West Seattle Crime Watch: Parking-strip garden vandalized

| Crime | Gardening | West Seattle news

We took that photo of the parking-strip garden at Chris‘s house in Admiral (39th/Lander) after he e-mailed this report:

Last night our parking strip garden was vandalized.

For the past several years my wife and I have planted a parking strip garden and with the exception or a few tomatoes being snatched, they have been relatively undisturbed. One of the highlights is growing pumpkins for our kids. Over the years, many toddlers in our neighborhood have spend time counting our pumpkins and watching them grow. Our kids take great pride that they grow their own pumpkins for Halloween. This year we were fortunate enough to have an Atlantic Giant pumpkin that we have been nuturing along with a handful of jack o’ lantern pumpkins. The Atlantic Giant though not enormous was over 60 pounds.

This morning I was greeted with three of the pumpkins in the street. One was smashed, another undamaged and the 60-pound giant damaged. The giant was not broken open and looks like whoever perpetrated this was frustrated enough that they used a knife to cut several gashes along one end. Both my children are very upset and I am disappointed that this happened. The impact stretches beyond our family to the families in the neighborhood who take the time to walk our the garden to watch the pumpkins grow.

If you saw anything, contact police, to whom Chris says this has been reported.

JanS September 4, 2009 (8:38 pm)

this is just around the corner from me. How very sad. I will bet that the perpetrators were under 18, but I could be wrong. I’m a night owl, and there are often late night wonderings of kids down my alley between 41st and 42nd, just north of Lander. And they’re not shy of making themselves known, even at 2am. Great parenting, there.

I’m so sorry this happened to you. I hope that you’ve been able to salvage some of the garden, that they now leave you alone.

CrazyDogLady September 4, 2009 (8:50 pm)

so infuriating.

LAP September 4, 2009 (9:14 pm)

this stinks….and I am so sorry for these folks. I have always been curious about pilferage from these parking-strip gardens, since we sure experience it at our P-Patch at Longfellow Creek (on Thistle). I believe in Karma and that someday the perpetrators will fully realize what they did all those years ago and will have a moment or two of remorse.

Mark September 4, 2009 (9:19 pm)

I live on the same block and this is very sad, and infuriating. I have seen those pumpkins grow all summer long. It was great to see your tomatoes and green beans as well. I am not sure who the punks are but justice happens, one way or another (its called Karma). Maybe it was the same punks that tagged my fence a few weeks ago.

Sarah September 4, 2009 (9:19 pm)

We also live in the Admiral (42nd and Walker) and our car was egged last night. We have parked on the street for three years without incident. I’m guessing kids were up to no good last night.

WS Dog Lover September 4, 2009 (9:51 pm)

I am so sorry that some idiots would be so mean!!!

Leroniusmonkfish September 4, 2009 (11:04 pm)

Has something been added to the water in WS? How many more random acts of idiotic behavior will happen?…”kids will be kids” and parents CAN have an influence on their offspring’s behavior.

CFBradford September 5, 2009 (7:15 am)

WE have been watching this lovely garden all summer. How sad to have this happen.

timeslid September 5, 2009 (7:30 am)

I am so sorry. I have watched these grow all summer. I hope these jerks feel pride at their destructive success. Again, sorry for the loss.

Andrew September 5, 2009 (8:34 am)

What a crummy thing for anyone to do. Hope you and your kids still have a great Halloween.

bridge to somewhere September 5, 2009 (8:41 am)

to JanS’s point — isn’t their a curfew in seattle for those under 18?

bridge to somewhere September 5, 2009 (8:42 am)

oops, “their” = “there.” i really did graduate from high school!

c'mon now September 5, 2009 (8:50 am)

You really contacted the police over this? You know they probably have more pressing needs than the great pumpkin massacre of ’09.

Mark September 5, 2009 (9:23 am)

Not file a police report? So todays it pumpkins, tomorrow its a car, the next day its YOUR house. They might have more pressing needs and I am sure it took them several hours to respond but it was malicious and criminal act. Do a little reading on the “broken window” theory of crime fighting.

hkb September 5, 2009 (9:54 am)

We live right down the street and was sad and frustrated to read about this. So sorry it happened! I know my kids would be really upset if someone damaged our garden.

MrJT September 5, 2009 (10:11 am)

Cook down what you can salvage and bake a pumpkin pie, show the kids how to make the best of it..

Trolling?Nulu September 5, 2009 (10:41 am)

Should Mark’s “broken window” theory apply to the obvious safety code violations of planting strips, this one included?
Planting strip violations are skyrocketing, perhaps due to the city’s and corporate media’s unbalanced promotion of them, i.e. no explanation of rules.
Seattle makes no attempt at enforcement unless someone calls in a complaint.
And neighborhoods are further stressed when enforcement officers often explain that “a neighbor turned you in.”
Basically, for pedestrian and vehicle safety there are laws against blocking ones sight lines across and parking on the planting strips as well as set-back requirements.
SDOT rules are explained at; http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/cams/CAM2305.pdfhttp://www.seattle.gov/transportation/cams/CAM2305.pdf

dawsonct September 5, 2009 (12:02 pm)

Like what, c’mon now? Traffic and parking tickets?
I think it’s okay to help the SPD practice policing every once in a while.
–
Pretty stupid thing to have happen. Maybe time to start considering planting a thorn garden.
–
…And holy crap troll, what a didactic buzz-kill. There isn’t anything visible in the picture that could even vaguely be considered a vehicle or pedestrian hazard.

djake1984 September 5, 2009 (12:11 pm)

“Trolling? What??? so we’re going to quote SDOT law as our response to brainless vandalism? Maybe it was a concerned vandals attempt at communicating how dangerous that Atlantic Giant had become

JanS September 5, 2009 (12:25 pm)

Is anyone else fed up with intruders like Trolling?Nulu etc. , being “to the letter of the law”, being less than compassionate, in a way being mean and blaming the OP for what happened to him? I know I am. There are times when it’s appropriate to play devil’s advocate and start a good discussion. In my most humble opinion, this was not one of them.
A troll is a troll is a troll, I suppose. – SIGH ..

Gina September 5, 2009 (1:09 pm)

Just took a walk by there. The squirrels looked as if they had won the lottery. They love the flesh of pumpkins and the seeds.

jiggers September 5, 2009 (1:32 pm)

What do you expect when it is right on the street?

WSB September 5, 2009 (2:18 pm)

What you expect is for people to be respectful of others, for heaven’s sake. Homeowners are accountable for maintaining the parking/planting strip so certainly have a right that if they invest some time and trouble in it, they are not going to get vandalism in return. You might as well say “well, your car got stolen, it was parked on the street.”
.
The city changed policies last spring to ENCOURAGE parking-strip gardening, not just to tolerate it. And the policies linked a couple comments above are NOT specific in terms of width/height/etc. – they are written as guidelines. There is a city page with pictures of sample planting-strip gardens and as much clearance as we saw while stopping in Chris’s neighborhood for a quick photo.
.
I tried to turn one of our “planting strips” into a garden some years back and the soil was so hardpan, the plants all died, even with compost amendment, aside from one unstoppable cotoneaster. Congrats to those who have managed to turn theirs into something useful.
.
TR

Tony September 5, 2009 (2:58 pm)

Troll rhymes with hole.

Catherine September 5, 2009 (3:08 pm)

Sorry about the pumpkins. I hate to see senseless things happen that hurt children :( Childhood has such innocense and it’s sad when some of it gets taken away.

Trolling?Nulu September 5, 2009 (4:52 pm)

This is getting nasty.
For those that responded but failed to read my post, it specifically refers to “Mark” and whether the “broken window” theory should be selectively enforced.
I am sorry that these pumpkins were vandalized.
I am more sorry for the kids involved with growing them.
Contrary to a someone who may be a real troller, i.e. one who posts often with their business address, I have no commercial phishing interest.
“We’re going to quote SDOT law as our response to brainless vandalism?”
Wrong.
SDOT law has nothing to do with brainless vandalism.
Before the pumpkins countless people have had their traditional grass planting strips destroyed by joy riders. Now they are being destroyed by inconsiderate law breakers parking on them.
And WSB, the CAM I referred to represents the code in laymans’ terms. The code exists as described in the CAM. The un-blurred photo clearly shows violations of both set-backs and height…maybe it should be obscured until they are charged, per WSB policy?
And WSB, perhaps one reason your planting strip is hard and compacted is because you park on it. WSB’s argument makes my point for protecting the planting strip by following the laws.
Finally, my post succeeded in stimulating a lot of discussion and I hope more people are aware that there are still planting strip laws.
Peace Out!

WSB September 5, 2009 (5:04 pm)

Nope. The section in question is pretty much unparkable, though a couple streets in our neighborhood are curbless – the “planting/parking strip” goes right to the street – and some other folks park on that section, which is 100 percent grass and yarrow. Maybe we should turn that section into a vegetable garden.

Trolling? Nulu September 5, 2009 (5:18 pm)

Ok, WSB.
I stand corrected.
That is another planting strip that you are referring to, not the planting strip that you do park on.
One apparent reason parking on planting strips is prohibited is the inevitable leaking of gas, oil, asbestos, battery acid, lead and antifreeze from parked vehicles into the ground, where it seeps down into our aquifers and eventually into Puget Sound.
Of course, my car never leaks, so I should be allowed to park wherever I please.

Mark September 5, 2009 (6:22 pm)

Troll, you are not very smart (cleaned up, sorry).A code violation, if it even if it is a code violation (it isn’t) is not a crime. Vandalism is a crime. If you are unsure the difference, google “William Bratton” and you can find all you need to know and more.

Mark September 5, 2009 (6:23 pm)

damn, we’s need an edit feature for poor grammars

charlabob September 6, 2009 (1:10 pm)

we’s do doesn’t we’s?

the pumpkin vandalism sucks. i can’t see where anyone’s sight lines are blocked. here’s a clew: if you think someone’s plants are blocking sight lines, talk to them. Odds are they’ll be reasonable.

c who thinks planting on planting strips is fine but who think bad grammar should be punished by …. me.

Cheryl September 6, 2009 (1:38 pm)

Vandalism sucks, no matter WHAT is being vandalized. So yeah, I think they absolutely should have called police to report it.

I’m just so sorry you put all that time & love into growing the pumpkins to have some dumb a$$ destroy it just b/c they had nothing better to do.

Sadder still is that even if the culprits were ever caught, it’s doubtful their parents (or the system) would ever chastise them such lousy treatment of a fellow neighbor.

Remember when parents used to march their kids down the street to the neighbors and make them apologize and pay for damage they did, whether it was accidental or on purpose?

Yeah, parents don’t do that anymore. Well, THIS parent does… but many more don’t.

Sigh.

I wish we could bring civility and kindness back. I miss it.

TrollingHole/not/verry /smart? Nulu September 6, 2009 (1:38 pm)

Let’s get a clue with spelling too.
“If ifs and buts were candy and nuts,
we’d all have a merry Christmas.”
If the odds played towards reasonable, there would not be any need for the laws.

what? September 6, 2009 (4:06 pm)

People are very passionate about pumpkins and planting strips. I wish they were this passionate about the p-pach and the food bank.

koni September 6, 2009 (7:47 pm)

One of the reasons we have pumpkins and planting strip gardens is to avoid having to go to the food bank….everyone is hurting right now. What I can’t eat I share with others. It still doesn’t make it right for people to destroy our crops through vandalism. ;(

Ray September 6, 2009 (10:27 pm)

What do you expect when it is right on the street?

Comment by jiggers — September 5, 09 1:32 pm #

How about a little respect for others?
That’s what I expect.
My partner and I walk our dogs all over this neighborhood and just happened to walk by this today. We’ve seen the kids checking out the gardens progress. Their delight in it.

It’s one thing to swipe a tomato, but to destroy a garden?

Times are hard enough already.

the oldest codger September 7, 2009 (7:52 am)

I was scrolling down and was surprised to see so many comments on a pumpkin story. So I read. Only to find Lots of post about “@#$# kids today”
Well when they see adults act out at town meetings, cuss out bicyclist, yell at elected officials in public meetings. (could you imagine if a kid did that in class? But it’s a God given right in a town hall?) Right here on the West Seattle Blog, there was a guy saying he would harass and set his dog on the Nicholsville people…. Then there is the “Nice” Eddie Bower, BMW car owner who threw his trash at a group of my AA friends during the morning prayer at Alki. Kids see this. Where do you think their behavior comes from? Then the blog right here gets in to grammar and spelling gripes, with snipes back and fourth.
Then everyone asks “Wheres the respect?”
“Kids Today” ? NO…. Adults today.
Sorry but respect at ANY age seems to be in short supply.
As far a destroying a garden? Sorry it happened. But this is not the only garden to ever be hit, not even in this season.
Neighbors two houses down got my next door neighbors garden. The two houses down bragged. They don’t like that my next door neighbor is pro-healthcare.
Since I’m 73 and their 45 I guess I should say “@#$# Kids today! BAH!”

Mark September 7, 2009 (11:54 am)

Oldest Codger,

You make a great excuse for kids to break the law. The only problem is yelling at public officials, cussing at bicycle riders and acting out at town halls are all legal activities. Vandalism is a crime. There is no connection. Yes, Gardens get vandalized this year, and every year, but this happened to a neighbor and was particularly bothersome.

LeomanBK September 7, 2009 (3:49 pm)

In Ancient Rome, the privileged took argument very seriously. They practiced it as a combination of science and art. The statesman we know as Cicero was among its great practitioners. These people set down rules to keep it ‘civilized’ and rational. Erring from these guidelines, was called ‘a logical fallacy’. One good example (with which these comments are rife) is switching the subject from the issue to the commentor. It’s called ‘argumentum ad hominem’. If you can’t score enough points with reason attack the person’s grammar and spelling. Totally irrelevant, but much easier.
I don’t know the Latin for ‘confusing the issue’, but I do know that conflating ‘civility’ with ‘legality’ falls under that heading. Our society has more laws than it knows what to do with. It’s ‘civility’ that’s long been out of fashion … treating everyone like they matter, simply because they are sentient beings.

I find that minor argumentive avalanches like these linear lines of comment often say far more about the commentors than about the subject at hand. It took no time at all for reasonable discourse to to plummet to the level of ‘Oh, yeah? Yo, Mama!’ American culture breeds such behavior.
Children learn early, from a cornucopia of different sources, that people don’t really matter; it’s THINGS that count. Getting that new BMW is what the game is about, not HOW you get it.
Ends don’t just justify the means; they render them irrelevant.
As the Hero in the musical “South Pacific” made so poetically clear, our children don’t arrive with core values installed, like instincts. No, these defining value systems must be ‘carefully taught’.

It’s an ugly shame that the beauty of your garden and the effort it required were treated with such malice. I mourn your loss and that of all the children. But I reserve my deepest mourning for the perpetrators. To be capable of recreational hatred like that tells me that THEIR childhoods may well have been devoid of any innocence at all.

I should know. I was like them in my lost, addicted teens. Even a lovely garden can be recreated or repaired in fairly short order. But a heart indifferent to others’ rights and feelings is one already programmed to do harm.
Changing its orientation is next to impossible.
And the effort required is unimaginable.

Barb September 7, 2009 (10:45 pm)

I seem to recall getting something recently from one of the utilities URGING the use of parking strips for gardening. Enforcement of civility is yet another matter. My feelings are still shattered from having my Xmas decorations (NOT on the parking strip!)destroyed a few years back. The villains even stole Santa, and hence will surely burn in HELL. Sorry, kids. Sorry, sorry, sorry.

Sorry, comment time is over.