West Seattle Crime Watch: Peepers; car theft; break-in alerts; car prowl with question

Four West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight:

PEEPING INCIDENTS: From the Genesee-Schmitz Neighborhood Council list, word of two peeping incidents reported in the early morning hours Monday in the Genesee Hill area. No details, just word of a stranger at a window or door. GSNC says it’s been reported to police, who remind everyone to call 911 for something like this. (Side note: These types of incidents do not usually appear on the SPD police-report map, so unless we hear about them from you or from a non-closed list, we don’t hear about them for Crime Watch and can’t alert a wider group of neighbors – criminals don’t often just limit their activities to a single block or street or sub-neighborhood – editor@westseattleblog.com)

STOLEN CAR: From e-mail: “My car was stolen this morning,Ocean View & 35th. Thought it was a secured garage, had been for many years. BLACK HONDA CIVIC COUPE 2008. Police report filed. I want it back! License # 920XOS.” Call 911 if you see it.

SEAVIEW ALERT: From Deb:

In the last seven days, my Seaview neighborhood has had two residential break-ins and one attempted break-in. I’d like to remind WSB readers to turn lights on, use alarms if you have one, connect with your neighbors and keep a watch out for suspicious activity.

GATEWOOD CAR PROWL: A warning, and also a question:

Our car was ransacked last night (my fault…left it unlocked) but am curious if you or readers have advice when one’s registration has been stolen. They took our registration, insurance card, Discovery Pass, fishing licenses and tokens for the car wash. I can’t imagine what they may do with that stuff but don’t want to be naive. Also curious if anyone else in Gatewood had to deal with car prowlers last night/early this morning (October 28th).

29 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: Peepers; car theft; break-in alerts; car prowl with question"

  • joan October 28, 2014 (10:03 pm)

    Deb. Where in Seaview?

  • Julia October 28, 2014 (11:01 pm)

    Also, about the Seaview incidents, were they daytime or night?

  • Jon B October 28, 2014 (11:05 pm)

    We had a likely prowling or peeping incident on Sunday night/early Monday morning as well, 48th and Genesee, with loud banging on a wall or window of our home at around 9PM and again around midnight. At the time we were spooked but talked ourselves out of calling the police. In retrospect we did our neighbors a disservice by not following up right away. We’re on alert now.

  • me October 28, 2014 (11:11 pm)

    When your registration is stolen, the crooks know where you live so they can come back at a later time to rob you again. Also, they can request a duplicate key for your vehicle from a dealership since the car’s VIN is printed on it (especially typical of cars that us the RFID embedded keys), and then steal your car using the duplicate key at a later date.
    This is all information I was given by a police officer years ago when my car was broken into.
    My vehicle was also ransacked last year, but I didn’t have anything valuable in it-I keep my registration and insurance in my wallet with me.
    Report the incident to the police and file a report. Go to the licencing dept and tell them your registration was stolen and get a new certificate ($12-14), they will make a note on your vehicle’s record. Also report it to your insurance, you want to cover all your bases in case they do come back for your car, insurance will want a police report #. Don’t think it will raise your premium, but at least you will be prepared and have a paper trail in case they catch the crook somewhere down the road.
    Best of luck to you, sorry you were victimized.

  • howdy October 29, 2014 (5:04 am)

    My truck was broken into yesterday (Highland Park). 3rd time I’ve been hit in the last 8 months. They stole the registration (again), a couple of tools (again) and my visor caddy with an expired discover pass and expired national forest pass plus some other junk that I haven’t figured out yet. I’ve lived in WS my whole life and I’m getting tired of this place.

  • More October 29, 2014 (5:17 am)

    My back car window was broken yesterday around noon on a street above Thriftway. All we saw were trash trucks. No one saw anything or anyone & only parked for about 30 minutes. We have no idea what happened and nothing was taken.

  • Mike October 29, 2014 (6:08 am)

    “since the car’s VIN is printed on it” It’s also in your window, every car for the past few decades has a metal plate showing on the dash closer to the lower left of the windshield that has the cars VIN on it. If a dealer gives out keys that easily, they’re breaking the law.

  • chelle October 29, 2014 (6:15 am)

    Deb, I would also like to know where and when in seaview?

  • rudy October 29, 2014 (6:37 am)

    Please take peeping VERY seriously. We were victims of a brazen theft at the end of the summer – large rock through a huge window, which shattered all over our sleeping baby sitter. This was to steal her smart phone which they saw through the window while peeping. I would love to know if these current peeper(s) are related to our incident.

  • XXX October 29, 2014 (7:12 am)

    One way to avoid the stolen registration address problem is to use a PO box instead of the home address. Have anything remotely finance-related sent to the PO box. Extra hassle? Sure, but it beats the major hassle that ensues when something gets ripped off.

  • miws October 29, 2014 (7:44 am)

    Off the top of my head, I don’t recall the exact bordering streets that distinguish the Seaview Neighborhood, (if there are actually any, and Neighborhood Borders tend to be fluid anyway), but Seaview is generally considered to be between the Alaska and Morgan Junctions, and west of California.

    .

    Mike

  • SeaGirl October 29, 2014 (10:03 am)

    Thank you everyone for your answers regarding getting your registration stolen. And thank you WSB for posting my question. We heeded your advice and took the actions you suggested. I was really disappointed that people would do this (along with the other crimes listed on the blog week after week) so it was a needed reminder of how many people in the world are good, helpful individuals.

  • Jason October 29, 2014 (10:05 am)

    Car prowlers -usually- don’t take the time to go through your stuff while they are in your car.
    .
    The “smarter” ones will grab everything in sight, toss it into a backpack or other container, and sort through it all later. More than likely, most of the stuff they took is in the trash somewhere.

  • howdy October 29, 2014 (10:37 am)

    I think you’re right Jason except that anyone lazy enough to go through life pilfering junk from unattended cars is probably too lazy to dispose of trash properly. I took my dog for a long walk around the neighborhood yesterday to look for my stuff lying on the ground.

  • Sergio Valentine October 29, 2014 (10:54 am)

    cameras at ground level, pointing upward (defeats a hoodie) are the best way to ID these punks. Be sure to lock your cars. As for the peepers… call in everything. It’s the only way the police can get a jump or gather more evidence which gets them closer to an eventual arrest. We all have to do our part.

  • Gretchen F October 29, 2014 (11:12 am)

    Regarding one of the break-ins in Seaview. It was on 59th between Raymond and Juneau. It was our neighbor’s house on Thursday, 10/23, sometime between 10pm the previous night and 7:30 am thurs. The thieves busted the glass in the deck door. The owners were not home at the time. This is very unnerving and scary as it was so close to two of our homes.
    Keeping all doors lighted all night, having timers on indoor lights and keeping curtains closed when you are away (so thieves can’t see your stuff) all act as deterrents. I see an awful lot of homes in early morning hours without porch lights on.

  • BlairJ October 29, 2014 (11:19 am)

    I no longer put my original registration in my vehicle. Instead, I cover up most of my name and most of my address on the registration, copy it, and then put the copy in the vehicle. Same thing with my insurance card. That way thieves cannot determine my name or address, but law enforcement can confirm that the vehicle is registered, that I am the owner, and that I am insured.

  • bolo October 29, 2014 (11:58 am)

    Stolen auto registration and insurance paperwork can also be used for ID theft. I have folded up these papers into a ziploc bag and taped it up under the dashboard or behind the side of the carpet in the trunk. Paranoid? Probably, but my car(s) have been broken into over the years but these papers were never taken. What did they get? Stereo, sleeping bags, toys, CDs, gym bag, clothes, school books, library books, etc.

  • Rumbles October 29, 2014 (12:14 pm)

    It seems silly that we have to carry a registration in the car anyway. Can’t the police just check the computer and the tag on the license plate to see if it’s been paid or not? Seems a little 1985-ish.

  • C October 29, 2014 (1:26 pm)

    59th is exactly where? Can you please give the right #’d cross street. Thanks so much =>

  • Hutch October 29, 2014 (1:32 pm)

    The two recent peeping incidents occurred between Andover & Charleston.
    The person was seen peering through bedroom windows. Beware and lock your doors and windows.

  • D October 29, 2014 (7:14 pm)

    On what avenue between Andover and Charlestown ?

  • Hutch October 29, 2014 (8:09 pm)

    he two recent peeping incidents occurred between Andover & Charleston.
    The person was seen peering through bedroom windows. Beware and lock your doors and windows. Incidents occurred between Charleston and Andover 49th & 50th.

  • gretchenF October 29, 2014 (8:36 pm)

    Oops! 49th SW between Raymond & Juneau

  • Ryan October 29, 2014 (8:46 pm)

    Here is the border map for Seaview…
    http://www.city-data.com/neighborhood/Seaview-Seattle-WA.html

  • Seattle Sunsets October 29, 2014 (9:19 pm)

    Yes, scary to hear about this going on in such a nice part of West Seattle. I’ve personally seen some suspicious behavior recently in Seaview and reported it each time. Please keep a look out for during the day and night and report anything/anybody suspicious even if you aren’t sure, it’s better to have it documented and checked out rather than to just ignore it. If we’re proactive in doing so, we can help one another avoid potential problems. Bottom line, do everything you can to keep yourself and your neighbors safe.

    Also, as many of you know, there has been a terrible issue with the mail around the area. If you receive mail that doesn’t belong to you, please put it back in the mail. I have been gettin mail that isn’t mine, so I write “please forward” or “wrong address” and circle the correct address, then give it back to the carrier. I have even hand delivered mail that was left in my box by mistake. The post office has been notified and it appears the problem is definitely known. I understand that it’s a hassle, but just tossing it or recycling it is doing a disservice to the rightful owners. Hopefully the post office will sort this out soon!

    Stay safe…

  • yvonne October 29, 2014 (9:47 pm)

    I never leave my registration or insurance card in the car, I carry those items in my wallet. Since I am the sole driver they docs are always with me.

  • Dave October 30, 2014 (6:52 am)

    Beware UPS theft at our home on Tuesday in 5900 block of 49th. Best send UPS to your work address if you can

  • Thomas M. November 2, 2014 (9:44 pm)

    Sure the thumps weren’t raccoons? The little buggers will jump all over trash cans etc. in an attempt to knock them over and spill the “yummy” garbage. It is good for an adrenalin jolt, but if you have good bungee cords on your cans, they can’t really make a mess.

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