West Seattle Crime Watch: 3 cars targeted, family keepsake gone

| Crime | Safety | West Seattle news

The latest West Seattle Crime Watch reports we’ve received involve three cars, three neighborhoods around the peninsula, from Admiral all the way south almost to White Center — one broken into, one tagged, and one stolen while its owner was moving, with a precious family keepsake now gone – read on for details (and prevention info, too):

First, the stolen car and keepsake, reported by Bolo:

I’m reporting this for a friend who is in the process of moving back into West Seattle, and has no computer at the moment:

K.C. Parked his truck in the driveway near the street (in the 9400 block of Olson Place SW, Olson Place nearing the intersection w/ SW Roxbury) [map] noon Monday August 24. Within 40 minutes it was stolen. It was locked, no GPS, laptop, backpack to draw attention to a would-be thief.

He immediately made a police report, called around to the local tow companies, and is hoping it will soon show up abandoned somewhere in the area.

He is most concerned about the family scrapbook he had in the truck; both his parents passed away recently and it was all he had to comfort him, no other family nearby.

Here is the truck info:
1987 Toyota Four Runner
Silver w/ black top
WA Lic. A97008D
Stolen 12:00 – 12:40 pm Monday 24 August, near Olson Pl SW and SW Roxbury.

Next, to one of West Seattle’s northernmost neighborhoods:

That’s part of a photo sent by Eric, showing spray-paint tagging vandalism on a white Volvo; in its entirety, the “tag” was a four-letter vulgarity starting with “p.” He says it happened Monday night: “No other cars were touched – including other nearby white vehicles. By the way, the owners of the tagged vehicle are the nicest people you’d ever have the privilege to meet. This was at 45th and SW Walker [map], close to the fire station.”

And Cheryl in Fauntlee Hills sent this late last night:

Just wanted you to know about another broad daylight car “break in” in the Fauntleroy area. This time in Fauntlee Hills, which is kind of rare for us b/c this isn’t the easiest neighborhood to get in and out of (no through streets).

Weirder still is that most of the neighbors on my street were all home, or just getting home when this ocurred and none of us saw or heard a thing.

The Ford SUV of my neighbors directly across the street from me was rummaged through somewhere between 4pm and 5:30 pm.

We live on SW Trenton St between 40th and 41st [map].

The thieves went through the glove box & center console — taking a cell phone, some reading glasses & loose change. The vehicle was parked on the street in front of their house, unlocked.

I was home with my door & windows open (sitting out front during this time frame for at least a 1/2 hour). My contractor was here working on my new fence. Other neighbors on the corner were in their garden, another neighbor was unloading groceries, yet another loading their kids up in their van.

Most of us on this block work from home and have dogs, etc. The only thing I saw was a 20-something Asian guy walking down my hill who I didn’t recognize, but he was nicely dressed & didn’t seem suspicious so I just made eye contact & thought nothing more about it.

My neighbor plans to report the theft, if he hasn’t already. But I just want to let the folks know in my neighborhood that it looks like we’re just as vulnerable here in Fauntlee Hills as the rest of West Seattle.

Be vigilant everyone, watch out for each other, and if you don’t recognize someone cruising your sidewalk, make a point of staring them down so they know you SEE them, take note of their clothes/appearance/car… And don’t be afraid to speak up, or pass unusual happenings on
to SPD.

Side note: One of our area’s two major crime-prevention groups meets this week – the South Delridge/White Center Community Safety Coalition, 6 pm Thursday, St. James Place (9418 18th SW). The rest of the peninsula is covered by the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council, which resumes its regular monthly meetings in September, 7 pm Sept. 15, Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster). And at any time, if you want to know more about Block Watch or other crime-prevention programs, here’s how to reach the SW Precinct’s crime-prevention coordinator Benjamin Kinlow.

angrywestseattleite August 26, 2009 (11:08 am)

I am goiong to ignite a firestorm here but I am
saying it anyway.

Rebuild low income housing and you get low income behavior.

I am sick of the break ins, I am sick of the stolen cars, the tagging and the panhandling!!!!!!!!!!!

sacatosh August 26, 2009 (12:28 pm)

Wow, classism comes out again. Many of us barely scrape by, especially in this economy, but we’re certainly not thieves. We’re all just one cancer diagnosis away from that low-income housing, so watch the stones you throw. If you think you’re not, think again. I have personal, current knowledge of a very healthy family member, solidly upper-middle class, who was just diagnosed with terminal cancer. He will likely have to divorce his wife of 45 years and use public assistance in order to have continued cancer treatment without bankrupting the entire family. It can happen to anyone.

That said, maybe I’m just not up on current slang, but I cannot think of a vulgar word starting with P. I can think of a couple of slang words and body part words, but I can’t think of anythign vulgar. Somebody clue me in?

JBL August 26, 2009 (12:33 pm)

Sorry…but they left the door unlocked. No one saw anything because it was a quick in and out. Gotta keep stuff locked up.

I realize the importance of scoping out suspicious people on your block when you’re in the middle of a neighborhood but what if you live close to businesses and busy streets like me? There’s always someone like that around. It doesn’t help you then.

WSB August 26, 2009 (12:39 pm)

Sac – Think bodily excretion. Has gained common form as a verb for being upset.

old timer August 26, 2009 (1:06 pm)

The looting of our country by the banksters should quickly dispel any notion that theft is limited to those who live in low income housing.
In fact, I believe a case could be made that loose morals by the so called ‘top-tier’ set an example of sleaze for all who are without other exemplary guidance.
Lock your doors, watch your stuff, protect your kids.
The criminals are everywhere.

Ken August 26, 2009 (1:45 pm)

AWS. Thanks for writing “idiot” across your virtual forehead for all to see.

The local low income housing was as empty as the cemetary for nearly 3 years. In that time there was no magically crime free period.

Mostly the same well behaved and long time residents of the project moved back in to approximately the same geographical location with new housing and new addresses.

Given the addresses of the crime, how did you associate these actions with the housing authority properties? Far more of them are now nearly half million dollar properties after the highpoint rebuild.

I am sure some of them are investment bankers and mortgage brokers so you might have a point.

On top of your head.

sacatosh August 26, 2009 (1:49 pm)

LOL thanks WSB. That one hadn’t even occurred to me. I was starting to wonder if I was just getting old! ;->

coffee August 26, 2009 (3:16 pm)

I don’t think its low income to blame, I think its general society. Has anyone really listened to so called music lately or watched tv? Its not what it was 20 years ago. I am just glad every day that goes by and I am not robbed, or broken into. I wonder every day if I am next. Oh, I did get my car back after 6 weeks and 1 day and 7K in insurance money later, for it being tipped over.

Cheryl August 26, 2009 (3:39 pm)

JBL, I’m from Southern CA orginally so I never ever leave anything unlocked … Not even for a second. That said, I have no judgement against my neighbor for parking his car in front of his own house on a sunny afternoon in what HE feels is a safe neighborhood (it is for the most part) & going into his house to eat his lunch without thinking he’s going to be robbed. Who *wants* to think cynically?

Crime is everywhere. In quiet neighborhoods & on busy streets. I’m never afraid to “bother” police when I see something that doesn’t look kosher. Back in my hometown in CA I’m sure they’d memorized my number on the caller ID but ya know what? I don’t care. If I don’t feel safe in my own community, that’s on ME to change it. Either I move, or I get involved.

I know ALL my neighbors on this block (and many of the surrounding blocks) & I’ve only been here since April. We watch out for each other. Thank g-d b/c I’m not moving.

37Ray August 26, 2009 (3:57 pm)

Having lived all over (the country but specifically all 4 “sides” of Seattle as well) I can tell you that (just seat of pants anecdotal guess here) at LEAST half (likely more) of the petty criminals that strike in West Seattle are not even living in West Seattle, they are coming here from other neighborhoods, loading up, and going home…

Ken Allen August 26, 2009 (4:22 pm)

Hey lets not get too upset with angrywestseattleite after all there is usually a good reason for stereotypes. Profiling works because stereotypes hold true most of the time. Say what you want but if someone looks suspicious its because most of the time they are up to no good. I don’t know angrywestseattleite but people should say what’s on their mind without the fear of being called a racist, or god forbid be accused of classism. Reality is people who are desperate are more likely to resort to desperate measures. Am I saying all low income families are thieves? No, but lets not act like the statistics are anywhere even between the rich and poor when it comes to theft. Yes you have your Bernies out there but for the most part if you have money you don’t try and steal more. You may question the ethics of the people trying to get more money but by in large it’s not criminal. I think more people should be angry and do more about petty crime in their neighborhoods.

Bottom line is if it is valuable to you don’t leave it in your car! Me personally, I don’t care if their getaway car was a Pinto or a Lotus. I say do what you have to to clean up your neighborhood.

37Ray August 26, 2009 (6:11 pm)

“more people should be angry and do more about petty crime in their neighborhoods.”

I AGREE, as this has a much more immediate effect than anything else one can do as an individual. Be an activist, vote often etc, ALWAYS call 911 (even if they are not always able to respond “in time”, they are always able to log stats, this DOES work, to an extent, I have seen “sustained high call volumes” from a given ‘hood (eventually) bring stepped up patrols/response in that part of Seattle before…

BUT. There is nobody anywhere who can “act” without fail besides one’s self. Especially when there is a stranger knocking and you have not yet determined whether their intent is benign or otherwise. I try to give benefit of doubt (in fact, most soliciters I’ve seen, even younger guys selling mags or whatnot) have in fact turned out to be legit, or at least, legitimately trying to sell something, even if their ID was not entirely “up to code”. Some companies are less ethical on following the city requirements on ID than others, do not blame the door caller themselves for that though, but do decline (hopefully the main office will get the message if sales go nowhere).

I am a peaceful guy, but if someone I don’t know knocks, I come ready for the worst, ask loudly what they are doing or what they want and for ID.

Also (from past experience of an acquaintance in another part of town) folks please do NOT stand in front of your door if you are talking to someone through it, they might kick it open on you (if they do turn out to be a bad guy). Stand to one side and be entirely ready to “blast em” if that door flies open…

Not trying to be scary or overly aggressive, just being realistic. The overall chance of it being a fake (per random caller) might be low but you only need one to come to you. “You don’t have to be paranoid, but definitely ought to be prepared” ;)

37Ray August 26, 2009 (6:41 pm)

Sorry so longwinded, wanted to add, it does not hurt to take ANY kind of basic self defense training. Avoid flowery maneuvers just find someone who can instruct practical self defense basics and practice how you might respond to a home invasion threat. This is not tinfoil hat stuff, just think of it like another “fire drill” that you’d do if you’re prudent to have alternate routes of escape in the event of a house fire etc. Even if no one ever comes to YOUR door with ill intent, one would stand only to benefit from such a class anyway, and, it might also give a renewed sense of “security” for any inbetween time, while you are waiting for the cops to arrive ;)

survivor August 27, 2009 (10:04 am)

People, I have read all the complaints but the truth of the matter is, if you don’t report, it cannot be delt with. Crime doesn’t stop, it continues if they think they can get away with it. And if everyone does their part in protecting their community (as a whole) then more than likely, we can get rid of the bad apples. We are not police officers to take matters into our own hands, but we can assist by providing valuable information for them to go off of. It is very sad to have to live day by day wondering if you are their next victim, no one should live like that. We have to keep in mind, just because we are not police officers, does not mean we can’t police our neighborhoods. We should try to be as proactive as possible to make a diffrence in our community. Becareful of your surroundings at all times.