West Seattle Crime Watch: ‘Who could do such a thing?’

From Ray:

Our Volvo wagon was broken into overnight. It was parked in our alley carport between Graham and Morgan/ 39th and 38th Sts. SW. (map) They rifled through the glove box and another compartment between the front seats. They took our daughter’s canvas swim bag from the back seat and scattered its contents down the alley: a purple swim cap, one pair of blue goggles, a green diamondback suit, a YMCA card. The sight of her cherished swim gear trashed in the alley was quite the cold awakening this morning for our seven year old. “Who could do such a thing?” she cried.

Another sad reminder, as per the current SPD awareness campaign, that *nothing* is safe, left in a vehicle – even if you are sure it’s something in which no thief would take an interest.

13 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: 'Who could do such a thing?'"

  • Cathy December 15, 2010 (3:40 pm)

    Some creep got into our garage just two nights before. It was in the same alley as the above mentioned post, but just south of Morgan. They stoled our SHOVELS!!! Who steals shovels? They also took all of our power tools. They came into our yard and ented the shed/garage from the side door, opened up the double doors to the alley and took the stuff. Obviously, my mistake for not having locks, and now my expense to replace the stuff. You don’t know how bad I would have loved to have had a Rottwiler(?) in that shed. What the hell is wrong with people? Any other incidents in the neighborhood?

  • Anonymous December 15, 2010 (4:56 pm)

    It makes me horribly sad to hear of these crimes. We just moved down the road from our old house on SW Graham and I am sorry to hear this is happening in my old neighborhood; HOWEVER, the above mentioned ally is very dark, as well as the houses in the neighborhood. We always kept our porch lights on and we installed motion sensored lights around the house. It seemed to work well for us.

  • kc December 15, 2010 (8:25 pm)

    I just dont get these thieves. What makes it ok in their mind to just destroy and take things that are not theirs? What goes through their heads? Do they set their alarm clocks for 1am and get up to go stealing?

  • Monosyllabic Girl December 15, 2010 (9:40 pm)

    Cathy – shovels were most likely stolen for scrap metal/metal recycling. Or for burying dead bodies? Eeesh. I don’t wanna know. Sorry that happened to you.

  • Eric December 15, 2010 (10:05 pm)

    The unfortunate thing is that if your dog bit the perp, they could probably sue you for them getting hurt and not being able to “work” (I doubt they have Aflac).
    .
    It isn’t your mistake for leaving the doors unlocked. It is the upbringing of these “people” that is a mistake. 99.9% of people don’t steal.

  • alan December 16, 2010 (3:39 am)

    Don’t forget there is over 9% unemplyment. People get desperated during these economic times of uncertainty and crime rates increase. I am sure the same crimes are happening in other neighborhoods. We need to ensure we are doing what we can to be safe and protected from criminal behavior.

  • Yardvark December 16, 2010 (9:17 am)

    Thieves are such a low form of human.

    I had my car routed through not too long ago right around that same area. I still haven’t figured out what was taken, if anything.

    Is there a blockwatch for that neighborhood?

  • The Moons December 16, 2010 (9:40 am)

    We live on 39th b/t Graham and Morgan and share this alley. About 2 years ago we started getting charged for the big street light in the alley due to proximity I assume. We still pay for it, but unfortunately it burned out about a week ago. City Light has been notified several times, but as of last night it is still out. (Please feel free to contact them, too.) If they don’t fix it soon, I’m going to stop paying for the darn thing.
    Ray, I’m not sure where you are on the block, but hope that new darkness wasn’t why you were burglarized. Sorry you and your family were victimized :(

  • Lucky chick December 16, 2010 (10:20 am)

    Leaving your shed unlocked doesn’t mean people have a right to steal from it. If I left my car running and open and my extensive rare gem collection in full view, the dirtbag who steals it is still entirely in the wrong.

    Decent unemployed humans don’t steal either. So sorry for everyone’s thefts (including my own).

  • Cathy December 16, 2010 (10:43 am)

    Last year we had a street light go out on the street 39th and Warsaw. I called the city and it took 2+months for them to replace it. Keep checking with the city about the alley street light.

  • Paul December 16, 2010 (11:07 am)

    How about we hire some unemployed people to gaurd our streets at night? Heck if anyone wants to pay me I will park by your house overnight

  • marty December 16, 2010 (12:12 pm)

    Leaving the swim bag in the car was your first mistake. Leaving anything in your car that looks like it might have value really increases your chances of a break-in.

  • muddygirl December 16, 2010 (12:19 pm)

    Has anyone been having any troubles near the intersection of 26th/Roxbury? My car alarm has gone off 5 or six times in the past few weeks in the wee hours of the morning. No signs of a break in…yet…. :(

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