Amazon temporarily relocates employees from crime-ridden downtown Seattle

Amazon is temporarily relocating 1,800 employees from a downtown Seattle office building amid another recent surge in violence.

A series of shootings and violent crime have occurred in recent weeks in the area including enforcement officers having shot and killed a man who was allegedly attempting to drive his car into a federal building while firing a rifle. In late February, someone was shot in the face nearby. 

"Given recent incidents ..., we’re providing employees currently at that location with alternative office space elsewhere," a company spokesperson said Monday. "We are hopeful that conditions will improve and that we will be able to bring employees back to this location when it is safe to do so," said a company spokesperson.

The offer to relocates come as most workers at the Amazon office continue to work remotely because of the pandemic.

Seattle was among the U.S. cities hit hardest by the riots that spun out of the social justice protests in summer 2020.

The office of Democrat Mayor Bruce Harrell told Fox News about the city's crime problem: "While it will take time to reverse longstanding safety issues, Mayor Harrell's early efforts are critical first steps to address crime and improve safety through dedicated [Seattle Police Department] officers, a mobile SPD precinct and additional environmental changes. 

"Mayor Harrell will continue to develop a comprehensive approach to public safety in collaboration with police and safety advocates, community members, service providers, and businesses, including Amazon, to activate, revitalize, and restore downtown for all."