West Seattle Crime Watch: More car prowls

11:39 AM: He’s said it before, and last night at the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting (full story to come), Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis said it again: Car prowling remains our area’s biggest crime problem. This morning, we have two reader reports:

36TH SW NORTH OF FAUNTLEROY: Mike sent the photo and reports, “Someone smashed our car’s tinted rear window early this morning. SPD officer stated this is happening more frequently. Thieves are only breaking tinted glass to check for valuables. Nothing taken.”

WESTCREST PARK: Janet reports, “My passenger window was smashed and bag grabbed in main parking lot (by community garden) at Westcrest Dog Park around 5:30 p.m. yesterday, 2/23. Bag stolen. Reported to police, but be careful!”

ADDED 1:59 PM: We’ve heard from Taren about a Sunrise Heights car prowl mentioned in comments:

We had an auto break-in last night on 35th Avenue SW in front of Trinity Church near Holden. The burglar/vandal broke the passenger side window with a rock. The key items stolen were a medium (18×10) grey metal toolbox containing primarily craftsman screwdrivers and pliers, a red back-pack style auto emergency kit (purchased pre-filled) and a large new-in-box Star Wars toy (black box… Star Wars The Black Series Jabba’s Rancor Pit Set).

ACG February 24, 2016 (12:05 pm)

Noticed yesterday as I was driving past Lincoln Park’s north lot that a car had the passenger side window smashed out. This was around 3:00 in the afternoon and in the row of parking right next to Fauntleroy. People are pretty brazen, that’s for sure.

Jay Koster February 24, 2016 (12:14 pm)

Another broken window and prowl; one of my residents reported his vehicle was violated last night. Large rock through the passenger window. He lost a silver/grey toolbox and a large black box with a Star Wars label on the side.

I’ve advised he report to SPD, and he’ll probably submit a report to Crime Watch here too.

Jay Koster February 24, 2016 (12:15 pm)

Forgot to mention: he’d parked in front of Trinity West Seattle on 35th SW between SW Austin and SW Ida.
Dave February 24, 2016 (3:20 pm)

I am the owner of the stolen items. There was also an older, nylon green military rucksack with just general work clothes contained within. On the back side of the pack is the name “Cliff Ivey” in bolden black marker.

Also a small auto roadside emergency kit from Costco, unopened all in a small red backpack style bag.

LC February 24, 2016 (12:27 pm)

Does anyone ever notice that these incidents are largely the result of people leaving stuff in their cars, like laptops, bags, purses, phones, and tool boxes?

take that stuff in your house. These crimes of convenience!

Mikensuz February 24, 2016 (12:36 pm)

We had pretty much nothing in the car except grocery bags.
WSB February 24, 2016 (12:43 pm)

Yes, police reiterate, please don’t leave anything in your car, not even for a minute. However, the crimes are the *result* of people committing crimes. If they strike out again and again and again, they hopefully will eventually be dissuaded, but crimes are not the victims’ fault. – TR
- LC February 24, 2016 (1:15 pm)
  
  i was suggesting taking proactive responsibility to prevent the crime, not blaming the victim.
  
  perhaps one day we will live in a world where crime doesn’t exist. For now, however, take your stuff inside.

Lola February 24, 2016 (2:11 pm)

Sounds like having tinted window’s is also a means for them to break in. If they can’t see in they will break it just to see if they might get lucky. Unless you have a garage to keep your vehicle in your s—–d.

DB February 24, 2016 (2:11 pm)

We also saw the car at Lincoln Park, still there around 5pm – likely a commuter, my friend used to park there and bus to capital hill – but we also commented on how “out in the open” this was; BOLD!!

Casey February 24, 2016 (2:53 pm)

The North Lincoln Park lot is a hot spot, I’d support a couple cameras there.

Elle Nell February 24, 2016 (3:41 pm)

First off, stop leaving things in your car! That is the reason they break in and don’t get me wrong, I just had my purse smashed and grabbed but still… Do NOT leave anything in your car and when did Lincoln park become a park and ride? Honest question..

Bradley February 24, 2016 (4:16 pm)

@LC and ELLE NELL: Stop blaming the victims of these expensive and outrageously-bold crimes. This is the same thing as when people tell women not to dress nicely/look pretty in public so they won’t get raped. If no one left visible valuables in their cars, these thieves would randomly smash into car windows to look for things to steal, anyway (see photo of broken tinted window above).

LC February 25, 2016 (7:47 am)

@bradley property crime and assault are totally different things. Quit trying to demonize people by muddling context.

above all don’t leave your MacBook in your Subaru.
- Bradley February 25, 2016 (3:12 pm)
  
  @LC: How about stop enabling criminals (of any kind) by blaming victims for the actions of the crooks? Talk about muddling. Property crimes can easily turn into assaults/robberies (or worse), and oftentimes do.

ACG February 24, 2016 (4:20 pm)

Interesting. Maybe the bus commuters should pick a different place for a “park and ride”. Camera’s would be a good idea. Or turn the lot into a off leash area and let all the free roaming dogs bite any would-be burglars.

NW February 24, 2016 (4:45 pm)

Haven’t had a break in to my truck but then again I leave nothing inside have no tinted windows and it is always unlocked. I do use a club to lock the steering wheel.

they February 24, 2016 (5:30 pm)

Interesting not one comment about how to get tougher on the criminal just comments on how to inconvenience law abiding citizens.

carole February 24, 2016 (5:52 pm)

I am thinking about putting a note on my dashboard: Nothing of value in this car. I do use a club.

FormulaReed February 24, 2016 (6:18 pm)

Someone stole a car cover off my car that was in my drive way today. It was a really cheep cover with a hole in it, so I’m surprised that any one would bother to take it. The car was not messed with and nothing was taken. I live at 11th ave sw and Barton.

dsa February 24, 2016 (8:41 pm)

The cover will make a nice tent for a homeless person. Consider it a contribution because with our silly council they are here to stay. BTW, the I heard the Salvation Army has empty beds at their 4th Ave location, but the rules seem to be too strict.

AMD February 24, 2016 (9:22 pm)

Does Seattle have an active bait car program (I know they’ve had them in the past)? Is there something we’re not doing that we should be to get some of these thieves on camera and in front of a judge for all these car prowls?

WSB February 24, 2016 (9:35 pm)

Capt. Davis was asked about bait cars at the Block Watch Captains Network meeting (hoping to finish the story before this night is over). He said they’ve been tried before and just didn’t work – the crooks didn’t fall for the bait. He was short on specifics, though – so I don’t know what year, what precinct, etc. …

annika February 25, 2016 (12:05 pm)

My car window was shattered by what seems like a bb gun. Nothing was stolen. Sometimes this happens without a theft. 59th and Alki.

Wally February 25, 2016 (1:30 pm)

I’ve had my truck window smashed and work bag taken from Westcrest dog park before. I’ve also noticed and seen many other cars that have had the same thing happen there too. I now leave literally nothing in my car anymore, and try to park on the north end lot and haven’t had it happen again since. Sorry for your loss…

Elle Nell February 25, 2016 (6:18 pm)

Hey Brad, dont be ridiculous… I am NOT by any means blaming victims. There will ALWAYS be theives. Do not fool yourself into thinking this can be stopped. Those of us that have had this happen a dozen or so times, are giving warning. This is how you STOP yourself from being victimized. Wake up!

Bradley February 26, 2016 (4:30 pm)

“Wake up?” I’ve had my truck/car(s) broken into several times in West Seattle since 1991. I have actually apprehended/interrupted car prowlers in the act right in front of my house(s) and neighbors’ homes. One of these turned violent as the prowler and I surprised each other late at night. I’ve had ONE car stereo stolen of all the break-ins over these years. ALL of the other ones were when I had nothing in the vehicle besides old french fries and dirty nickels under the seats. Car prowl victims come in all shapes and sizes. Simply telling people not to leave valuables in their vehicles won’t stop these vermin. They will smash and search, anyway. They know that nearly nothing happens to them when they get arrested/caught in the act.

Sarge March 10, 2016 (3:44 pm)

LC, you’re an ass. I hope your car windows get smashed out next.

Both my car and my wife’s car have recently had the windows broken out in High Point. Along with quite a few others in the same area.

Know what the lowlife scum bags took from my car? Nothing. A stinky dog bed.

Think I should take that out every night LC?

These are local kids with nothing better to do then vandalize cars late at night and steal worthless stuff just to show off to each other how “bad ass” they are. I hope to police catch them before I do.

Sorry, comment time is over.