West Seattle, Washington
19 Thursday
2:58 PM: A Chief Sealth International High School staffer who has just spoken with the family of 15-year-old Westcrest Park stabbing victim Derek Juarez-Lopez just told us the school’s announcement of a vigil tonight was incorrect – the family actually had one last night, and is NOT planning one tonight. Just wanted to let you know in case you were planning on going. Meantime, we just checked with Seattle Police, who tell us they have no new information to release in the case, though detectives are continuing to pursue leads, and are still welcoming tips – 206-233-5000. Meantime, the online crowdfunding campaign for the family continues here.
ADDED THURSDAY NIGHT: The tribute to Derek, nicknamed “Peachy,” has grown:
(UPDATED 4:08 PM with new information about victim, how to help family, vigil planned)
(WSB photo – CSI team investigating on Tuesday)
9:46 AM: An update this morning from Seattle Police, one day after a 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death at Westcrest Park. Detectives now believe robbery was the motive for the killing. They’re not going into further details so far, and there’s no suspect information to share, but they wanted to get that information out as they “actively pursue leads,” and they are asking again for any and all potentially helpful information – you can call the tip line at 206-233-5000. As reported in our Tuesday coverage, the victim was found by passers-by after walking out of the woods on the south side of the park and collapsing near 6th SW/SW Cambridge. He was rushed to Harborview Medical Center, where he died.
4:08 PM: Thanks to the community member who sent this link for a just-established crowdfunding page for the family, on which the victim is identified as Derek Juarez-Lopez. His family has spoken with The Seattle Times; their story says he was an incoming Chief Sealth International High School sophomore, something we had been trying to get the district to confirm, while also asking if a letter would be sent to families. Classes started at CSIHS (and other Seattle Public Schools) today.
4:41 PM: Here’s the letter families have received from Chief Sealth’s principal Aida Fraser-Hammer – note that it mentions a vigil at the park tomorrow night:
There comes a time in the life of every community that events happen that are difficult, painful and outside the scope of our everyday activities in school. It saddens me to start the school year with the news that one of our incoming sophomores died unexpectedly yesterday. I have been in touch with the family to offer support and let them know the school community is thinking of them as they grieve the tragic loss of their son. I’m sending you this letter to update you on the facts, to assure you that we are doing everything we can to support our students, and to suggest ways you may help your children.
Yesterday, you may have heard about a stabbing in West Seattle. We were notified yesterday afternoon that one of our students, Derek Juarez Lopez, was the victim. Derek was going to be a 10th grader this year. When we talked with Derek’s family, they wanted us to know how much he loved his family, school and friends. They also let us know that he was particularly excited about starting the new school year at Chief Sealth and they gave permission to disclose his name so we could be the ones who informed our students and his friends.
Because this happened just yesterday, we all have more questions than answers. We are in close contact with the Seattle Police Department to ensure that we are aware of any new information. At this time, there are no known suspects. As we learn more we will share this information with our students.
When a classmate dies, it may trigger all kinds of expected and even unexpected reactions in our students, especially if the person who has died is a peer or close friend. Today, we brought in additional counseling resources and will continue to provide support as needed for students. . Our students have been demonstrating a great deal of compassion and kindness. I am very proud of how our staff, students and families are supporting each other.
Parents and guardians have important roles in helping students understand such tragic events. We have encouraged our students to talk with their families about their ideas, thoughts and beliefs. Please call us at 252-8550 if we can help in any way. We believe that it is important to understand and respect each child’s experience. We are also discussing personal safety and will continue to discuss this throughout the school year. Your family’s focus on student safety will help reinforce this message.
Our hearts and thoughts go to Derek’s family. The family plans to have a candlelight vigil at Westcrest Park tomorrow at 7:00 PM. As we learn of more ways to support them, we will let you know. Our community is close and having a tragedy such as this occur makes me realize what a wonderful school community we have at Chief Sealth International School. I want to share our staff’s appreciation of your support and patience during our time of grief.
Sincerely,
Aida Fraser-Hammer
Principal
A memorial for Derek is up now at the site where he was found yesterday morning, 6th and Cambridge:
Again, 206-233-5000 if you have any information that might be related to this crime.
THURSDAY UPDATE: We are now told the vigil information was incorrect.
(UPDATED 4:54 PM with police reporting that victim was a teenager and that he has died)
(WSB photos)
9:22 AM: A Seattle Fire “assault with weapons” response is arriving at 6th SW and SW Cambridge, on the edge of Westcrest Park (map). According to radio transmissions, a man believed to be in his mid-20s has multiple stab wounds. Police are searching. We’re on the way to find out more.
9:29 AM: Life-threatening injuries, according to medics’ radio discussion, which also says the man was found “on the street,” no weapon found, circumstances unknown.
9:37 AM: Our crew has arrived and says that roads around the scene are being closed off as the search continues.
9:45 AM: You may see a helicopter searching the area too. Meantime, early details have been published to SPD Blotter, including:
… Just before 9:15 AM, the victim, a man in 20’s, walked out of the woods and collapsed on a sidewalk near 6th Avenue SW and SW Cambridge Street. The man said he’d been stabbed and passersby called 911.
9:51 AM: Our crew confirms Guardian One is over the area. We’ve also spoken with a lieutenant who confirms what’s been reported previously and says that Homicide Unit detectives have been sent.
10:38 AM: No new information yet, but the investigation continues. If you have any information, call 911.
4:54 PM: Police have just provided an update – saying that the victim has died, and that he was a teenager, 15 years old, not an adult as originally believed:
The victim has died from his injuries. Detectives have confirmed he is 15 years old, not in his 20’s as previously reported. This crime occurred at the southern portion of Westcrest Park. Police are investigating and are asking anyone with information about this case to call 206-233-5000.
We just talked with SPD spokesperson Det. Mark Jamieson and he confirmed that’s all the new information they have – they want to hear from anyone who might have seen or heard anything that can help with this “very active homicide investigation.” This is the third homicide investigation this year in West Seattle – the first one was the May shooting on Alki that killed a 23-year-old man (still no arrests); the second one was the baseball-bat killing of a 24-year-old man at an encampment over Highway 509 in June (two people arrested and charged).
WEDNESDAY NOTE: We have published an update on the case here.
Jenni and Todd Watkins were going to spend a little well-deserved time relaxing today. Instead, they’ve been at their Dutchboy Coffee stand at 16th and Holden in Highland Park all day repairing damage done by burglars early this morning. The burglars took the door off its hinges – and made off with point-of-sale-processing equipment as well as items including two containers of milk. Video from the SeaMart convenience store next door shows two people approaching the stand just before 5 am, wearing gloves:
The video’s been shown to police. If you have any information, you can refer to SPD case number 17-328373. And yes, Dutchboy Coffee will be back open tomorrow, 6:30 am.
First Lorraine in Arbor Heights sent that photo, reporting, “Kia car hood on lawn, just west of California SW and SW 98th, after loud scraping and crash noises early this morning.” We asked for a larger version before publishing, and that came in this afternoon with an update: “The rest of the completely stripped Kia car, sans engine, was dumped a couple blocks down the hill on 44th Ave SW, and the police have already taken action.”
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
STOLEN BIKE RACK: From Peter:
On Tuesday, August 29th between 1:35-2:50 pm, while parked in the West Seattle LA Fitness parking garage, our hitch-mounted 4-bike rack was stolen off the back of our car. We had a locking hitch-pin on it, but the thief must have broken it off somehow! The rack is a Yakima HoldUp +2 bike extension, allowing it to hold 4 bikes.
There were specific issues with this rack that would allow us to identify it if found. It’s not a small rack, so should be fairly easy to identify if it turns up!
DUMPED BICYCLE: This one was reported by Lisa in Fauntlee Hills:
Wondering if anybody know anything about this bike?
This bike is locked up on my property.
It showed up Tuesday, weirdly stuffed in my tree and LOCKED to the fence.
After Gatewood stabbing suspect Ryan Cox refused to appear in court for arraignment this past Monday and Wednesday, King County Superior Court Judge Sean O’Donnell signed an order this morning authorizing deputies to use “reasonable force … if necessary” to make him appear. We don’t know whether force was required – morning crash coverage kept us from getting to the downtown courthouse this time – but we do know, from online documents, that Cox did appear. He pleaded not guilty to the charge of second-degree assault filed against him, and his next hearing, for case-setting, was scheduled for September 7th. He remains jailed in lieu of $150,000 bail.
6:15 PM: Two notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:
DUMPED TOOLS: Know anyone who’s had carpet-laying tools stolen? Dan sent the photo:
They were found “on the median strip of SW Alaska St. between 46th and 45th Ave SW.”
RYAN COX CASE UPDATE: For the second time in three days, we went to the King County Courthouse this morning, where Gatewood stabbing suspect Ryan Cox was scheduled to be arraigned – to enter a plea to the charge of second-degree assault filed days after the August 8th attack. And again, the morning calendar ended after two and a half hours without his appearance – he again “declined to appear,” according to the document filed at midday saying the hearing is now rescheduled to 8:30 am tomorrow. We asked King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe what happens if this continues. “We always argue that a defendant needs to be present in court for arraignment. Arraignment will eventually be completed. The Court can also issue an order allowing the jail to use reasonable efforts to bring a defendant to court.” (For the record, at least one other defendant on the morning calendar was described in court as declining to appear.)
CAR PROWL – ADDED 6:40 PM: One more reader report, just received from Ayla:
My car just got broken into last night that is parked right in my driveway on 17TH AVE SW! :( It was completely rummaged through — everything in the console and glove compartment pulled out onto the seat. They took my Apple desktop that I just bought from Employee sale. It was covered on the back seat and since it was heavy, I was waiting for my son to come home to carry it inside the house. They also took my makeup bag, sunglasses, and some groceries.
Such a low life and horrible heart! They must have needed it so bad for their drug money!I have to work overtime to purchase this computer! If they could go out and steal, why not use that energy to work for a guaranteed money? Why waste time and make other people’s life miserable! These thieves are heartless! They do not have values, morals, and discipline. I hope they catch these prowlers soon!
The photo and report are from BrianD:
Our house sitter found this bike near the Fauntleroy Ferry dock over the weekend, Silver/gray with red front forks. To claim, give us some sort of identifying feature – what is printed on seat, what is printed on handlebars, or what sort of markings are on the frame. If not claimed in a few days, it will be turned over to SPD.
Yours? Contact us and we’ll connect you.
The photo and report – more of a request, really – are from Hillary:
My wheelchair-bound mother and I have had to keep our sidewalk at 24th Avenue SW and SW Holden closed until we can get a retaining wall replaced. Our retaining wall failed due to rain and contractor error in February. The city insists we keep the sidewalk closed and pay to do so. We have had to put up sidewalk-closed signs at our own expense. They have been repeatedly stolen and vandalized. It has happened again this week. Both signs, which cost us $152, were stolen. We get the wall replaced in September. We have spent several thousand dollars to keep the sidewalk closed already. We can’t keep replacing signs. Could you please appeal to the community on our behalf? We just want our signs back. No questions asked.
In West Seattle Crime Watch, three reader reports plus a court-case followup:
BURGLARY: From Wendy:
I live at 54th & Dakota on Genesee Hill. I was away from 10:30 am – noon this morning and returned to find my back door kicked in and my bedroom ransacked. We have a 6-foot fence and both gates were locked, so they must have scaled the fence. Many drawers’ contents strewn about, furniture stacked on the bed to facilitate closet access. So far it appears jewelry and cash were taken. Have not yet been able to do a complete inventory. Our neighbor noticed a red Camaro (guess) with two white stripes parked beside our house during the time – may or may not be related. The police officer investigating said it appeared that we interrupted them, based upon the scene – looked mid-ransack. One missing ring had huge sentimental value. They even tore the wrapping paper on the box containing my gram’s ashes. Gutted.
BICYCLE THEFT: Sonia just moved to Alki last month and has been “welcomed” by bicycle theft. Between August 18th and 21st, she says, “My bike was stolen from the back porch of my house (near Bonair/Alki) where it was locked up. Chain was cut. Cannondale Quik 4 women’s bike — black frame with blue and white accents and accessories as well (headlight, taillight, bell, and rack on the back) Worth about $750+ from REI. Reported to police and filed in their stolen registry. Police said if it turns up at a pawn shop they’ll know from the bike’s serial number.”
(added) PACKAGE THEFT: Marion reports that:
… package thieves hit us this morning between Brandon/Findlay just south of the Junction. Came home to find empty Amazon box on my doorstep – contents missing. Delivery tracking notes indicate package was “delivered” sometime around 9:30 am. Joke’s on them I suppose since box only contained cornhole game bean bags colors navy and gray (16 bags total). Guess it’s a reminder to switch to office or locker delivery if possible…
CASEY CARLSTEDT UPDATE: While we were at King County Superior Court this morning for the hearing that didn’t happen, we did get an update on another West Seattle defendant, Casey Carlstedt.
We last mentioned Carlstedt in April, when he was charged in a bicycle-theft case that had been featured here on WSB and was solved with readers’ help. By that time he had been in jail about a month, and he’s remained there ever since, also charged in misdemeanor cases from harassment to reckless driving, held in lieu of what the jail register lists as $6,000 total bail. Today his case came up for a status check – he wasn’t present, but lawyers told the judge that he is about a week away from a competency evaluation, and what happens next in his case depends on results of that.
(August 8th WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
We’ve just left the King County Courthouse downtown, where Gatewood stabbing suspect Ryan Cox was scheduled to appear for arraignment this morning. These are usually brief appearances, one in a long list of hearings brought sequentially before one judge, but by the time the 8:30 am arraignment calendar ended at 11 am, there’d been no sign or mention of him, so we checked with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Spokesperson Dan Donohoe tells WSB that Cox “refused to appear,” so the arraignment is rescheduled for the 8:30 am calendar on Wednesday. The hearing is for Cox to enter a plea to the charge of second-degree assault that was filed on August 14th, six days after the August 8th attack at California/Orchard that sent a 40-year-old man to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. In the meantime, Cox, who is 39, remains in jail in lieu of $150,000 bail, which was set when he was charged, after he refused twice to appear for a bail hearing .
The readers who spotted these are hoping for reunions or at least mystery-solving:
ABANDONED PICKUP?: Jeff sent the photo and says it “showed up on 46th St between Austin and Kenyon on Wednesday, Aug 16th. After 7 days of no movement it was called in. Hasn’t been tagged yet.” (SUNDAY UPDATE: Jeff says the pickup was gone this morning.)
ABANDONED BICYCLE: Missing a Mongoose-brand bicycle? Kersti says one was left in front of her house near Lincoln Park last night; she’s taken it in for safekeeping. Contact us if you have had one stolen and we’ll connect you.
West Seattle Crime Watch reports:
BICYCLE STOLEN: Joe says this happened at California/Admiral:
My girlfriend’s bike was stolen sometime (Thursday) night or this morning. It’s a Kona Africabike. Black color, single speed, with a front rack and rear rack. Next to the bike shop – had a cable lock, and the bike has a rear wheel lock. So I imagine whoever took the bike must have had wire cutters and a truck. Or just took it on the bus. Just want to keep an eye out for it and warn others to remember. Keep your bikes inside.
BUSINESS BREAK-INS: Three are listed on Tweets by Beat (the Southwest Precinct automated tweets can be reviewed any time on our Crime Watch page) – We’ve learned that the 4700 block of 42nd SW break-in was at Season’s Salon on the ground floor of Mural. A business about a block away reported finding a cash drawer dumped by their recycling bin, and the possibility of a connection was being checked out. Meantime, we don’t know which businesses were hit in the other two break-ins – one was reported in the 4100 block of California SW, the other in the 6500 block of California SW.
COUNTERFEIT CASH: The West Seattle Junction Association is also warning businesses that a retailer got a counterfeit $50 bill on Wednesday.
TAGGING VANDALISM: Big ugly tags overnight on the wall by KeyBank in the heart of The Junction – cleanup is planned, if it hasn’t happened already.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes:
WESTWOOD SEARCH: Thanks for the texts. Just northeast of Westwood Village, the King County Sheriff’s Office search is related to this car:
Deputies tell us they tried to pull it over and the driver wouldn’t stop. Finally he pulled over, got out and bolted. The description: White man, white T-shirt, possibly a scrape-type injury to the head, and “lips” tattooed on his neck. If you think you see/have seen him, call 911.
(added) And yes, this is why the Guardian One helicopter is/was in the area.
(8:53 PM) Commenters say the suspect was caught. (Texted photo added)
,
We’re headed back to see what we can verify.
(9:05 PM) We talked with SPD officers who originally responded to back up KCSO. They arrested the suspect after their K-9 found him in blackberries near 23rd/Trenton. He’s been turned iver to KCSO.
(Back to original report) Also tonight, another dumped, likely stolen bicycle:
BICYCLE FOUND: Marci says this bicycle turned up on Aikins SW, which is upslope from Beach Drive, and no one in the neighborhood recognizes it. Let us know if you know whose it is.
Just as we were headed over to Arbor Heights to find out why police were searching for someone, we got word they had found the suspect they were seeking. Police at the scene tell us the call started as a report of possible domestic violence, and as they arrived, the suspect took off running. They found him, with the help of a police K-9, near 37th SW and SW 97th. We’re told the suspect has an arrest warrant in an unrelated case, so he’s being taken into custody in connection with that, for starters. No injuries in the original call, so far are we know.
The newest reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
STOLEN CAR: Deborah hopes you can be on the lookout:
Our 1998 black Honda CRV was stolen last night in front of our home on 48th Ave. SW just off Admiral Way. License AMS 2778 . This has been reported to police but if anyone sees it, please call us … Thank you.
(8/25 UPDATE: The car’s been found; phone number has been removed.)
THEFT OR COLLISION? Libby wondered if a damaged car that appeared Tuesday between 37th and 38th on Juneau was stolen and dumped. (We note that it also could have been damaged in a crash.) She says it’s “an older model – mid to late ’90s – Honda Accord station wagon … dark gray or black with a at least 2 flat tires and front passenger damage around the wheel well. WA License # AYS9288.” She’s reported it to police.
BICYCLE THEFT ON VIDEO: Sent by Nels:
Nels elaborates: “Schwinn, dark green and gold two tone. Tattered seat. Taken (Tuesday) on Thistle in the mid 20’s blocks. This bike also has a bright blue rear brake cable. (The person shown in the video) is wearing a Harley X tee-shirt over white logo on front. Hair cut short on sides over ears; longer on top.” We don’t have the police report # yet but you can reach Nels at 206-643-5040.
Meantime, what might be parts of stolen bicycles have turned up:
BIKE FRAMES DUMPED: Al sent this photo:
He says this stack of bicycle frames turned up a few days ago on the Spokane Street pedestrian bridge “east of Harbor Avenue.” Elsebeth also sent us a note today that we believe refers to the same pile.
Next item was found at Hiawatha, so it might really just have been lost rather than stolen, but in case you haven’t seen it in the WSB Forums‘ Non-Pets Lost and Found section:
FOUND – KIDS’ BACKPACK: The listing is here.
And finally:
HIT BY PACKAGE THIEVES? A recent victim whose case was featured here says she got some revenge and suggests others might try the same thing:
Recently, I had a box of diapers stolen from my front door during the night. I thought through all the options of what to do. The blog was kind enough to post my loss. It’s then that I saw how many other people this happens to on a weekly basis and that really made me mad. It seemed like no matter if you have a camera, description, license plate, it’s useless. So, I decided to send the thieves a message. When I received my replacement box, I took out the contents and then filled the box with trash and resealed it and left it on my doorstep. Two nights later, it had been stolen. This time, I was happy about it. If we all send a similar message, perhaps we will as a community be left alone. It’s worth a shot.
Over the weekend, we published an update from Byron, the dad who wrote an “open letter” after his 8-year-old daughter’s bicycle was stolen – he reported a suspect had been arrested and the bicycle returned. Wanting to track the case through the system to see what happens along the way, we requested and obtained the police-report narrative today, and it tells a complicated story.
For those wondering how Byron found the bicycle, the report says he spotted it on Craigslist, made initial contact with the person who listed it, and went to the Southwest Precinct, where the Saturday day shift was in the morning briefing. Officers came up with a plan. (This isn’t the first time SPD has done this – we’ve seen past reports, like this one in West Seattle last year, and this one elsewhere the year before.) The report described it in part as:
Our approach was to set a predetermined meeting location and when the bicycle was determined to be Lhe one in question and a specific suspecL was found to be in possession of this bicycle we would move in, affecting a stop, at which time we would verify the serial number and combination to the lock on the bicycle as given to us by (the dad). The combination on the bícycle lock was given as (xxxx) and the serial number was given as (xxxx).
They originally agreed on a meeting place near Roxbury Safeway but they eventually found the suspect near 15th and Roxbury, with the bicycle, and took him into custody.
The bicycle was taken to the Southwest Precinct, as was the suspect, who was eventually released, as explained in the report, after a lieutenant who had stayed back at the scene showed up at the precinct with three children. The circumstances of their discovery was not described in the report, but it did say this:
.(They) were identified as (the suspect’s) children. All were … found to be in acceptable health but it should be noted that their clothes were dirty and the children themselves were unbathed to a point of being unsanitary. … (N)oting that the children’s mother had a no-contact order against her from being in contact with the children, it was collectively determined that in the best interest of the children, that (the suspect) be released to tend to the children’s needs. It was expressed by the children that (he) is the only parent that feeds them (and he) stated after he had invoked his right to remain silent that he wanted to change his mind, and stated that his girlfriend, who is the mother of (the children), had given him possession of the bicycle. (He) knew that the bicycle was not hers, but that he was trying to sell the bicycle to feed his children.
His release does *not* mean he isn’t facing charges; he was arrested on suspicion of trafficking in stolen property, which is a felony, and the report says the case has been forwarded to the Major Crimes Unit for investigation. We don’t know the suspect’s name, so we don’t know if he has a record.
Second confirmed gunfire incident tonight – and again in this case, no victims reported – dispatchers reported multiple calls, and officers have radioed in that they found casings at 11th and Kenyon.
8:09 PM: Police are at 16th and Barton investigating a reported exchange of gunfire, and radio discussion says they have found shell casings, but no victims, and that those who were involved are believed to have gotten into at least two vehicles and left. More to come.
8:19 PM: If you heard/saw a helicopter, that was Guardian One looking around for anything matching what descriptions police have so far of the vehicles – white mid-2000s Mercedes SUV, and a black vehicle.
8:25 PM: Our crew has talked with police at the scene. No property damage so far as they can tell; they say they have found one confirmed shell casing, 9mm. Along with the aforementioned white SUV, the description of the second vehicle involved is now black or blue. By the way, if you’re a bit south of the scene and noticing police pulled over with a silver car, near 15th/Roxbury, that’s NOT believed to be related – they noticed plates on the car that were reported as stolen, and pulled it over.
8:40 PM: Our crew says police are wrapping up at the scene. No further reports of progress on finding those responsible, but if you have any information, call 911.
8:44 PM: Now police are investigating a report that one nearby residence was hit by a bullet.
9:31 PM: We went back over to find out more about that. Police confirm that a bullet went into an apartment two buildings south of Barton, along the alley between 16th and 17th.
No injuries.
SIDE NOTE: From SPD’s latest SeaStat briefing last week (last page here), the Southwest Precinct – West Seattle and South Park – has had 41 confirmed “shots fired” (meaning confirmed because of shell casings and/or property damage and/or victims), second after the South Precinct, which has had 111.
You might remember the “open letter to a bicycle thief” from Byron, published here a week and a half ago. Today, he e-mailed this followup:
I am writing to tell the person who was arrested today for stealing my daughter’s bike – told you I would find you. It took me two weeks but I got you. I am not putting his name here for now, even though he was arrested by Seattle Police today with the bike and will be charged with a felony, because he is innocent until proven guilty.
I did my duty as an engaged citizen and helped by watching websites, making phone calls, and driving around neighborhoods BUT I WANT TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR, our Seattle Police, Southwest Precinct, did the heavy lifting today. Officers put themselves in harm’s way to find and arrest this guy. Our police have a brutal job, and any way we can help them we should. Every bike theft can’t be investigated, as much as we want it to be, but we as law-abiding citizens can do something to help. Be vigilant and don’t give in to these thieves. Don’t shrug it off. Theft is not OK.
The Southwest Precinct was awesome. The Officers were amazing. Thank you for helping us.
Moral of the Story: Crime doesn’t pay? Don’t give up? Don’t Steal?
Sure, but even better…COPS ARE AWESOME.
Thanks for giving back some faith in humanity to an eleven-year-old.
Make sure you shake an officer’s hand next time you see one and say thanks for protecting us. I know I will.
We will do our best to track the case through the system.
From Autumn:
My car was stolen sometime last night. It was parked on the street right in front of our house in the Morgan Junction area. Doors locked and nothing valuable inside. Some blankets, sweatshirts and a cooler in there.
Toyota RAV4 Limited edition. 2006. Blue with light tan interior and sun roof. No identifying markers or stickers. I just bought it 2 months ago. WA license plate BEN7363.
It’s been reported to police; call 911 if you see it.
South Park community advocate Jeff Hayes, whose efforts we have chronicled here, has been working with city leaders to set up a meeting about public-safety issues – and now the date is set. It was just announced in City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s weekly update:
The Department of Neighborhoods will be organizing a community meeting in South Park on Tuesday, August 29th from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the South Park Neighborhood Center @ 8201 10th Avenue South.
In response to community requests, especially after a number of nights with vandalism against businesses, I sent a letter to the Chief of Police requesting the Seattle Police Department hold a community meeting. The Department of Neighborhoods stepped in to organize the meeting, and bring in other City departments to address other ongoing issues in South Park.
We’ll also hear an update about the work of a Task Force of South Park residents that have been meeting to formulate and report to the Executive and Council future recommendations regarding the public safety and vitality of South Park, including strategies for a new model of neighborhood policing and strategies for a culturally and linguistically responsive data-driven approach to improving the City’s relations to and effectiveness with the South Park neighborhood.
Childcare, light refreshments, and interpretation (in Spanish, Vietnamese, and Amharic) will be provided.
Other topics in Councilmember Herbold’s update include more on the vacant-building legislation, which, as we reported earlier this week, is headed to a full-council vote next month.
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