Comments on: The WSBeat: Suspicious staring; business burglaries; $5 apology…

By: Jim P.

Jim P. — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 20:50:29 +0000

“Should they arrest them? I’m not as sure. I”
With respect, I think they should have been. Their behavior was borderline violent and could easily or even likely be turned on the next passerby.

Over and above their making that bus stop useless, disgusting and unsafe (plus someone will have to clean up their mess) people like that are not an asset to the local community.

Ever passed a drunk and merely glanced at him only to be greeted with “What the **** are you looking at *******?” often followed by someone filthy, smelly and foul getting “in your face”?

I don’t want that or them in my neighborhood or hanging around schools. There’s two schools just across the street from Westwood.

I wish the article mentioned if the cops made them pour out their booze. I’d feel better knowing they had been “disarmed” for a while.

By: Not-tha-momma

Not-tha-momma — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:52:28 +0000

I would like to Thumbs Up, Like, Re-pin, or Favorite G’s comment. Whatever is fashionable these days I’m with it.

By: ws born & bred

ws born & bred — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 14:12:13 +0000

I understand your point, Jim, but I think I’d rather our SPD spend more time on violent crime, gangs, theft and DUIs. Should they breakup the group of the young and dumb drinking and urinating at the bus stop? Of course. Should they run them through the system and check for warrants? Sure. Is there a ticket for that? I’d be all for it. Should they arrest them? I’m not as sure. It seems like a waste of resources that could be better used elsewhere. Or maybe growing up in a different West Seattle skews my perspective.

By: Jim P.

Jim P. — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 04:20:14 +0000

“All were warned about their behavior.”

Great, I live in the neighborhood and this is exactly the sort of people I want to run across when my wife and I come home from the movies or other activities downtown and have to get off at that stop.

Drinking and urinating in public are arrestable offenses I thought and I’d appreciate it if the police would do more than shake their finger at people such as this.

By: G

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 03:59:49 +0000

Lynch the scooter guy!

Just kidding, but I see him tooling down California, doesn’t seem to be a big problem.

Granted maybe he does pose a problem from time to time, but maybe someone should just politely remind him with a “hey..” instead of a) screaming at him as the one gentleman apparently did, or b) ganging up on him on the blog.

This is all very passive-aggressive Seattle style.

By: ws born & bred

ws born & bred — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 02:19:58 +0000

Thank you for the great reporting. WS is reminding me more and more of how it was here when I was a 90′s teenager. I think it’s an economy issue. The more desperate people become the less they care how their choices harm others. That’s just my unprofessional opinion. Doesn’t make it better or justified.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 02:13:46 +0000

Don’t really have an opinion on the scooter issue b/c I’ve never actually had an encounter… While it’s correct that the scooter-user is the victim in the incident described in the crime watch – the discussion about the overall issues surrounding the scooter-user seem pretty valid.

Sue’s comment is on point and an example why it’s an appropriate conversation to have.

By: WSB

WSB — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 01:48:38 +0000

Eddie – from our friend Justin’s site CapitolHillSeattle.com:
.
http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2013/03/06/blotter-12th-ave-phone-mugging-meth-dealer-robbed-club-goer-claims-choking
.
From our friend Rebecca’s site RavennaBlog.com – as she covered a series of muggings:
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http://www.ravennablog.com/fifth-possibly-sixth-purse-snatching-yields-an-arrest-in-roosevelt/
.
Or, just look at the police-report map on any given day. It usually shows a week of incidents by default, but you can configure it at the left side to show any time period you want. Keep in mind, some types of incidents are NOT shown on this map.
.
http://web6.seattle.gov/mnm/policereports.aspx

By: 4thGenWS

4thGenWS — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 01:25:51 +0000

It’s a shame that we have to pay all of this money to deal with and arrest these low life criminals just to put them right back on the street. No wonder we can’t pay for parks, road work, and even sidewalk work so folks like the scooter person have to put themselves in a dangerous place. I guess we will just have to run over the same potholes for another 10 years. Be safe everyone! Take it easy on the scooter person!

By: JW

JW — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 01:25:10 +0000

You publish plenty of good news Tracy. In fact I know that some of that news, like the couple who took care of the injured cat and made sure he had a pain free death, seem to get lots of comments too. My point was directed more at people who think WS is falling apart with all the thieves and drunkards that are reported. They are such a small part of what happens on our peninsula.

By: KRM66

KRM66 — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 01:05:06 +0000

The guy looks like he put a lot of work in his scooter. I think it looks pretty cool. I am not sure if it would be more difficult to get around the scooter than a bicycle in my car, but I am sure I would have an easier time seeing the scooter coming.

By: Eddie

Eddie — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:41:00 +0000

If crime happens in other neighborhoods and WSB isn’t there to report it (or you don’t read about it) are those neighborhoods crime-free?

By: Sue

Sue — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:05:26 +0000

I don’t know if it’s the same person with the scooter, but I see someone riding one of them in the bike lanes on Fauntleroy (in the Fairmount/Triangle area) often, and usually in the wrong direction, which is risky if a bike were coming legally in a northbound direction and didn’t see the scooter coming over the crest of a hill. I am not certain, but I believe only bicycles are legally allowed in a bike lane. However, it certainly doesn’t warrant death threats and bullying, even if an illegal act, and I’m sorry the person had to deal with that.

By: WSB

WSB — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 23:34:46 +0000

We publish lots of good news, all the time, JW, but would love to have more. We actually showcase them one by one. I wish I had time right this moment to pull out the most recent links but I’ve just finished covering a two-hour hearing and have to go move the car before the expensive prepaid parking runs out :) Also please see the WSB Forum for raves as well as rants http://westseattleblog.com/forum – posted directly by members! – TR

By: AG

AG — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 23:23:48 +0000

Paralyzed Legs has it right. Any of you who have never used a scooter or wheelchair: I challenge you to wheel down two blocks on the sidewalk anywhere in the city. To say it’s a challenge is a huge understatement. While using a wheelchair, I was often forced into the street just to be able to move safely forward because of things like roots lifting sidwalk panels, clutter in the way, cars parked across the sidewalk, etc. You name it, it was an obstacle. Even worse, people DO NOT SEE YOU when you’re on wheels. Waiting in line is extra fun when the cashier, teller, etc begins taking the person behind you right over your head. That’s super fun. And by “super fun” I mean ridiculously frustrating when it’s every single transaction, not just one or two.

Red Scooter WOMAN is female and is named Karen. She is legally recognized as such, and she should be referred to by her preferred name and gender. WSB, can you annotate the original story to reflect this? It’s only respectful.

It looks to me like Karen has found a way to be seen and noticed, as well as a way to get around in a slightly more fun way than many of us with disabilities. I think her craftiness should be applauded, and until the sidewalks are clear and navigable, those of us driving should maybe slow the heck down and be a little more patient.