Emphasis patrols, graffiti vandalism, and a one-block crime study @ West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network

From last night’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting @ the Southwest Precinct:

WHERE POLICE ARE FOCUSED: Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis says their current emphasis patrols to get a step ahead of car prowlers include The Junction and Morgan Junction. As he has said at earlier community meetings, they made progress in former hotspot Highland Park over the summer. Data helps them figure out the hotspots – so if it happens to you, even if nothing is taken, please report it. And, he reiterated, please reduce car prowlers’ incentive by keeping stuff out of your vehicle.

Capt. Davis also said police are patroling Roxhill Park and some other area parks, as well as keeping an eye on certain people and places. He made mention of last week’s arrests near South Park, after officers spotted a stolen car linked to multiple West Seattle robberies.

By the way, court documents show that the adult suspect arrested in that incident, 19-year-old East Admiral resident Ayub M. Rage, is now charged with one count of second-degree robbery and one count of attempted second-degree robbery for two incidents last Thursday – a holdup at the Admiral 7-11 and an attempted holdup at the 41st/Admiral Chevron. His bail is set at $75,000, though prosecutors had requested $200,000.

Also discussed last night:

GRAFFITI VANDALISM: Police heard more about an especially prolific run of graffiti vandalism from Morgan Junction to Fauntleroy. One attendee pointed out that this symbol, sometimes called “the Satan Cross,” has been turning up in Morgan Junction and Seaview. Police said they had seen it too. (Here’s how to report graffiti vandalism.)

MYERS WAY WOES: Ongoing unsanctioned camping in the area has led to trespassing and electricity theft at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Myers Way, a representative told police. Operations Lt. Ron Smith said those are among the issues that Community Police Team Officer Todd Wiebke (todd.wiebke@seattle.gov) is continuing tohandle. The church rep said people are ducking under their fence to run extension cords to electrical outlets on the church building.

NORTH DELRIDGE CRIME/SAFETY PROJECT: Seattle Neighborhood Group project coordinator Jake Hellenkamp talked about a long-range project that’s launching to focus on one particular block in North Delridge – the 5400 block of Delridge Way SW, which includes the Delridge Library, Cottage Grove Commons, and several businesses. He said that location was chosen because of crime stats and conversations with local police. He’ll be focused on it for at least a year and has already started interviewing people in the area to put together a report. One goal: To figure out what really is happening there crime-wise, vs. what’s perceived to be happening. Another goal: A list of recommendations.He expects to have a community meeting (no date set yet).

CRIME PREVENTION COORDINATOR: Because of the 15th/Roxbury incident, our crew had to leave before Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon spoke. Earlier in the day, however, he had sent around a newsletter with information about preventing and dealing with mail theft and package theft – see it here (PDF).

The West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network skips November-December meetings because of the holidays but will be back in session the fourth Tuesday in January – watch wsblockwatchnet.wordpress.com for updates in the meantime!

7 Replies to "Emphasis patrols, graffiti vandalism, and a one-block crime study @ West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network"

  • Chuck October 26, 2016 (12:04 pm)

    So, about that graffiti… I’m encouraged that the police are aware of the now ubiquitous Leviathan Cross in the Morgan neighborhood (no small thing to stand and spray paint that large symbol all over the place), but was there any mention of having it removed/covered over? It seems that much of them are on flat electrical boxes, and not sure if those are Metro, traffic light power sources or private? Calling them an eyesore is an understatement. I’d paint over them myself but don’t want to get in trouble for trying to help. So, are we stuck with them, or does the city/county have a plan in place to remove all those (tags?) Not sure if gang related, or something more like a religious zealot based on the link provided. Sounds like I don’t need to call the cops to report the current ones, but happy to do so if it would help speed removal?

  • Chuck October 26, 2016 (12:19 pm)

    Graffiti report filed, just in case!

  • Jort Sandwich October 26, 2016 (12:49 pm)

    You can get a really good view of Junction car prowling-related activity from the large, glass windows of the Starbucks at Alaska and California.

    Or at least that must be what the police believe, because there are usually 3 to 5 officers in there for a few hours most nights. Thankfully they leave their fuel-burning cars idling in the alleyway behind the store in case they need to spring into action.

  • SillyGoose October 26, 2016 (12:54 pm)

     This symbol has been sprayed on the back of the street signs at the end of my block.  I filled out an online graffiti removal request and it was done in a couple days. 

  • M October 26, 2016 (8:58 pm)

    Looks like it is often sprayed painted with the letters “UTP”. I was disgusted to see that spray painted on the brand new zip line at Lincoln Park. 

  • Brian October 27, 2016 (6:57 am)

    In case it means anything to anyone, UTP stands for “Unite The Punks” based on the tag I saw a few weeks ago at the Morgan Junction RR stop next to Zeek’s on Fauntleroy Way.

    .

    Lord knows we need to unite those punks. Glad someone got the memo and is taking it to the streets. Maybe next time use flyers, though? 

  • MN November 2, 2016 (7:20 pm)

    We got tagged with a UTP on our doorstep last night (Morgan Junction).  That paint is really hard to remove from porous concrete, so thanks for spray-painting our home.  :(  

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