West Seattle Crime Watch: ‘Flasher’ reported near local school

(UPDATED WEDNESDAY MORNING with additional description information)

2:07 PM: Thanks to the Holy Rosary School parent who forwarded this message just sent to families:

I hate to have to report to you that a “Flasher” came by the school today at around 12:30. They did not make themselves known in the usual area, which is the play toy section of the playground. He appeared in a white car on 41st and jumped out of the car at the gates that open on the driveway into the school. The gates were closed, as they always are. He then jumped back into the car and drove away. One girl saw the activity and her parents were notified. The police were notified and showed up within minutes.

The most-recent “flasher” reports near a local school in our archives were by Chief Sealth IHS in February and in January. The last one we have on record near Holy Rosary was last September; the vehicle in that one was described as a silver minivan. We’re checking with police to see if they have any more information about what was reported today.

2:18 PM: Just talked to Det. Patrick Michaud in SPD media relations – they don’t have any additional information so far.

8:51 PM: We asked Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis about this during tonight’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting. Nothing new, he said – one challenge was elapsed time between the incident and the time it was reported, so police will renew efforts to help schools teach about fast reporting and detailed descriptions.

ADDED 11:30 AM WEDNESDAY: As per the comment discussion, we have checked back with police yet again to see if any description information is available. Now that the written report is in, here’s what they have: “White male w/ long brown hair wearing a hat. A white 4-door car.”

11 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: 'Flasher' reported near local school"

  • s May 19, 2015 (2:35 pm)

    Can the school put up security cameras? Or neighboring houses?

  • clulessinws May 19, 2015 (3:06 pm)

    S – There was a sign up to on the north side of HR playground fence that said the area is under surveillance so hopefully they were able to get video or stills of this person and their vehicle.

  • LKC May 19, 2015 (8:06 pm)

    Can we please get a description of the guy? This happened to my daughter at Madison a few years back. The more info we have, the more likely we are to be on the lookout and catch these criminals.

  • David Kannas May 20, 2015 (7:51 am)

    It would be of help if a description beyond “they” would be included in these posts.

    • WSB May 20, 2015 (8:11 am)

      David, this is the entirety of the information that’s available. We always include every bit of info we have access to. I asked about it last night at the Crime Prevention Council as well as calling police to follow up right after getting the forwarded note from the school. This is it, so far. (If anyone reading this knows otherwise, please speak up.)

  • RT May 20, 2015 (8:52 am)

    On the news last night it was reported that security cameras have been ordered but are not yet installed.

    • WSB May 20, 2015 (8:58 am)

      That was mentioned in the full length of the note from which we published the first report. Specifically, the principal wrote the cameras are expected “any day now.”

      • WSB May 20, 2015 (11:30 am)

        UPDATE: The written report is now available to SPD media relations so I talked to them yet another time to ask if any descriptive information is available. “White male w/ long brown hair wearing a hat. A white 4-door car.”

  • Westgirl May 20, 2015 (3:01 pm)

    I just drove by Holy Rosary and noticed 2 Police cars parked out front.

  • Al May 20, 2015 (5:04 pm)

    WSB. How can I reach you directly.

    • WSB May 20, 2015 (5:27 pm)

      “Contact” tab on every WSB page has all our info.

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