it is a given that there are problems at these motels but you will find the same problems at the expensive downtown hotels and the more expensive motels on Aurora. Does having a credit card make one a better person? If things are so bad at these motels why haven't there been more arrests? The less fortunate should have the same rights of privacy and due process.

• Jason 09/09/2009 4:58:31 PM

  My parents owned the Italia way back in the day when it was called the Aloha Motel. It wasn't always this shady, from what I understand, most of their business came from sports fans from out of town. I'm really curious though, since crack has existed since the 80s, why has hardcore drug activity jumped up in this area recently?

• Fed up in Fremont 09/09/2009 11:25:56 AM

  Nearly 1,000 police calls were made on the Fremont blocks containing four Inman motels, according to a public records request: http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattle911/archives/177492.asp

• Fremont reader 09/09/2009 10:36:27 AM

  Wow--thank you for your groundbreaking, thorough reporting. I hope the Health Department reads this and takes action. I am aghast at the tens of thousands of tax dollars that have gone into police enforcement of the Italia, Isabella, Fremont Inn (Thunderbird), Wallingford Inn (former A-1). Neighbors have contacted the Inmans repeatedly via letter, e-mail and phone calls to no avail. A big thank you to the City Attorney's Office and Mayor's Office for cracking down on the motels.