It’s the last time we’ll be able to tell you about the West Seattle Community Safety Partnership … because its monthly meeting tonight at the Southwest Precinct ended with a new name. That and other info from the meeting, ahead:

First, the new name. After a new slate of officers took over earlier this year, they started looking at whether a name change might clarify the group’s mission. We mentioned the suggestions in one of our reports from last month’s meeting. Tonight, the results of a landslide vote: West Seattle Crime Prevention Council.

Next, the latest on a big event coming up next month (in place of the WSCPC meeting): 10 am-8 pm July 15, the group will present Southwest Precinct Appreciation Day. Your help is needed, before and during that day; here’s more from a recent e-mail announcement:

For all interested in participating or volunteering, please contact Jennifer at 206-322-6134 or jennifer@sngi.org.

Community members who want to show your appreciation: Drop-in at the precinct any time from 10 am to 8 pm for food, fun, small talk. Coloring books and stickers for kids and art supplies to make appreciation cards will be available. Everyone is encouraged to drop by or bring thank-you cards, letters of appreciation, and a story about your favorite officer or anecdotes about how someone from SPD has helped you.

Reminders about other big dates – August 5th is Night Out (register your block’s event by going here; WSB coverage of 2007 Night Out is here); August 16th is Picnic at the Precinct (WSB coverage from last year is here); August 19th is the next meeting of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council.

Police updates: Lt. Steve Paulsen says burglaries are still “steady” but no major uptick since the wave of arrests earlier this spring. As mentioned in the City Council briefing this afternoon, Alki is a big emphasis for the precinct this summer, with a focus on traffic as well as “civility issues” (such as public drunkenness). Precinct Capt. Joe Kessler spoke to the group too, discussing major incidents such as the recent GameStop robbery and suspect search (WSB coverage here); he noted comments here on WSB suggested police were disorganized, but from his standpoint, it was well-coordinated and resolved quickly – obviously the fact it happened as school let out for the day did lead to some logistical concerns, so officers were summoned from other precincts to assist with traffic issues and school safety in the immediate vicinity. Bottom line, he noted, though the suspect pointed a gun at one officer and another was injured during the search, the suspect was arrested and search ended in a relatively short period of time.

City attorney updates: Beth Gappert, an assistant city attorney who is also liaison to the precinct, talked about community concerns with the suspected fencing operation on Delridge. In case you are ever the victim of theft, she suggests, use an engraving tool to mark your valuables, but don’t put sensitive info like Social Security or driver’s license, just put something identifiable (even a smiley face might do), and be sure to report any and all thefts to police immediately.

The Crime Prevention Council also was briefed on the Highland Park jail-sites issue, with HP Action Committee vice chair Rory Denovan on hand to bring everyone up to speed (HPAC’s next meeting is Monday night, by the way). Capt. Kessler and Lt. Paulsen noted that police have no official policy on the issue, but urged those concerned to make sure their elected officials know how they feel. (Contact info for city councilmembers and the mayor’s office is all on the city website at seattle.gov.)