After a rash of violent crime last summer season, Golden Gardens Park has had almost no reports of assaults – a good thing for beach cruisers, sunbathers and sunset freaks. With one of the warmest summers on record the beach is a popular spot and crowds throng the sand, coming from all parts of the city.

“It’s actually been pretty good so far, but it’s very early in the summer,” said Officer Patrick Michaud with Seattle Police Department.

Last year there were many attacks and lots of other crime activity at Golden Gardens Park. Readers of the Ballard News-Tribune may remember a group of young punks causing trouble and calling themselves the 85-15 gang. The gang turned out to be a group of young hoodlums that didn’t stick around as the fall cooled off the beach. What else? Well, the Seattle Parks beach cruiser was stolen; a man was punched in the throat and mugged; and another man was beaten, mugged, and the suspects drove off in his car. There was another incident where a group of teens threw glass bottles at a park ranger’s truck windshield as the ranger tried to break up their late night carousing.

After all the reports police bumped patrols and by the end of the summer the crime in the park slowed down.

Luckily this year is off to a safe start. One of the only assault reports this year was an attack on a student. Last month an ex-army soldier tackled and gouged the eyes of his classmate. The victim sustained ocular nerve damage and lost his sight briefly but recovered. The victim knew the name of the attacker, but Seattle police have not disclosed if the suspect was arrested.

According to Michaud, this summer SPD is more proactive and sending more patrols to the park, especially on weekends.

“We have been working with park rangers and sending patrols out there and fixing things before they arise.”

Despite having low reports of crime in the park Seattle Police advise that it’s always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and always be mindful of others.

“Follow our instincts. That’s always the best advice I can give people. If it feels wrong it probably is. You are more attuned to your surrounding than you know.”