Hmm sounds about right. Years ago I walked from pike place to the ferris wheel and on the way I saw a few “transactions” in the park, and had this uneasy feeling that I was going to be jumped. Luckily it was a group of people in the daytime.
That path would not have led you past this area. You would have been heading away from the area in the article. Not even sure what park is on that path.
