West Seattle Crime Prevention Council, report #1: Trends, updates

(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
First of two reports from tonight’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting: The Southwest Precinct’s second-in-command, Operations Lt. Ron Smith, had a long list of quick updates on crime trends and individual situations. Top of the list, the investigation of the death discovered at the scene of this morning’s 24th SW fire, barely a block southwest of the precinct. We had asked Lt. Smith about it before the meeting began, and he mentioned that in addition to SPD joining the investigation by mid-morning (photo above), ATF arson investigators checked out the scene a few hours later. Still no official word on what if anything they found in what Lt. Smith called a “full-blown investigation” – only that it’s “somewhat suspicious … it might not be (a crime) but … we’re at a very preliminary part of the investigation.” The victim has not been identified, nor has her cause of death been announced.

Other case updates/mentions and trends:

ADMIRAL DISTRICT GRAFFITI VANDALISM: The SPD graffiti detective is on the case of the extensive vandalism that’s been happening lately in The Admiral District, particularly from the Admiral Theater to the former Charlestown Café site (where a development project is pending). Call police, take photos of the vandalism, then paint it over, Lt. Smith advised. Meeting attendees also noted that graffiti can be reported through the city’s Find It, Fix It app. (You can also report it on the Web or by phone – here’s info on the SPD website.)

BURGLARY ARRESTS: A recent break-in on 46th SW led to three arrests, according to Lt. Smith, who also mentioned last weekend’s arrests in a South Delridge-area incident on 16th SW. A neighbor at the meeting said the apartment was vacant because its former resident had been evicted. And he briefly mentioned the Super Deli Mart burglary/arrest.

SOUTH PARK LURING ATTEMPTS: A detective has been assigned to the case (mentioned here April 5th).

PROPERTY CRIMES DOWN: Overall, Lt. Smith said, so far this month, auto theft, burglaries, and car prowls are at about half the average rate. But he said car prowling might be underreported and implores anyone affected to file a report: “If it’s not reported, it doesn’t exist,” and they can’t assign or divert resources.

ACTION PLAN IN THE WORKS: Lt. Smith says he’s working on the “warm-weather plan of action for all of West Seattle – Lincoln Park, Alki, other parks, viewpoints …”

And that includes:

WESTWOOD VILLAGE: He acknowledged community concern (although no one spoke up about it at the meeting) about “aggressive” juveniles causing trouble at Westwood Village, and said they’re using different strategies to work on that – for example, new merchants are being required to enter into a “trespass” agreement with police, which means that troublemakers can be barred from a store’s premises. Asked by WSCPC president Richard Miller about a notable police response in the Westwood area yesterday, Lt. Smith said it was a traffic stop in which a suspect “got confrontational” so the officer called for backup.

SCHOOL-ZONE SAFETY ON DELRIDGE: Robin Graham from the K-5 STEM PTA said they’re happy to have the school-zone beacon-enhanced signage near the school on Delridge Way, but would love to have a temporary radar speed sign to show drivers how fast they’re going. Lt. Smith said he could probably make that happen as soon as next week (school’s not in session this week because of spring break).

Our second report will center on the presentation by, and Q/A with, SPD Crisis Intervention Team members; depending on how the news stream goes, we’ll likely publish that tomorrow.

7 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Prevention Council, report #1: Trends, updates"

  • Sandal41 April 16, 2014 (8:01 am)

    So bummed to have missed this meeting. I started attending the meetings a few months back and believe that the people in the community who voice concerns in the comment threads should start attending. THE POLICE LISTEN, FACE TO FACE.

    • WSB April 16, 2014 (8:16 am)

      Sandal, we have reported numerous past cases in which they indeed do, and I have yet to see a meeting where they ran out of time for community concerns. Last night Lt. Smith was clearly prepared for questions about a long list of cases that have made news here lately. Anybody wants to mark their calendar for the next one – third Tuesday, 7 pm, so that’ll be May 20th (they do skip a couple months in the summer, as do many community groups). We’ve been covering the WSCPC meetings for six and a half years, missing only a handful along the way, and while the volunteers of the group schedule guest(s) most months, otherwise, the meetings are only as good as the attendees make them.

  • ScubaFrog April 16, 2014 (9:03 am)

    Sadly I was indisposed. I’d like to have addressed my concerns about Alki – thunderous bass stereos (they’ll drive right by police units, and not even be told to turn it down), motorcycles flying by in packs of 30+ riders, doing 100mph or standing on their seats and riding the motorcycle like a ‘surfboard’. Cars cruising up-and-down, up-and-down Alki, swerving in-and-out of lanes, many drivers obviously impaired. ALL that madness goes on with no recourse. With very little, to no police presence down here on those famously busy days, it’s a recipe for disaster – sadly it usually takes the first annual shooting or death for authorities to address Alki’s sunny days. At one point, years ago, Seattle Police used to at least enforce the sound and cruising ordinances down here, and address speeding violations. Now IF they’re down here, they’re usually parked in their reserved 1-2 spots, enjoying a cold beverage, watching the madness unfold.

  • Garden_nymph April 16, 2014 (3:27 pm)

    ScubaFrog,it would be great if you could make it to a meeting to voice your concerns directly to the hardworking SPD, instead of merely complaining here. Please also let them know that you only approve of their consumption of lukewarm beverages…

  • drahcir61 April 16, 2014 (7:20 pm)

    ScubaFrog, reckless drivers & trouble makers are all over West Seattle not just Alki or the Junction. You don’t get police preference just because you live in the “wealthy” areas.

  • Brenda April 16, 2014 (7:55 pm)

    ScubaFrog-

    Go Apply….. And who knows, you just might make a difference.

  • Rose April 18, 2014 (1:27 am)

    *drahcir61, I’m not saying at all that I agree with ScubaFrog.

    *I can tell you though that not everyone on Alki or in the the Junction is “wealthy”. I know from much experience that there are numerous apartments on Alki that are overpriced and run-down, filled with middle and even lower classed folk.

    *Yes- Alki has it’s fair share of upper class people who lives in outrageously expensive condos. But in that mix you also get some people who work minimum wage jobs, drive used cars, buy used clothes & furniture, etc just so they can make the choice of spending most of their earnings on rent in order to live on the beach.

    *Yes, Alki might need more Police activity going on but so do most other areas. Stereotyping anyone who has an opinion though isn’t going to help anything.

Sorry, comment time is over.