What Seattle Police SWAT officers are doing in South Delridge

Thanks for the texted tips about Seattle Police SWAT officers at 9200 16th SW. Unlike last week’s West Seattle sighting, this was NOT training – this is for real. They’re carrying out a search warrant, police said at the scene. Too soon for details, they said, but they described it as a “drug-related warrant.”

City records show an auto-repair business licensed at the site through the end of last year.

54 Replies to "What Seattle Police SWAT officers are doing in South Delridge"

  • DevNull July 23, 2015 (4:43 pm)

    Me thinks you need to adjust the size of the first picture.

    • WSB July 23, 2015 (4:44 pm)

      Thanks, was still in the triple-checking phase, should be OK now…

  • Delridge Neighbor July 23, 2015 (6:24 pm)

    It’s about time!!!! They don’t even try to hide what they are doing there and I’m sick of watching kids walk out and inspect everything they just bought on the street corner.

  • MotorMike July 23, 2015 (6:56 pm)

    Delridge Neighbor, are you on Nextdoor.com? There are a bunch of us nearby communicating about things like this and elevating it to the police.

  • EugeneUtopia July 23, 2015 (8:01 pm)

    I’d LOVE to rent out that space and run a legitimate shop from there! Hopefully the owner is inspired to rent to new tenants, or sell it if its them!

  • dick July 23, 2015 (8:16 pm)

    if you are seeing KIDS walking out inspecting stuff you are across the wrong property. the property on corner of 16th and Barton only serves people of LEGAL age. so please don’t put out false information on this publication.

  • um, I forgot July 23, 2015 (8:31 pm)

    Great, now where am I going to go for “Barry White” and “Snoop shizzle”? What’s the world coming to? You mean to tell me that a store behind a repair shop, operating out of a storage container, with no storefront isn’t legit? Who knew? I’m bummed, bro. Totally blew my mellow.

  • Ben July 23, 2015 (8:37 pm)

    I believe this is the shop that’s on 16th and Cambridge.

    • WSB July 23, 2015 (8:39 pm)

      I have substituted the address, which according to our photographer is 9200 16th SW, and the picture on King County Parcel Viewer confirms that.

  • AJP July 23, 2015 (8:43 pm)

    Isn’t this where someone was shot a couple years ago?

  • miws July 23, 2015 (9:02 pm)

    And I can confirm what’s already been confirmed, that WSB has had the correct location all along. I live very near there.

    .

    Mike

  • Amie M July 23, 2015 (9:22 pm)

    Correct location. I live one block from there. There is also a auto repair shop at 16th & Cambridge, but this is 16th & Barton.

    So glad police are finally doing something about the drug problems in this neighborhood. I hear them whistling to signal each other all afternoon and all night until I fall asleep. I want so badly to get out of this sh*t-hole neighborhood.

  • Neighborhood guy July 23, 2015 (9:33 pm)

    I’ve noticed this place for the two years I’ve lived here and it’s always frustrated me. I was returning from a walk today and saw all the police and seriously got so excited! I really want them to be proactive in cleaning our neighborhood up. I’m just surprised it took so long with this one as it was SO OBVIOUS!

  • AmandaKH July 23, 2015 (10:01 pm)

    Fantastic!!

  • Delridge Neighbor July 23, 2015 (10:06 pm)

    Dick- it is kids because I live right behind this place on 15th. What would an “auto repair” shop need to serve to people of age?
    Neighborhood Guy – I have to pass this place everyday to get home and when I saw the yellow tape today I got excited too! I was smiling and laughing in the car, pretty sure my son thought I was crazy.

  • nachobeaver July 23, 2015 (11:09 pm)

    So I don’t get it?? Was the service station dealing or is there another store front there?? Because when I walked by police were taking pics in the service station and the storage containers next to it and they looked to be bagging and tagging stuff also seen to young kids in cuffs and I thought a couple old dudes ran that place?? But I have noticed an uptick in traffic there especially at night lately..

  • JoB July 24, 2015 (6:17 am)

    what the photo doesn’t show is the church tucked behind the unmarked “store”.
    oh wait..i’m wrong. you can see it.

  • Broos July 24, 2015 (7:22 am)

    I live a block away and have been marveling at the brazen operation. There seemed to be two businesses operating there. An auto shop that would occasionally be open, but every day people (kids and adults) would drive up, walk through a white gate on the left of the building (between the building and the storage container) and walk out 3 to 5 minutes later. Some times they’d just hang out with their friends on our corner enjoying their purchase… maybe clean their car out on our planter strip.
    It was ridiculously obvious that they were not buying auto parts.
    I called SPD months ago and received no response, so seeing yellow tape and the SWAT vehicle was pretty thrilling.

  • Melissa July 24, 2015 (8:30 am)

    I’m so glad they closed down that place before someone got hurt. I have never seen a dispensary do so much business; It was obvious that they must have had thousands of dollars on the premises.

    I was afraid that they would be robbed and an innocent bystander got hurt in the crossfire.

    It would be nice to have a legitimate business there.

    Thanks SPD

    • WSB July 24, 2015 (8:37 am)

      I checked back with SPD this morning and they promise more information is forthcoming. We’ll post an updated story as soon as we get it.

  • sue July 24, 2015 (8:59 am)

    What many of you seem to forget is that police can’t just “go in & take care of business” when they get a tip from the public, or elsewhere. They have to gather information, develop the case, work with the prosecutor, identify the suspect(s), etc. It’s not a slam dunk – and it takes TIME. Don’t assume that just because YOU don’t see action that it’s not happening behind the scenes.

  • Marianne July 24, 2015 (9:26 am)

    Finally.

  • julianne farmer July 24, 2015 (10:44 am)

    Thanks so much for this coverage. I am really looking forward to finding out more about the operation and arrests. Until a few months ago an identical operation was being run out of the house next door, using their garage and crawl space as well as the home.Our CPT were very assertive. Now the people living there have been walking over toward this location. I hope it doesn’t increase again over here.

  • julie July 24, 2015 (10:47 am)

    Interesting that this story didnt make the news. If it was in Alki or Admiral neighborhoods it surely would be front and center news.

    • WSB July 24, 2015 (11:03 am)

      Julie, this story DID make the news – right here. WSB *is* a news publication, run by journalists. Anyway, TV stations often follow up stories we break, all over West Seattle, really, east or west, south or north; last night, however, they were kind of busy with the International District murder and the Monfort sentencing, among other things, so I doubt they had anyone to roll on spec to a drug-warrant raid (we’ve covered many such raids that haven’t attracted citywide attention, and a few that have, but it largely depends on what info is available, and as we wrote here, not much yet – but since SPD Public Affairs is gathering information on this, you will likely see something on conventional media outlets if they publish the info to SPD Blotter) – Tracy

  • Eric July 24, 2015 (12:13 pm)

    Misinformation? To echo what has already been said, why would an auto body place “serve kids of age?” That doesn’t even make sense. I live on the other side of Westwood Village, butI drive through this street all the time on my way to work in the morning and between 17th and 16th and Barton, I have seen shady characters hanging out in the shadows doing what looked like to me, drugs. Now it makes sense. Also, it looks like someone is attempting to clean up that traffic circle on 17th and Barton. Nice job. I have seen in the past TV’s and other things dumped off there and on the corner. It sucks that a few POS have to ruin it for others.

  • WCNeighbor July 24, 2015 (12:48 pm)

    Thank you WSB for this coverage! Thank you SPD for taking care of this blatant operation. I wish they would take care of the one down our street too. I was delighted when I saw squad and special unit cars on the scene.
    Let’s hope it’s the end of them.

  • MotorMike July 24, 2015 (1:52 pm)

    Eric, I just wanted to say thank you for noticing the traffic circle clean up. I will let those involved know that you like it.

  • NotOnHolden July 24, 2015 (4:19 pm)

    The traffic circle clean up is great! We drive by at least once a day!

    As for this place on 16th, about time. Maybe if they were a little more on the down low, who knows? It was just so obvious and I wondered if there was more than just pot…

    • WSB July 24, 2015 (4:31 pm)

      Update – No followup info today, I’ve just been told. I don’t even know if anyone was arrested, and (ostensibly) drugs is too broad a category to search the Jail Register and try to guess who’s who … so nothing until Monday, at this rate. – TR

  • Melissa July 24, 2015 (4:58 pm)

    I’m curious can anyone confirm the rumor that the property owner was deceased?

  • Neighborhood Guy July 24, 2015 (5:11 pm)

    The traffic circle clean up is indeed wonderful. I too have noticed and it makes me happy. There are a few little things like that happening which I think are wonderful. However, back to the topic at hand. I’ve driven by there twice today and, although I can’t tell if people are entering, the foot traffic and “suspect” behavior is still very strong…

  • beealive July 24, 2015 (5:51 pm)

    I’d like to add that the improvements people are noticing in the area are down to the efforts of a small group of residents that care about the neighborhood. When people realize the power lies with them to organize, work with local officials and make meaningful connections with other members of their community, things can, and will change for the better. Now is the time to take responsibility and ask yourself what you can do to be part of the solutions.

  • Alan July 24, 2015 (5:55 pm)

    @Julie – It is wonderful to have the WSB for our local news media. If it were not for them, there is much that happens around here we would not be aware of, or at least would not know the details. Even when events do make the regional news, WSB has more information and is frequently their source.

  • miws July 24, 2015 (7:17 pm)

    I was just talking about this with someone, and they said that per 911, if anyone continues to see suspicious activity around this place, to call 911.

    .

    If possible, have descriptions of people involved, any car(s), and the license plate number(s).

    .

    Mike

  • WCneighbor July 25, 2015 (8:25 am)

    Thanks WSB for reporting this incident. This has been going on for over a year!
    Hopefully you get a report from SPD soon because something very strange is STILL going on there.

    Yesterday in the afternoon 1PM -2PM. seen were many cars still coming and going in and out. After reading the note on the fence at the back gate they would speed off.
    They were mostly male drivers, in different kinds of cars ,and in the age range of 20’s to 60’s.

    Later near 2PM a group of young men (about 4-5 of them) all wearing black T-shirts stood on the corner of the Auto station and BOLDLY and loudly started directing everyone coming in to ” go to the South Park area around 14th AVE near a stop light….and go near the 76 gas station area.’

    Also seen were cop cars patroling the area too, but strangely none of this was going on when they drove by.

  • Kravitz July 25, 2015 (12:14 pm)

    I read through every comment above, and then the last one by @WCneighbor was very troubling. So sad to hear that the pieces o’ trash that are part of the problem are bold enough and intimidating enough to stand there and direct ‘customers’ to their new location. It sickens me. So SPD, looks like you have a new address/location to investigate and build a case on. Please, go get them. And help change this community for the better. We are sick and tired of being scared to live here.

  • Firevixen July 25, 2015 (1:22 pm)

    I too just finished reading every comment on this story – WCneighbor did you call the police non-emergency number 625-5011 and report the details you saw yesterday afternoon? If SPD doesn’t know they cannot begin to do anything – concerned citizens are their eyes and ears and if we really care about where we live our responsibility.

  • Principal July 26, 2015 (8:34 am)

    WSB – any update on the executions of this warrant?

    • WSB July 26, 2015 (8:40 am)

      No, hoping some info will be available tomorrow. SPD Media Relations only handles major breaking news on weekends, nobody in the office to work on information requests like this.

      • WSB July 27, 2015 (10:00 am)

        In case anyone is checking back … we’re still trying to get info from SPD; I have just checked in with them again. We also have checked the files of unsealed search warrants; nothing related to this, but that could be just because it’s an ongoing case. We’ll stay on it …

  • barton July 27, 2015 (10:13 am)

    I am definitely still interested in the details of this case – thank you for your continual updates. I noticed that the auto shop business was open today – there is a small sign taped to the side of the building but I have not seen what it says. Has anyone ventured over there to read it?

  • MotorMike July 27, 2015 (10:49 am)

    @WSB I’m also still interested in hearing the follow up.

    To everyone else who lives near by. We must call the police on suspicious activity like this. Without those calls they most likely do not know about it. And if the entire neighborhood calls they take it much more seriously.

  • Jet July 27, 2015 (11:33 am)

    They sold Marijuana and marijuana products only.last time I checked marijuana was legal.

  • Chewbacca July 27, 2015 (12:06 pm)

    At the risk of being labeled a “lowlife scumbag”, I would just like to say I’ve taken my cars there for the past twenty years, they do good work at a fair price, I don’t know about the other business anymore than I know what my hairdresser does on her own time but atthe very least if you’re going to muckrake, get your story straight.

  • MotorMike July 27, 2015 (3:48 pm)

    @Chewbacca,

    Jet says they sold marijuana. The address is not registered as a dispensary, so it’s illegal. When was the last time you took your car there for repair? Was it the same mechanic or owner as it was twenty years ago?

  • ALou July 27, 2015 (4:09 pm)

    @MotorMike, @Jet

    At this point, you need to be licensed marijuana retailer to legally sell in Washington. Even the dispensaries, which had been trying to skate through under the radar are being phased out. The location in question is neither of these. Thus if it is in fact selling marijuana, it is doing so illegally.

  • Chewbacca July 27, 2015 (4:21 pm)

    Motor Mike, yes, same owner…Actually marijuana is legal but the laws are still being worked out at the state level so while I agree it may not be “legal” at this time, it’s my understanding that it’s kind of like the wild west out there right now and nothing has been totally decided yet as to how it’s going to work. Personally I don’t use the substance but until I know exactly what’s allowed under the law I’m not going to go around being the judge and jury to those who do choose to be involved. I was just taken aback by the animosity from people who really don’t even know the whole story but then again I guess that’s the world we live in today.

  • motormike July 27, 2015 (4:42 pm)

    OMG…This definitely isn’t something that we want across from a community center.

  • lefty July 27, 2015 (7:51 pm)

    bouttime

  • lefty July 27, 2015 (7:51 pm)

    the king is dethroned

  • Chewbacca July 27, 2015 (8:22 pm)

    Maybe it’s time to find a new auto mechanic…..

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