Honestly there is nothing keeping you out of pikes place. It's as busy as always. Nobody is going to attack you in broad daylight. This is so hyperbolic it's laughable. Just don't go traipsing about alone downtown in the middle of the night and you are safe.

The city is bigger and has big city problems. Homelessness shouldn't be criminalized. Addicts need help. Things clearly need to get better, but pushing camps around the city is expensive and extremely disruptive to people trying to survive. The city needs to improve, but unless your camping on the sidewalk you're probably safe.