West Seattle, Washington
29 Friday
Jerica says she knows it’s a long shot, but she’s hoping someone might have information about the hit-and-run crash that injured her dog a week and a half ago:
My dog was hit by a silver sports car on Alki Beach Thursday evening, May 25, in the area near the 2222 apartments [map]. The car didn’t stop and was speeding and passing the car in front of them into oncoming traffic, which was why they likely were unable to to brake in time to prevent hitting her. She’s a Great Dane and would have likely done some damage to the car.
Her dog did survive. If you have any information, contact police and refer to case #2017-200908.
More car-window vandalism – this time, at least 10 victims. That’s how many a police officer told us they had heard of, so far, when we went over to check out multiple reports of windows smashed on cars parked along the southbound side of 49th SW south of Admiral.
(Thanks to everyone who called, texted, and e-mailed about this.) We found nine of them, six of them between SW Forney and SW Hanford [map]. One neighbor whose car wasn’t affected told us it might have happened around 2 am, when he heard some kind of noise, but we talked to some of the victims and they said they didn’t hear or see anything until they went out to their cars this morning.
So far there’s no suspect description, and no word yet of any security video, so if you live in the area and have a camera focused on the street, check it if you haven’t already.
P.S. If you need to contact police and refer to this situation, there’s at least one police-report number already associated with this, according to Tweets by Beat – 17-199427.
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
AUTO THEFT: Darlene‘s silver 2009 Chevy Traverse, personalized plate MGICIAN, was stolen Thursday night/Friday morning near 17th/Dawson. If you see it, call 911, and refer to police report #17-196428.
PREVENTION ADVICE: Auto theft is up in the Southwest Precinct this year – Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Burbridge says that 215 cases were reported in the SWP jurisdiction (West Seattle and South Park) January through April of this year, compared to 179 in the same period last year. Here’s a one-sheet with SPD advice for protecting your vehicle(s).
ROCK THROUGH WINDSHIELD: A texter reports this vandalism in Arbor Heights early today:
It happened near 42nd and 100th.
Also:
NEXT WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL MEETING: The special guest booked by WSCPC president Richard Miller will talk, and answer questions about, gangs – 7 pm June 20th at the precinct, 2300 SW Webster.
Via text and via scanner, we’re hearing about gunfire heard near 11th/12th/Barton [map]. Police were dispatched after multiple 911 reports; some reported a vehicle believed to be associated with what they heard, described as a “small compact with loud exhaust.” No reports of any victims so far, and we’re not hearing (yet) if police have found casings and/or property damage.
Two reader reports, plus crime-prevention advice, in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight.
BURGLAR TRIES TO STEAL BICYCLES: From J, a security-camera image and report:
Last night about 3:30 am a unidentified person broke into our condo garage on the 1300 block of Alki Avenue and attempted to steal our two Bikes. Fortunately the person was not able to break the lock and left.
CAR VANDALIZED: From Monica:
My car was vandalized last night on Beach Dr. Back window was hit with something (no rocks in the car) and glass is completely shattered. It appears to be straight-up vandalism as the car was not broken into.
PREVENTING CAR PROWLS: Received today from Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Burbridge, SPD advice on car-prowl prevention – see it here.
In West Seattle Crime Watch, a call working right now, plus two followups:
GUNFIRE REPORTS: Police are responding right now to reports of gunfire heard near 17th and Henderson, and further east. If you heard it too, be sure to call 911, since that helps them trace the location.
Meantime, two followups:
CAR-PROWL SUSPECT OUT OF JAIL: The 37-year-old man arrested in Fauntlee Hills early yesterday after watchful neighbors called 911 got out of jail tonight. We’re not identifying him since he hasn’t been charged, but the King County Jail Register listed this as his sixth time in jail in the past 11 months, and Superior Court records show that he has an extensive criminal history, going back into his teens. We don’t know who the judge was or why s/he set the suspect free, only that the jail register says he got out on “conditional release” at 7:07 tonight. This doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t be charged, so we’ll keep watching the case.
AUTO THEFT x 2: Back on Monday night, we covered the police search for two men who ran off after abandoning a stolen Subaru wagon on Beach Drive SW. Neither was found, but we’ve learned that they dumped another stolen vehicle before taking the Subaru. First clue came when J e-mailed us this photo that night, saying it was a stolen pickup, according to the tow truck driver:
That was in the 4000 block of California SW, which is also where police had told us the Subaru was taken. Today we finally got the police report narratives, which confirmed that the two men who took the Subaru had left the Chevy pickup behind at the scene. The report added that police spotted the stolen Subaru headed northbound on Fauntleroy Way past Lincoln Park while the responding officer was still talking with its owner. Then the two ditched it on Beach Drive (shaved keys were found in the ignition and dropped near the vehicle, the report says). As for where the pickup truck was stolen – all we know is that it’s described in the police report as a King County Sheriff’s Office case.
We heard much of this unfold on the scanner early today, but not enough for a report until the Block Watch captain sent this in:
:We reported, and SPD arrested, a car prowler on our block, 8800 block of 42nd Ave SW, last night/this am @ 12:30 AM.
From our front window we observed a man getting out of the car that is not working parked across the street … This was suspicious as that car does not move. The suspect moved down the block, zig zagging, trying every car and getting into some and sitting – probably stealing. By this time we had called 911. SPD response was within 3 min. They were able to apprehend the suspect … and they took him to jail. Hope he spent the night thinking about his actions! … Please keep a sharp eye out for any suspicious behavior and don’t be shy about calling 911. Their quick response time was commendable. We had no less than 8 SPD cars on the block within a few minutes of our call.
Response times, of course, can vary depending on what else was going on … before that, it was pretty quiet in this area. There was also a big response this morning when a neighbor near 25th/Roxbury called in a report of someone entering a house through a window .. the house turned out to be “registered as vacant,” according to police-radio traffic. We don’t know how that one turned out.
Speaking of strengthening crime prevention and safety in your neighborhood – Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Burbridge just sent word that registration is open for this year’s Night Out – Tuesday, August 1st:
National Night Out registration is officially open! Registration remains open until 5 pm on Monday July 31st. Community members can visit seattle.gov/police/community-policing/night-out to register and access printable invitations, street closure signs, and logos for your event.
Night Out is a national event promoted in Seattle by Seattle Police Department Crime Prevention. It is designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, increase neighborhood support in anti-crime efforts, and unite our communities.
Two reader reports tonight, plus new crime-prevention advice:
CAR PROWL ON VIDEO: From Steve in east Admiral:
Just a quick notice about a car prowl that occurred early yesterday morning in the Belvidere district, on 37th Ave SW between Stevens & Lander. The prowl was at approximately 3:00 am and involved our Camry. Lots of stuff strewn about in the car, but the only things taken were a cheap car charger, my Ray-Ban Wayfarer (original) sunglasses and an inexpensive portable electric air compressor (tire pump) in the trunk. I’ve attached a video from our neighbor showing the van in question; you see it cruise slowly, stop by our car (through the shrubbery), then pull slightly over and turn off their lights.
I’ve filed a police report and they have a still image of the vehicle. I just wanted to get the word out to our neighbors.
CONDO BREAK-IN: Bill from Duwamish Head reports his condo building was broken into last night:
It is the same M.O. as previous break-ins here and along Harbor, Alki, and Beach condominiums. Thief or thieves cut through the metal siding to gain access.
We’re following up to ask what if anything was taken. And speaking of burglaries …
BURGLARY PREVENTION ADVICE AND MORE: Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Burbridge sent her newest newsletter today:
As noted at the end of the newsletter (PDF version here), along with other bonus information, you can get onto Burbridge’s list by e-mailing her at jennifer.burbridge@seattle.gov – and you’ll get the newsletter sent directly to your inbox.
Three reader reports to share before the long weekend ends:
STREET ROBBERY: Eric‘s son was robbed around 5:30 pm in Highland Park last Wednesday.
My son (who’s 14) was walking, I believe, on 12th between Trenton and Henderson and he was robbed, for his shoes. A man, appearing to be in his early twenties snuck up behind him, claimed he had a weapon, and told my son to give him his shoes. He did and then the man ran off, at which point my son called 911. No luck in finding him or the shoes but I thought it might be something people would want to be aware of. It’s a bummer it has to be this way but kids should try to walk in groups and keep their eyes open.
KEEPSAKE DVDs, CDs STOLEN: From Betty:
On Thursday I discovered my PODS had been broken into on 45th between Alaska and Edmunds. They got 2 air conditioners and a lot of family memories, like the birth of my child and my original music (I’m a songwriter). If someone sees a box of family DVDs or CDs with home labels dumped, please contact me. I don’t care about stuff I can replace with money. The other stuff is priceless.
CAR VANDALISM: Kylie says this happened around 3:15 pm this afternoon in Highland Park:
At first she thought it was a car prowl – though there was nothing in her car to take but grocery bags — and noticed that a neighbor across the street had a busted rear window too. Then “a neighbor from 3 blocks down stopped by and reported his car was also hit. … He said a car drove down 12th and guys are intentionally hitting windows, not stopping to prowl. He said at least 4 cars on our street were hit that he saw.”
7:48 PM: If you’re noticing the police presence in and near the 6700 block of Beach Drive SW [map], here’s what the search is about, according to SPD radio – two men stole a car, dumped it there, got out and ran. One suspect is reported to have run uphill toward 48th SW, another one southbound on Beach Drive. Descriptions we’ve heard are partial – one described as Hispanic, around 30, white tank shirt, jeans; the other described as white, mid-30s, 6’2″, baseball cap, red shirt. We haven’t heard where the car was stolen from – we’ve only heard it described as a Subaru.
8:03 PM: Still searching, with a K-9 team among the responders.
8:35 PM: Just talked with police who were with the stolen car (photo added above), whose owner is now retrieving it. They told us it was taken in the 4000 block of California. Meantime, a second K-9 has joined the still very active search.
9:39 PM: No further updates. If we don’t hear anything more, we’ll follow up with SPD in the morning.
Tonight’s roundup:
MOBILE PRECINCT STILL AT ALKI: We’ve been checking every day/night; this evening’s photo is from 57th/Alki around 8:20 pm, just before sunset. Very busy at the beach. We also saw bicycle officers. No major trouble reported so far but shortly after we checked out the Alki area, this happened to the south:
BEACH DRIVE CRASH: Mark sent the photo from a crash response at Beach Drive/Atlas within the past hour. It cleared fairly quickly – before we even were able to turn around (having just left the area) to go check it out. No injuries reported.
CAR PROWLER ON VIDEO: Brian shared this security video recorded early Friday just north of Lincoln Park:
He was awakened at 4:40 am “to the sound of my car alarm going off. Went through security footage and discovered this brazen individual swooping into our neighborhood and attempting to break into my truck. Luckily the alarm did its job and the guy sped off empty handed. Keep an eye out for a light-colored SUV with a roof rack/basket.”
ANYONE MISSING THIS PURSE? The photo is from Bri’Anna:
She says it was dumped in the 4100 block of Delridge Way SW: “They took everything but the earphones and keys. Keys are pretty important and at times hard to replace, so I thought I’d share.” She turned it in at the Southwest Precinct, so contact police if it’s yours.
Also ditched, likely stolen – these two bicycles:
RED BICYCLE: Andrea sent the photo above: “As I was driving through my family’s neighborhood this afternoon, I spotted this red Nishiki bicycle. Not sure if anyone had reported one stolen in West Seattle around Fairmount Park. Found at SW Brandon St and 40th Ave SW. I have brought it to my yard for now …” Yours? We’ll put you in touch.
And this one:
PURPLE BICYCLE: From Cass: “I noticed this bike on Roxbury near the corner of 30th SW a couple days ago. It’s still there, so I’m assuming the owner doesn’t know and hope you can get the word out.”
Two reader reports to share:
CAR BREAK-IN: From Jessica:
My car was broken into (Wednesday night) in the Seaview area at 48th Ave SW and SW Juneau. The person used some sort of remote keyless device as there was no smashed windows/forced entry and the car was 100% locked. They rummaged around to find not that much: some loose change and a couple old gift cards with probably less than $15 left on them.
BICYCLE FOUND: Behind Charlestown Center (3727 California SW):
The finder, who sent the photo, says: “Some cobwebs and pollen on the bike lead me to believe it has been there a while.”
(Tuesday night photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Just after 9 am Tuesday, we noted here that a City Council committee had scheduled a briefing today about gun violence.
Just before 9 pm Tuesday, West Seattle’s second shooting in three days took the life of a 23-year-old man.
This morning’s briefing ended a little over an hour ago, and while much of it was focused on citywide trends, prepared long before the deadly shots last night on Alki Beach, councilmembers did ask repeatedly about the case and what will be done to try to prevent more violence and to reach out to neighbors.
The stats regarding the number of gunfire incidents/shootings are through May 15th, councilmembers were told. So that does not include the two West Seattle shootings in the past three days – Sunday in High Point, last night on Alki.
About the deadly shooting itself. SPD management at the briefing said the same thing that had been sent out as an SPD Blotter update earlier in the morning – it’s not believed to be random. Some sort of confrontation preceded it, with a large group in the area “because it was a nice day.”
West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold – not a member of the committee but in attendance – asked about plans for increased patroling on Alki. The main part of the answer: Bicycle patroling was being stepped up.
She also asked about use of the mobile precinct – after years without one, the SW Precinct got its own in late 2015 (WSB file photo above) – and how that’s decided. It’s up to the precinct commander, she was told.
At that point, we messaged SW Precinct leadership and talked with Operations Lt. Ron Smith. The mobile precinct has spent some time on Alki already this year, he said, but they have to balance it with deployment to our area’s other trouble spots – Westwood, Roxhill Park, Don Armeni Boat Ramp (last weekend), South Park, among others.
Councilmember Lorena González, the West Seattle-residing at-large councilmember who chairs the committee that was briefed today, said she had heard good things about the mobile precinct’s use and wondered about its funding and staffing. She also asked what SPD’s plans are regarding reaching out to neighbors and others worried about what happened last night and about safety in general. She referred to a woman who had spoken about the Alki shooting, emotionally, during the public-comment period at the start of the meeting.
The response started out with a mention of Community Police Team outreach and eventually circled around to a suggestion that SPD could call a community meeting to provide information and answer concerns. And what we hear at every police briefing at neighborhood meetings was reiterated – call 911 if you see something that makes you “feel uncomfortable … we need to come out and see what’s going on.”
Again, this briefing was scheduled long before what happened last night, and was more intended to address a wave of shootings in the South Precinct jurisdiction earlier this year, as well as citywide trends. Toplines on that included SPD reps saying that Seattle’s violent-crime rate is lower than it was a few years ago – same number of incidents, more residents.
But the number of gunfire incidents this year is higher than previous years, and here’s some of what’s being done to address that:
SPD says they’re looking at “street segments” where there are repeated problems and trying to analyze how to address it – for example, one such location somewhere in the city was a convenience store, so they were looking at talking with the business owner about better lighting. (There’s no grant money to help with that, so far as SPD knows, though – that was noted in response to a question.) Somewhere else in the city, a house that was repeatedly fired at was once the home of gang members, and though they had moved, their “opponents” continued to go by and shoot at it.
What about public perception that safety could be improved by police visibility in known trouble spots? Herbold asked. SPD says they do ask officers to drive through such areas, spend “down time” in such areas. Data-gathering is a big part of their effort to reduce the problem. So is regional collaboration to put what happens into context and try to prevent future instances, and the recognition that some of the trouble stems from people “coming into and out of our city.”
Collaboration with other agencies includes tracing shells/firearms with help of ATF.
Video of the entire briefing should be available via Seattle Channel‘s video archives by day’s end, and we’ll embed it here when it is. (Added: Here’s the video.)
We’ve also asked the Southwest Precinct for any additional details of what’s planned in terms of a presence on Alki for the upcoming holiday weekend, which is likely to be a busy one at the beach with sunshine predicted to return starting Friday and continuing into next week.
(Photos and video by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
9:12 PM: First we got a call about gunfire heard on Alki – then, a big emergency response for an “assault with weapons” call at 62nd and Alki. More to come.
9:19 PM: WSB’s Christopher Boffoli is at the scene and says a victim is being worked on in an aid unit. A witness tells him the same thing we heard from some readers – multiple shots. Police have been looking for a vehicle, described via scanner as a gray Mercury Marquis, last seen heading out across the bridge.
9:41 PM: SPD is sending a public-information officer to Alki to brief media. Detectives are on the way too. There is no information so far about the victim’s condition – only that they have been taken to Harborview Medical Center.
9:48 PM: More police continue arriving at the scene – Gang Unit and Homicide Unit among them. Please note that the presence of the latter does NOT mean anyone has died – they respond to certain non-fatal incidents as well.
10:12 PM: The PIO has arrived so more information should be available soon. And a side note, as we reported 13 hours ago, SPD has a scheduled City Council committee briefing about gun violence tomorrow morning – this will certainly be part of it.
10:45 PM: Police briefing wrapped up. (Added – here it is in its unedited entirety:)
Victim in his early 20s, life-threatening injuries. No suspects in custody so far. Both SPD and a witness with whom we just spoke say it was preceded by a large gathering, and then some kind of disturbance, and then gunfire. The witness said everyone then scattered – except the victim, who had fallen to the ground.
11:46 PM: Police recap has just appeared on SPD Blotter – the only additional detail is that the victim was shot “several times.” Still no word of arrests or suspect/vehicle description; anyone with information is asked to call police.
ADDED EARLY WEDNESDAY: A commenter identifying herself as the victim’s mother says he did not survive.
8:03 AM WEDNESDAY: A Harborview Medical Center spokesperson confirms to WSB that the victim died.
8:38 AM: Police have updated the SPD Blotter report, adding that the victim was 23 years old, and that they believe he was targeted, that this was not random.
4:13 PM: The Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the victim as Jordan D. Thomas.
9:04 AM: In discussion following recent gunfire incidents in our area – with or without victims/damage – someone invariably asks what elected officials are doing about it. One answer just came in via the agenda for tomorrow morning’s meeting of the City Council’s Gender Equity, Safe Communities, and New Americans Committee – an item titled “Seattle Police Department Briefing on Gun Violence” is first up at 9:30 am. No documentation is attached to the agenda yet; we’ll check back. The SPD briefers are scheduled to include Chief Operating Officer Brian Maxey. The committee is headed by 
West Seattle-residing at-large Councilmember Lorena González; its meeting starts at 9:30 am Wednesday at City Hall – if you can’t be there, you can watch live via Seattle Channel, online or cable 21.
P.S. As of SPD’s most-recent SeaStat briefing last Wednesday – see page 5 of this slide deck – shots-fired incidents were ahead of this point last year, with 155 reported citywide (the graphic at right is from that slide). The Southwest Precinct area – West Seattle and South Park – has the second-highest number of them, though at 27 so far this year, that’s a distant second to the 72 reported in the South Precinct.
5 PM UPDATE: The slide deck for tomorrow’s briefing is now available here.
New information just in from Seattle Police on the High Point gunfire mentioned here Sunday afternoon. Though no victim was found after police arrived at the scene at 35th/Morgan, SPD says that about half an hour after the gunfire was reported, “dispatch notified officers a 20-year-old male was dropped off at Harborview Medical Center with a non life-threatening gunshot wound to the leg. The victim reported he was putting gas in his car … when he heard multiple gunshots, one of which struck him.” Police found “multiple shell casings and other possible evidence” and say that witnesses described “two possible suspects, one a female in her 20’s with blonde hair and a male in his late 20’s with dreadlocks, possibly firing shots at a silver sedan that was last seen speeding away from the scene.”
Two reader reports:
THE THIEVES WHO DIDN’T WANT THE CLUBS: From Randy at 39th SW/SW Andover:
Husband found both our unlocked cars rummaged through this morning around 5:30 am. Small amount of cash taken, Bushnell golf scope, men’s dress shirt, reusable shopping bags, CDs, car maintenance book, insurance cards, ball/hitch unit. Luckily he recovered his golf clubs near the water tower at 39th and 40th.
VISITORS VICTIMIZED: From Sara in the 4400 block of 52nd SW:
We had family visiting from Oregon and their car was prowled outside our home (Saturday) night. iPad and gift cards were stolen from inside the vehicle.
P.S. Another reminder that the next crime/safety-related discussion in our area is 7 pm tomorrow (Tuesday, May 23rd), when the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meets at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster); agenda details are here.
Thanks for the tips. Multiple people reported hearing gunfire near 35th and Morgan in High Point, and now police have Morgan blocked off east of 35th as they investigate. No victims reported; we don’t know yet what if any evidence of gunfire they’ve found.
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
CAR WINDOW SMASHED: The photo above is from Deborah in the 4100 block of Beach Drive SW, who says, “My car, parked in the apartment parking lot, had its rear passenger window smashed in around 5:00-5:20 this afternoon. Nothing was removed from the car, and no signs of tampering to the ignition and steering column. Called it in to the police, but they’ve not had any similar reports in the area.”
PACKAGE PROWLER: The photo above is from a reader who says this person was prowling their neighborhood on Thursday afternoon, in the 5600 block of 40th SW, “looking under vehicles and pretending to check the garden of the area. He looked over our gate for packages or anything that could be grabbed; he has rain boots on that come just below the knee, green shorts, a black hoodie with an insignia, black hat, sunglasses, and it looked to be dark brown hair.” One neighbor reported a stolen item; the suspect was reported to be associated with a silver Ford Focus Coupe, tinted windows. Police were notified.
TUESDAY: WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF THERE WAS AN INTRUDER IN YOUR HOME? That’s the focus of next Tuesday’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting, 6:30 pm at Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster). The presentation will feature Community Police Team Officer Todd Wiebke. All welcome – in a Block Watch or not.
As recommended by prosecutors in a plea agreement, residential drug treatment was the main sentence ordered Friday for Michael E. Maine, who pleaded guilty to selling heroin at the now-closed Junction bar his family owned, the Corner Pocket. Court documents from the Friday afternoon sentencing hearing show that King County Superior Court Judge Barbara Mack ordered the residential version of the Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative for Maine, who is 39. He is now ordered to spend three to six months in residential treatment, followed by two years of community custody (probation). The sentence also includes a year of suspended jail time. As reported here earlier this month, Maine pleaded guilty to three drug charges and one count of attempted unlawful gun possession. The Corner Pocket has been closed since police served warrants there and at Maine’s West Seattle home the night of his arrest last December; what’s next for the space is not yet publicly known.
Can you help find a suspected killer? The King County Sheriff’s Office has just identified a suspect in the May 7th murder of James Little in White Center, and released his photo:
A Murder 1 warrant has been issued for Billy D. Williams, 30, of Oregon, for the May 7th murder of Seattle resident James Little, 30.
Little was attending a birthday party at a bar in the 9800 block of 16 Ave SW when a group of women got into a fight. The fight ended up outside and the women eventually separated.
Little approached a group of people across the street when Williams, who was in the group, pulled a gun and shot him in the head, killing him.
Detectives have not released a motive for the shooting but said Williams has ties to Albany, Oregon and Seattle. Williams is described as a black man, 30, 5’8”, medium build.
If you have information regarding the whereabouts of Williams you can call 911 or you may remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $1000 by calling Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
Two reader reports:
TIRE SLASHING: From a Sunrise Heights resident: “We had two tires (the road side) slashed on our company van last night. Sitting in front of our house. Feels very personal, but was wondering if their were any other reports in the area — 32nd and Holden.”
FOUND BICYCLE: John sent the photo:
He says, “This bike has been sitting at this spot for at least 3 weeks. I saw it before I left town at the end of April and it’s still leaning against the same telephone pole. It’s at the corner of 59th Ave SW and 60th Ave SW (between SW Charlestown and SW Andover). It’s a blue Sekai bike.”
By Randall Hauk
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Opioid addiction continues to be the root cause behind much of West Seattle’s property crime problems, Captain Pierre Davis explained at last night’s meeting of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council.
Opening the meeting, the Southwest Precinct commander updated community leaders and interested residents on the West Seattle/South Park police force’s progress on a number of crime-related issues. Later in the meeting, SPD’s citywide Traffic Enforcement Section commander was the special guest.
First, trends and issues: Davis says car prowls are down 22 percent from last year over the first four months of 2017, but that there continues to be a lot of auto thefts occurring in West Seattle neighborhoods (neighborhood-crime statistics are available via the SPD Crime Dashboard). While police continue to track cases and make a significant number of arrests, Davis says that reacting to crimes after the fact will have minimal impact on the issue.
“As the chief says, we will never arrest our way out of problems like this,” said Davis.
The captain reiterated advice about assuring valuables are not left in vehicles to help prevent becoming a victim, especially with the warmer weather of summer months approaching, when Davis says activity tends to rise. Read More
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