Alki and police

[katparrott]

Greetings –
I’m not sure if this is the right platform to discuss this issue but I thought I’d send it in.
I am a resident of the 59th and alki block and I am fed up with the lack of police presence on this block during peak busy hours on alki. There was a shooting just a couple weeks ago right next to my building (last year as well). The aggressive crowds are getting worse and worse and always seem to congregate right in front of the house I rent. Groups of 10-20 young males usually hang out and try to pick fights with anyone who walks by. People speed over 40 on our slow residential streets and it feels extremely unsafe. Items are routinely stolen off of my porch, people illegally park in our parking and the noise is out of hand. If that wasn’t bad enough my entire block is getting torn down to build commercial spaces and condos. Pretty soon no one but the wealthy will be able to afford to live on this beach, which is quickly losing its original charm.
The straw the broke the camels back came yesterday around lunchtime when I was taking my injured cat to the vet. I pulled out of my driveway and in less than 50 feet a cop flipped a u turn- turned their lights on and pulled me over for not wearing my seatbelt. I explained that I was literally 20 feet away from my driveway with an injured pet in the car and officer Deborah brooks (#4438) proceeded to make me wait while she wrote me a $140 dollar ticket.
Where are the police during peak times ? Where are the police when all of the cars on my block are blaring their car alarms because of people driving by blasting music so loud that it sets them off . Where are they when people are drinking and using drugs on the sidewalk in front of my house ? When large groups are picking fights with innocent pedestrians ? Or when shootings occur ? No where to be found. But lunch time on a weekday they are found harassing residents who are harming no one. I can barely afford to live on alki as it stands now, barely afford to take my cat to the vet- but instead of being a decent person and giving me a warning- she made me sit in the hot car while my poor kitty was screaming in the carrier. Literally right outside of my house.
That isn’t helping the public. That’s harassing and unhelpful. I would like to send a message to the police force of west Seattle and say I am very upset and disappointed. Looks like I’ll be moving out of this city once they tear down my place .

Thank you, if this is any interest to you or the readers I hope it helps highlight a few troubling trends we as residents are experiencing in this area

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[alkiwendy]

Hi katparrott, I feel your pain. I live on Alki too. I suggest you attend the next Alki Community Council Meeting on Thursday, May 19th, and express your concerns. The meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 6115 SW Hinds Street. And occasionally the Southwest Police Precinct holds community meetings. I try to attend both. Hope your cat is fine.

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[katparrott]

Thank you alkiwendy!
I will definitely try to make the next meeting ! I hear there is one this coming tues at the sw precinct! Kitty is doing better today thank you !!

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[clulessinws]

I hope Alki this summer is different (better) for those who live there and for those who visit. We shall see.

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[CandrewB1]

You should be angry.

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