By MARK HIGGINS
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

The number of reported crimes in the valley's north end dropped 18 percent in the past five years, records show. There were 1,176 crimes, including rapes, robberies, and home and residential burglaries, reported in 1996 compared with 1,441 crimes reported in 1991.

That is not to suggest that all the crime problems are on the run. Gang activity is still present, and auto thefts and auto break-ins continue in north Rainier Valley, as they do elsewhere in Seattle, Arfi says.

But residents say it's a better place than it was five years ago despite negative perceptions by many in the city.

"A lot of the 'danger' of Rainier Valley is perceived more by the people who don't live there. But that doesn't mean there aren't problems," says Paul Thienes, an architect who lives in Mount Baker.

"I'm not worried about it (crime), but I do occasionally hear gunshots," says Barbara Alten, an architect who lives in the Genesee area, which is near the middle of the valley. Thienes and Alten are co-chairs of the north Rainier Valley neighborhood planning effort.

Some residents and business owners feel Rainier Valley's image has been unfairly portrayed by the local broadcast and print media. To prove that point, Morton, chamber manager, keeps a 1993 news script obtained from a KOMO-TV broadcast.

In it, a news anchor introduces a story on the valley's annual Heritage Festival, saying, "Just mention the neighborhood of Rainier Valley and it conjures up images of gangs and violence. But tonight residents there say there's a lot more to their community than death and destruction ... "

Morton says such inflammatory language does a disservice to the neighborhood and perpetuates the myth that it is especially dangerous.

Continued:

• Community is on the mend from troubled times
• Problems linger but there are signs of hope