Break in the storm (coverage): New West Seattle peeper report

Though we are devoting 99% of WSB to storm reports today (please e-mail us anything you’ve seen/heard), this just came in as a comment on last week’s peeper thread, and we wanted to make sure you knew:

Seems the same peeper struck our neighbors last night 12/2/07 3800 block of 49th Ave SW.

There was a peeping Tom outside our neighbors houses off & on for about 2 hours last night. Neither house knew of the other’s peeper until about 10:00 pm. Apparently he had ‘visited’ one & watched while the couple were hot tubbing a couple of hours earlier, ‘visited’ the neighbors kid’s room window across the street & waved at him about an hour after the first visit, & then back to look into the hot tubber’s bedroom about an hour after that. At about 10:00 is when the kid saw him return to 1st visit’s house & notified his dad. Needless to say, the police came shortly.

Unfortunately, not much could be I.D.’d. ~ 5′9″ – 5′ 10″, slender build, all in black ( or at least dark clothing).

Police have stated & my husband has read that he has been around the neighborhood for about 5 weeks now and his territory seems to cover from Admiral to Genesse & from 45th to 53rd.

My observation: it was pouring rain for those few hours. The person is either persistent with foul weather gear or lives close enough to go home & dry the clothes before going back out.

10 Replies to "Break in the storm (coverage): New West Seattle peeper report"

  • louis December 3, 2007 (3:35 pm)

    So, no news flash here, but this is disturbing, right?

    My question is, do we need to worry about escalation? Any social science and/or criminology types out there that can weigh in on whether Peeping Toms ever then transition into violence or more other behavior more destructive than just peeping?

    I don’t want to cause a panic or anything, but if the answer is yes, it seems we might want to request that the police get a little more proactive on this.

  • Teresa P December 3, 2007 (3:55 pm)

    My idea of being proactive is a very large dog and a very large rifle. Just large enough to convince him to hang out for his ride in the police car.

  • Victoria December 3, 2007 (5:22 pm)

    Disturbing – Yes; Escalation? – My thoughts & concerns exactly. Really would like to know the answer to that. Always aware, but would like to know if I need to be on guard.

  • GenHillOne December 4, 2007 (6:38 am)

    Especially disturbing because it does seem like he is getting bolder – out in the downpour, two adults outside of the house, and WAVING to the boy? I found myself driving the long way home last night, just a couple more blocks, but felt a need for some “block watch.”

  • Mike M. December 4, 2007 (10:59 am)

    I am Victoria’s next door neighbor, and my son is the one who saw this creep looking in his bedroom window. I looked outside but saw nothing and passed it off as someone walking their dog or his imagination. A half hour later we saw him looking in the window of our neighbors house across the street.(the same one’s with the hot tub) I gave chase but he quickly eluded me in the darkness. He wears all black and knows the neighborhood well. Here’s the really scary part.
    When the officers arrived we walked down the alley between 49th and 50th, Charlestown to Andover, and noticed everyones gates open in their backyards.
    I also noticed lawn furniture against the wall of my other neighbors house, just below the window.
    This is normally in their garage.
    I found a white, brand new,folding three stepped step stool against the south side of my house that none of my neighbors can identify…..wierd.
    So keep your windows locked and your outside lights on. If you are missing a folding step stool let me know.
    Keep em locked, loaded, and ready. Mike.

  • Jeff December 4, 2007 (3:00 pm)

    I don’t know what to be more afraid of, peepers, or neighbors that are locked, loaded, and ready.
    The foot stool left behind reminds me of when my friend was peeped on almost 8 years ago down on Alki. It makes me wonder how long this guy’s been at it.
    I’m still waiting for the day I see the guy I busted taking crotch shots on the beach one time. I really hope he’s given up his hobby, but I remember well enough what he looks like.

  • GenHillOne December 4, 2007 (9:56 pm)

    We’re looking at it a little differently at our house Jeff. Not much for locked & loaded either, so instead have mapped out all the ways we can keep him interested in the window while we get to our alarm’s panic button and call the police!

  • Victoria December 6, 2007 (6:14 pm)

    Not sure what happened last night 12/6/07, but shutting it down @ 12:30 am, noticed police lights passing the house. Not normal by any means in our neighborhood. Poked my head out to see if the Peeper was back. Police were down towards 49th Ave SW & Charlestown with spotlight shining on West side of the street. Hope the Peeper has quit & it was just racoons. BTW – thanks for the site – makes it easier to check on any outcomes of this guy. And I don’t see any mention of it in any media, but here.

  • WSB December 6, 2007 (6:23 pm)

    Victoria – somebody else e-mailed us about the 49th/Charlestown incident – it’s on the main page in the west seattle crime watch update – all WSB crime-related stories can be found any time here:
    https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?cat=29

  • Mike M. December 7, 2007 (11:00 am)

    Apparently he’s still at it.
    More to report on the 49th and Andover peeper creeper. Another neighbor reported a step stool missing from his detached shop. He found it under their deck, allowing peepage to the rear of the house and bedrooms. The neighbor across the street found three buckets,sideyard, stacked below a childs bedroom window. Jeff, sorry being prepared scares you more than someone protecting their family. The step stool I found allowed him to get on top of our garden shed on the unlit sideyard and look in our kitchen and living room, and was the only window without a shade. Usually that window is unlocked (dumb) because it’s eight feet off the ground, but with a little effort he’s inside the house from the shed roof.
    Paranoid? nah, just trained and prepared.
    I would suggest removing any means of entry from outside, like ladders and chairs, and locking outbuildings.
    Lets catch this guy before he finishes that book about Ted Bundy. Ok, Maybe I am a little paranoid.

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