Not the buzz Everett wants in its downtown

Downtown Everett’s revival keeps picking up steam. The Events Center, along with the now-established remakes of Hewitt and Colby avenues, are drawing new life to the urban core, particularly at night. Exciting new restaurants and other businesses are taking root, and new housing units are bringing in more residents who care about their downtown neighborhood.

A necessary casualty of this revitalization is public drunkenness. The days of street alcoholics freely guzzling fortified beer and wine, then using the streets as their stumbling ground and a place to sleep it off, must end.

We applaud the city’s effort to curtail the sale of high-octane beer and wine, and encourage it to be aggressive. Downtown shopkeepers, who clearly have a stake in maintaining an attractive, inviting area, should voluntarily take the stuff off the shelves. If they don’t, the city should follow the lead of Seattle and Tacoma, which asked the state Liquor Control Board to ban the sale of cheap, strong hooch in designated “alcohol impact areas.”

We’re not talking about your basic six-pack of low-priced suds or a bottle from an economy vintner. This stuff is made to deliver a quick, cheap stupor. The wine contains up to 18 percent alcohol, about 50 percent more than most wines. The beer (or malt liquor) packs a similarly powerful punch and often comes in 24-ounce cans or quart bottles.

Its presence in high-density areas creates more panhandling and litter – the empties rarely find their way into a garbage can. And many street drunks are all too happy to use alleys, sidewalks or even private yards as a bathroom.

Let’s be clear: This is not a campaign to target low-income residents and force them out of downtown. It’s a mix of people that makes a downtown vibrant – different ages, cultural backgrounds and income levels. This is an effort to make downtown more welcoming and livable for everyone.

Let’s also be realistic: It won’t eliminate street alcoholics. The hope is it will encourage many of them to leave town and moderate the behavior of those who stay. It remains important for the community to seek and support programs that offer these people a chance to overcome their addiction.

But it’s also important for the city to address quality-of-life issues in its downtown neighborhood. We’re glad it’s addressing this one.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Monday, July 14

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Authorities search for victims among the rubble near Blue Oak RV park after catastrophic flooding on the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas, on Sunday, July 6, 2025. The half-mile stretch occupied by two campgrounds appears to have been one of the deadliest spots along the Guadalupe River in Central Texas during last week’s flash floods. (Jordan Vonderhaar/The New York Times)
Editorial: Tragic Texas floods can prompt reforms for FEMA

The federal agency has an important support role to play, but Congress must reassess and improve it.

Comment: Midterm messaging fight for working class has begun

And Democrats have a head start thanks to the GOP’s all-in support for cuts to the social safety net.

Saunders: Considering attacks from left, ICE agents must mask

It’s not ideal, but with physical attacks against agents up 700%, the precaution is understandable.

Comment: GOP delayed worst of BBB’s cuts until after midterms

Republicans are counting on low-information voters’ party loyalty over their own financial interests.

Comment: Superman has been ‘woke’ as far back as Krypton

Conservative critics upset by the movie director’s comments on immigration need to read up on the hero’s origins.

Tufekci: Link between flood warnings and people wasn’t there

What might have saved many in Texas was a NWS coordinator position eliminated in the DOGE cuts.

2024 Presidential Election Day Symbolic Elements.
Editorial: Retain Escamilla, Binda on Lynnwood City Council

Escamilla was appointed a year ago. Binda is serving his first term.

A Volunteers of America Western Washington crisis counselor talks with somebody on the phone Thursday, July 28, 2022, in at the VOA Behavioral Health Crisis Call Center in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: Dire results will follow end of LGBTQ+ crisis line

The Trump administration will end funding for a 988 line that serves youths in the LGBTQ+ community.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Sunday, July 13

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

FILE — The sun sets over power lines in rural Ward County, Texas on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Republicans plan to terminate billions of dollars in clean energy tax credits. Experts say that will mean more greenhouse gas emissions and more dangerous heat. (Paul Ratje/The New York Times)
Commentary: Bill will deliver dirtier energy at a higher price

Cuts to clean energy policy in the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ will stifle our energy transition and cost us more.

Tufekci: ‘Garbage in, garbage out’ behind AI’s Nazi meltdown

That Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot defaulted to internet hate speech is concerning. Our acceptance is scarier.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.