This short description of an experience was posted by John Stark on his Sehome Neighborhood website and is reprinted here with his permission.  As most readers know, John recently retired from decades as a reporter for the Bellingham Herald.  

Samish Way has a history going back decades as a place for drug deals, just as some other sectons of Bellingham also have, such as Railroad Avenue, Maplewood, Texas Street, and a couple others.  We post this so readers have a chance to possibly comment and add more perspectives or experiences.

-------

Here is John's short post.

Just a warning: The intersection where Laurel runs into Abbott, behind the Aloha Motel on the route many of us take to get to Samish Way for trips to high school, Haggen's etc., is now a criminal activity zone. People doing business in this zone do not appreciate the presence of other people. This afternoon..., I was headed down to Haggen's and was stopped behind a big black SUV, expecting him to pull out into the intersection. He stayed where he was. A guy to my left started yelling, "Pull around!" I didn't realize he was yelling at me. Next thing I know, the SUV does pull forward, then pops into reverse and intentionally rammed my car hard enough to crack the bumper. Then he took off. I actually chased him for a few seconds, making a circuit of the Days Inn parking lot, trying to get a plate number, but I only got a partial. Phoned what I had into police. Later on I went on to Haggens--I was going to detour around the Aloha, but then I said, No, I am not going to give them the street. I was also hoping I might see the perpetrator again and get a good plate number--no such luck. I went through there again on the way back, or tried to--but the street was blocked by fire and Medic One. They were hauling a guy out of the Aloha on a stretcher. Terry Bornemann--I'm sure you are well aware of what is going on over there. It has always been sketchy, but it is flat out crazy now.