Where Minaret Editors Meet Superheroes
In February of 2011, a Minaret writer went on patrol with Phoenix Jones, a Seattle-based superhero. Over the course of the night they visited the worst parts of Seattle and ended up calling an ambulance for an unconscious girl lying on a sidewalk (a decision that we later learned saved her life). In March of 2012, members of The Minaret editorial staff met with Phoenix and his crew again, joining him on a two-night sting operation to catch a car vandal in the act.
In the early hours of Friday, March 2, six Minaret editors stood waiting on a cold street corner for Phoenix Jones and his crew.
Phoenix rolled up with perennial photographer and Washington native Ryan McNamee. After applying the finishing touches to his own attire, Phoenix provided two of our staffers with bullet-proof vests to be worn for the remainder of the evening. As a group we made our way to meet the rest of the Rain City Superhero Movement group that we would be working with. Briskly walking through back alleys and dark corners, constantly in contact with group members via two-way radios, the superheroes set a tone of complete seriousness mixed with just a touch of surreal spy games. Soon the rest of Phoenix’s crew joined us; fellow superheroes and team members Midnight Jack, Karma, Pitch Black and Ghost. After brief yet somewhat intimidating introductions, we made our way to the secluded parking lot where the car thefts had been occurring.
The Minaret Gets a Crash Course in Stealing Cars
It was there where Midnight Jack, a former career criminal and Phoenix’s go-to man for all things regarding theft, took the lead. Showing the group different locations where previous break-ins had occurred and pointing out numerous piles of broken car window glass, Midnight Jack was quick to note every pile of glass, some fresh and still in clumps of Plexiglass squares. We surveyed three separate lots in all, each a ripe spot for car-thieves and all within walking distance of each other.
Phoenix assigned his team as well the Minaret to various spots and roles for the sting that would occur the following morning, utilizing the tools at hand and recognizing our eagerness to help. After deciding on a final plan, the heroes decided to hit the streets and start a final street walk patrol for the night.
A Final Sweep of the Streets and an Ambulance Call
At first everything was relatively calm; as calm as it can be when five grown men in masks are walking around followed by awed college students.
Turning a corner, the 11 of us walked into a scene virtually everyone can relate to; a drunk man on the ground surrounded by friends. At first, Phoenix hung back, waiting to see if superhero intervention was necessary. It became all too clear that the man was heavily inebriated and unable to support himself, with his purported friends losing interest and moving away once the idea of superhero assistance was thrown on the table.
Together, Phoenix Jones and Minaret Opinion Editor Rich Solomon stepped up and carried him toward his apartment. With the assistance of a confused street vendor and a neighbor, the drunk man was brought inside his apartment building. Once inside the lobby he collapsed and began foaming at the mouth, at which point Phoenix decided it time to call 911. After the ambulance arrived and he was under paramedic supervision, the group moved on, having decided it was best if the rest was left to the professionals.
We spent a few more hours walking the streets, and finally called it a night around 3 a.m. After all, the next night would hold the real action; the group had a date with a car vandal.
Minaret Editors Go Native (Superhero Style)
Friday passed with a buzz of excitement for the members of the Minaret staff. Around 1 a.m. on Saturday morning we joined our costumed friends in what was dubbed “parking lot one.” Phoenix reminded everyone of their part in the sting, with Minaret staffers taking on a variety of roles; everything from photography in one car to visual surveillance in another. Our Managing Editor Joshua Napier posed as a homeless man (clad in a dark sweatshirt over a bullet-proof vest) that wandered the parking lots with Ghost, also in disguise, and monitored any suspicious characters that passed nearby.
For the next hour and a half, the events were pretty repetitive. Some random passerby would linger a moment too long or wander into one of the parking lots, a crew member would call it on the radio and everyone would watch to see if this was the moment the vandal would reveal himself. After the time window closed and 1 a.m. rolled around (the vandal only struck between 11:00 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.) Phoenix decided to call it a night and end the sting.
The End of the Line
Phoenix broke everyone into three groups: Ghost, Midnight Jack and Minaret Asst. News Editor Chelsea Daubar went in one car to do a quick drive through patrol of Pioneer Square. In another car, superheroes Karma and El Cabanero along with Minaret editors Jennifer Bedell and Joshua Napier stayed at the sting site before eventually joining Ghost and the others in a nearby public park.
Together both groups walked on foot to meet up with the final team. Meanwhile, Phoenix walked the streets of Belltown, an area in Seattle known for its high crime rates, with his girlfriend and fellow superhero Purple Reign, photographer McNamee and Minaret Editor Rich Solomon. Eventually everyone reunited on a corner to continue the patrol.
It was then that a different side of Phoenix’s routine was shown. While some citizens of Seattle do not take the superheroes seriously, there is a strong fan base for these masked men and women. Progress slowed as dozens of people stopped the group wanting pictures with Phoenix. Some just wanted to talk to him, to tell him their story or how much they appreciate what he does.
One of the most common phrases heard that night was, “Be safe, Phoenix!” Almost every time his answer was the same. A grin followed by a promising “I’ll try!”
Overall the experience with these Seattle superheroes was unlike any other. And while some see these masked vigilantes as people just wasting time, the Minaret editors appreciated the opportunity to see the Rain City Superhero Movement group’s passion for cleaning up Seattle’s streets. Bottom line: They’re pretty awesome at it.
Chelsea Daubar can be reached at cdaubar@gmail.com.
Rich Solomon can be reached at r.solomon14@gmail.com.