Just the facts...
My family and I lived in the Everett Country Club Apartments (AKA ECCA, The Jungle ) from February 1993 to June 2001.
Nearly the entire time we lived there we experienced many great difficulties ranging from the loud and obnoxious to the dangerous and mentally unstable neighbors, as well as a wide range of crime (such as murders, rape, robbery, missing persons, fraud, domestic abuse, illegal drug trafficking, terrorist threats, kidnappings, gang violence, auto thefts, arson fires, destruction of personal property, and other very sensitive crimes), and many other problems with this complex itself.
Staff was discourteous, unprofessional, and displayed appalling behavior.
There were signs of a distressed and poorly performing property including overgrown grass and weeds, very poorly kept landscaping; the grounds were always dirty with garbage, terrible in appearance, poorly maintained, and littered with disease-spreading used needles and syringes.
The water was undrinkable due to an excess of chlorine, lead, rust, and other sediments in the pipes. The Hazardous Waste Division of the local Health Department issued Toxic Watch warning letters to all of the residents concerning the potential health concerns caused by the toxic drinking water, with the apartment manager and an official from HUD present. Residents were required to sign a statement acknowledging the presence of lead in the drinking water, or else they would immediately be issued a Three-Day to Vacate Notice should they refuse to sign. The underground water pipes were damaged, cracked, and in some places had completely disintegrated from rust and corrosion.
There were quite significant health risks from Rat Infestations and some of the Commercial Rat Traps were left in unsafe settings around child and pet play areas where other animals or children could get to the product. Seeing children playing barefoot about the Rat Traps was not an uncommon site!
There was an ongoing problem of Toxic Black Mold and Household Mildew: A Creeping Catastrophe, causing serious health issues! Many of the apartments reeked from the stench which was unbearable, caused exceptional damages to the apartment units, and many of the residents were sickened by the toxic mold and faced with costly medical expenses.
More than one manager and office personnel were fired from their jobs and arrested for being involved in criminal activity such as illegal drugs and sex solicitation on women and children. Threats were used to coerce sex from unwilling victims and if they did not oblige they were evicted!
The Everett Police and Snohomish County Sheriff s regularly performed major sting operations and chased after criminals. Neighborhood police patrols were reduced due to funding cuts and there was a growing concern and belief that police officers were unwilling to patrol the streets of ECCA due to fear!
We have witnessed many bizarre things during the time we lived at ECC.
Here a just a few classic examples:
A man and a woman running stark naked through the courtyard in the middle of the night screaming like banshees while overdosed on a drug called Meth .
Physically aggressive mentally ill woman out of control, screaming with rage and running nude in the parking lot while 8 police officers attempt to detain her.
Police on a high-speed police chase chasing a white Cadillac through the courtyards in the middle of the day, while dodging small children playing outside, only to take a wrong turn and drive into the side of one apartment building, directly into the tenant s bedroom (literally!) nearly killing the couple who were lying in bed. Needless to say they are very lucky to be alive!
A man walking down the middle of the street carrying a Military Uzi on his shoulder in broad daylight!
A pregnant woman who was an innocent bystander got caught in the crossfire during a police drug raid, killing both her and the baby! This was an innocent young Mother-To-Be and her baby who did not deserve to die!
Victims of the Green River Serial Killer found on the property, their bodies dumped in ditches and along the Interurban Bike Trail parallel to ECCA!
Women raped while walking along the Interurban Bike Trail
Children kidnapped (one was found, and returned, alive!)
Many of these incidents occurred directly beneath our bedroom window and often in the middle of the night!
We wrote letters to the city of Everett and to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) informing them of the criminal activity that flourished in this apartment complex, as well as expressing concern for our personal safety and fear of imminent danger of serious harm and injury, and made an urgent request and plea to terminate our (then current) tenancy agreement and further requesting permission to be approved for a Section 8 Housing Certificate and Voucher to move into a safer place. Our requests were immediately approved!
Although the crime rate has gone down, residents are rebuilding their lives and beginning to perceive ECCA as a safer place to live, we must exterminate the idea that ECCA is a good place to rear children or a safe place to live!
Average citizens and housing officials alike are generally apathetic and oblivious about the criminal activity that is so rampant at many apartment complexes.
Crime Exists and it is a National Concern!
Being aware of the prevalence of crime throughout our country is the first step in building solid offenses and defenses against these monstrosities. When we put blinders over our eyes and remain apathetic toward current statistics and abundant media reports about criminal activity, we are doing a disservice to ourselves and those we love. In addition, being oblivious to crime creates a detrimental sense of inattentiveness. We are no longer aware of what is going on around us. We are dangerously boxed inside our idealistic worlds. Criminals love us; we make the best targets. Mental and physical self-defense is about being smart, not being irrational or impractical. Obviously, there aren't attackers lurking in every single dark alley or parking garage in the world. Not every guy you date will try to rape you. Being aware means understanding the possibilities and being prepared should you face them one day.
RENTERS BEWARE!! Remember It Can Happen to You !
You are Not Alone!
Signed,
Jungle Survivors/Old Timers

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