That’s how Roz refers to what she says has happened at her house – read on:Read More

Tonight at City Hall downtown (Google Street View above), the city’s gang-related crime is in the spotlight at a free forum, with speakers to include Seattle Police Lt. Ron Wilson, who leads the department’s Gang Unit. It comes one month after what police and prosecutors have declared to be a gang-related shooting at Alki, with the 19-year-old victim described as a known gang member along with the 17-year-old suspect, Anthony Verzola, who is due back in court next Monday at 1 pm and remains jailed in lieu of $250,000 bail. Tonight’s forum is at the Bertha Landes Room on City Hall’s main level, starting at 7 pm; see the full list of speakers here.

Along with that photo came this story, headed “Car Prowl, 6900 block 40th SW (up the hill from Thriftway)” [map]:

My car was broken into last night and my backpack was stolen along with all my textbooks, notes, binders, and pens, etc. Please, if anyone finds the following items contact me and I will be happy to come pick them up. I only have two more weeks left in my quarter at school and I desperately need to get my work back and textbooks. Items taken: 1) Textbook: Sol y Viento (Spanish Textbook/Hard Back) 2) Textbook: A Concise History of the Middle East (Soft Back) 3) Pink&Green polka-dot binder with a ton of Spanish homework inside 4) Spiral Notebook with Middle Eastern History notes & English Notes 5) REI Backpack (Olive Green and Light Olive Green) has two pockets and 1 small pocket for pens.

Thank you so much for any help you can provide! My phone number is 206-290-7489 for anyone that finds these items.

Sincerely,
Desperate College Student

Sent by Stephanie:

Last night I heard a sound like someone smashing a window. I got up right away and went outside in my front yard and looked around, but I didn’t see anything. I saw a car, but it promptly pulled over to park about a half a block up at about 5440 46th ave sw so I figured they lived there and were just coming home. This morning I saw 2 full windows broken lying on the corner at Findlay & 46th [map]. I couldn’t see where they came from.

As promised, we followed up with the City Attorney’s Office regarding the status of Ryan Joshua Cox, the 31-year-old man arrested last week in connection with the anti-gay graffiti that had appeared in several spots around West Seattle, most notably and repeatedly a Morgan Junction couple’s garage door. Assistant city attorney Beth Gappert, who prosecutes cases in this area from her base at the Southwest Precinct, confirms that Cox is charged with six misdemeanor cases of property destruction-graffiti. He will not be prosecuted for malicious harassment, the felony that would indicate a hate crime; Gappert tells WSB, “The detective assigned to the case and I reviewed the evidence that was gathered as part of this incident. Based upon that, we determined the evidence was insufficient to prove that Mr. Cox acted ‘because of his perception of the victim’s race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or mental, physical, or sensory handicap’ per RCW 9A.36.080 (the Malicious Harassment statute).” So the case was not referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Cox is still jailed in lieu of $5,000 bail (upped last week, as reported here), according to the King County Jail Register. The Municipal Court website indicates another hearing is scheduled in his case tomorrow.

Side note to one of two incidents from last night that we reported thanks to WSB’ers’ notes (before the Alki car-in-water): We’ve now learned that one of the two men booked into jail after being caught inside a stolen vehicle on Harbor Ave is 18-year-old Skyelar Hailey. You may recall, he is the repeat offender most recently arrested and jailed last month after allegedly fleeing police who tried to arrest him on warrants. Days after all that, on April 24, he was sentenced (WSB coverage here) for a trespassing conviction resulting from an Admiral case last November, and received “community service” provided he stayed out of trouble; he was released from jail May 2. This morning, we are told he was a passenger in the stolen Ford Explorer stopped on Harbor Ave after 9:30 last night; just after 2 am, he was booked into jail, and the register shows he’s there on a “probation hold” (linked to the November Admiral case). We’ll be checking with prosecutors to see what happens next. (Photo by Christopher Boffoli, from Hailey’s April 24 sentencing)

FIRST REPORT, 10:28 PM: Just got a note about a hit-run driver damaging cars near Charlestown Cafe. Stacy reports, “Many in the street trying to figure out what happened. Glass all over the road on California.” Listening to the scanner, police are now checking on a report elsewhere in West Seattle of a driver getting out of a car and discussing having been in a crash. More info as/if we get it. (added later – here’s an account from Ranette, one of the hit-run victims):

I was driving the first car hit by this driver. Driving south on California, I had been at the PCC with my friend. I heard the tires screeching behind us and then felt the hard impact (back of my car). I tried to keep from hitting the cars parked on California Avenue. I think I glimpsed a dark car. I pulled over and we got out. There were a lot of people outside who had heard the accident. A few had seen it and described a dark or black hatchback hitting my car then trying to regain control to take a quick left off of California onto Bradford??? (street north of Andover). Apparently, the driver did not have much control and knocked down a stop sign which hit two parked and unoccupied cars (but I did not see this only informed by witnesses and police officer). The driver kept going. The police officer said they had just heard of a car with the same description driving on three wheels. What a horrible feeling to be in an accident like this. It felt like the car came out of nowhere and hit us so hard. It is especially disturbing that the other driver left the accident location. My friend and I were wearing our seatbelts, as usual, and we are so glad we were. The rear of my car is pretty damaged but not so bad that I could not drive home.

SECOND REPORT, ADDED 11:34 PM: Received a note from a Harbor Ave resident troubled by what she saw tonight and wondering if there are any Block Watch groups in her area. We referred her to Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow but also are sharing her story as it relates to some of what was discussed at the Alki Community Council meeting last Thursday – read on (1:52 am note, we’re also adding info just received from police on BOTH these incidents):Read More

Crime takes no holiday … Michael shares news of what happened to his family’s van this weekend:

Our mini van was vandalized sometime Saturday Night/Sunday Morning 5/23-5/24. Someone smashed one of the door windows. Nothing was stolen and there is nothing of apparent value in it other than baby gear. Second time in a couple months our van has been targeted. Location 34th Ave SW between Andover and Charlestown [map].

Under investigation by Seattle Police right now: First came the report of shots fired in the California SW/SW College vicinity (map). Then, the scanner report that officers found “multiple 40-caliber shell casings in the driveway on the south side of the Blockbuster.” We’re continuing to monitor this; so far NO report of anyone having been hit by those shots.

We have information tonight on a police response that turned some heads in the Admiral District early this afternoon. Thanks to the folks who called and e-mailed to ask about it; at the time we got those notifications, we went to check it out in person, but police were gone. However, SPD media-unit Officer Mark Jamieson looked into it for us later and says a suspect “wanted on a warrant” was spotted in the 4300 block of Admiral Way around 12:38 pm; “a foot chase ensued, and the suspect ran eastbound toward the 7-11, then witnesses thought he may have run toward the (gas) station, possibly into a laundromat. Additional officers came to the area to assist with containment, so that explains the number of cars. Suspect was located and arrested for outstanding misdemeanor warrant out of Snohomish County. It looks like he may have been caught near the Admiral Theater.”

That video showed the scene on the eastern edge of West Seattle – West Marginal/Highland Park Way (map; same spot that’s still under consideration as a possible jail site) – eight months ago, as police arrived to arrest more than 20 people at the encampment calling itself “Nickelsville.” (Our as-it-happened story here; followup here.) Those arrested weren’t in custody for long, and the camp packed up and moved days later, but the trespassing cases have been making their way through the Seattle Municipal Court system. Maybe not much longer, according to a KOMO News report today that says the charges will be dropped. We checked on the one suspect whose name we reported at the time, Anitra Freeman; in the online Municipal Court records, she still has an open charge for 2nd-degree criminal trespass, with a “readiness conference” scheduled next Friday and trial tentatively scheduled in June. When everything reopens next week, we’ll check on when the “dropping” is scheduled to happen. Meantime, “Nickelsville” still exists, and currently is set up at a Southeast Seattle church.

Amanda sent that photo of a bike just like the one her 7-year-old daughter was learning to ride, till someone made off with it, because she’s thinking maybe you’ve seen it somewhere:

My daughter Zoe was just getting the hang of riding her bike when it was taken right from our front yard on 31st Ave SW and Elmgrove in the Westwood neighborhood. It’s a blue Trek Mystic with training wheels and a white basket in front. We’ve asked around the neighborhood and kept our eyes peeled for it, and I’d love some West Seattle help in getting it back.

If anyone has seen it or has any information, please have them call 206-234-8929, email me at asburleson@gmail.com or simply bring it back home: 7947 31st Ave SW. NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

WSBers helped reunite a stolen bike and its owner earlier this year (see the third item here plus comments), so anything’s possible.

We won’t be able to get full details from prosecutors till tomorrow – but wanted to let you know that the bail’s been raised for the 31-year-old man arrested in connection with the Morgan Junction-area hate-graffiti vandalism: Originally there was one “property destruction” count listed on the jail register, with bail of $380; tonight, six property destruction counts are listed, with $5,005 total bail.

(From left, SPD Capt. Joe Kessler, Alki Community Council officers Paul Carr and Randie Stone)
ORIGINAL 7:13 PM REPORT: At the Alki Community Council meeting, Lt. Steve Paulsen is talking about summertime police presence and of course the May 1st shooting — in which, he has just revealed, another suspect is still being sought. Southwest Precinct Captain Joe Kessler is here too, and acknowledging “it’s not acceptable to have children shooting children.” He says they’ve been “working on some additional plans” regarding possibly obtaining more overtime funding for staffing in areas such as Alki, but adds that “the key for us is, we look at it on a daily basis.” The captain and lieutenant are taking questions now. Capt. Kessler says the shooting victim on May 1st was “an intended victim.” (The 17-year-old suspect is still in jail, in lieu of $250,000 bail.)

ADDED 7:44 PM: One question: “What was the deployment the night of the shooting?” Capt. Kessler acknowledged there were no officers in the immediate area where it happened, but said there were officers in the area, such as down Harbor Ave; Lt. Paulsen added, “That call flushed the precinct” (which had officers ready for the imminent next shift change). Capt. Kessler adds that Community Police Team Officer Ken Mazzuca is primarily assigned to Alki for the duration of the summer – “this is his place” – and says he’ll be on his bike sometimes, confirming there will be additional bicycle-officer presence too.

8:19 PM UPDATE: Many of the questions are related to what can be done if they are being hassled or feeling threatened by beach visitors – that’s being voiced more than concern about out-and-out crime. The police leaders here have had to say, there are no laws against “being rude” or “saying a vile word,” unless it veers into a threat. More info from the meeting as it happens.

Just received from the Southwest Precinct — publishing it as-is, since Highland Park is a “burglary hot spot” right now as reported during our coverage of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council the other night:

A burglary pattern has been identified by SW Detectives affecting the Highland Park Area of West Seattle. Even though the Highland Park neighborhood has been the recent targeted area, this activity can have other West Seattle implications if residents do not remain vigilant to suspicious activity.

The basic M/O for these particular burglars is as follows,

• Car carrying 2-4 A/M males parks in the neighborhood.
• Passengers exit car and begin to walk neighborhood. Driver stays in car.
• Passengers approach houses and knock on doors to see if anyone home, or to see if surrounding neighbors look out windows.
• If no answer at door, the suspects walk around the house and rap on windows loudly enough to elicit a response from surrounding neighbors or the homeowner.
• If no response from either the home owner or surroundings neighbors, the suspects walk to back of house and rap on rear door a final time.
• If still no response, suspects force entry via any accessible door or window. Suspects look for anything of value that is small enough to exit with without attracting attention, and easy enough to sell on the street within a day or two.

Residents can assist police by reporting any activity in their neighborhood they believe is suspicious in nature. If residents observe any activity in their neighborhood that is consistent with the M/O list above, they should call 911 to at the very least, allow police to attempt to identify the persons involved in the suspicious activity. If possible, residents should attempt to be good witnesses by writing down susp descriptions and plate numbers.

Last night at the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, police reported that car theft is down. Not nonexistent, though, as Robin reports having found out:

I just moved to West Seattle 3 weeks ago, to the Morgan Junction area (inbetween Morgan and Holly on 39th), and woke up last Thursday morning (May 14) to discover my car missing. I’m not sure if it’s too late after the fact, but thought (WSB) and my neighbors that read it might be interested in knowing so they are inspired to further protect their vehicles by buying a Club or the like.

And that if anyone sees a silver 2002 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport wagon with Yakima snowboard racks, that’s missing the front Subaru logo, I’d absolutely love to hear about it. It’s probably gone, but I’m not giving up hope, yet.