Delridge fights back

We wanted to make sure everyone saw this note added late last night as a comment on both of our recent posts about the Delridge shootings, since the event is tonight. (A reader had described it here as a “block watch” meeting but it’s much more.):

For those residing in North Delridge please come to the North Delridge Neighborhood Council monthly meeting … Wednesday August 1st, at the Delridge Library. Meeting starts at 6:30 and ends at 7:45. One of SPDÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s finest, Community Police Team Officer Brian Ballew, will be present to fill in folks on the recent shootings.

Relentless citizen pressure is, and will continue to make a difference. Never hesitate to call 911, because if you think it looks strange, I will almost guarantee that it is strange.

Mike Dady Co-Chair – North Delridge Neighborhood Council

T August 1, 2007 (9:40 am)

I won’t be able to attend the meeting but I hope it’s not just residents of Delridge that go…this problem is spreading all over West Seattle and I have had enough. My business is on the Admiral end of CA Ave and there are apartments attached to the rear of the building…about a month ago, there was some kind of gang-like initiation that included beating the tar out of each other that spilled onto the porch outside the back door of my business. I had a few customers who were TERRIFIED to go home. When I called 911, they asked if I could see the fight…I said I couldn’t (the glass door is smoked glass) so I was given the extremely annoyed response “they’d send someone if an officer was available”. These idiots spent the next 1/2 hour running up and down the street threatening other storeowners, terrorizing pedestrians and easily evading the police (who showed up 20 minutes after I called 911 again). I don’t want to hear any more about how the police are so short-staffed. I want to see officers WALKING through the neighborhoods. They should be visible OUTSIDE OF THEIR CARS. A cop who knows a neighborhood, takes time to get to know the residents in their patrol area goes a very long way. Are some of them (officers)scared? Then they should have picked a different line of work. We (the residents) can’t do it alone.

WSB August 1, 2007 (9:54 am)

The idea about beat cops is a very good point. At the Torchlight Parade last weekend, no major trouble erupted — probably because there were at least half a dozen officers on foot on each block (we even saw Chief Kerlikowske taking a stroll down the block where we were camped).

A August 1, 2007 (10:04 am)

Are we welcome to attend the meeting if we live down in South Delridge? After the shootings they come flying through our area taking pot shots, so we’re involved as well.

LGS August 1, 2007 (10:54 am)

A meeting open to all neighbors is scheduled 7 – 8:30 PM Aug. 21st at the SW Precinct. All residents and business owners of SW Precinct neighborhoods are welcome to discuss crime and safety concerns with officers and other community members. This is a monthly information-sharing and strategy meeting: no membership required, no other agenda. It is held the third Tuesday of most months (not July, Nov. or Dec..

T August 1, 2007 (11:15 am)

Thanks for the info LGS! I’ll really try to attend that one. And I promise I’ll behave :)

Mike Dady August 1, 2007 (5:08 pm)

Dear A,

Even though you are in South Delridge you are more than welcome to attend tonights meeting of the North Delridge Neighborhood Council. Perhaps by sitting in you will be inspired to start a South Delridge neighborhood group:) The NDNC has been officially active since late last fall and has been working unofficially since spring 2006.

And to all West Seattle residents, attending the SW Precinct meetings that LGS mentioned above is a VERY good idea. From Gatewood, to Alki to Admiral, no neighborhood is immune from the nare-do-wells. If a good chunk of citizens take stands it makes a difference.

Mike Dady

WSB August 1, 2007 (5:12 pm)

Anyone going to tonight’s meeting, we will appreciate notes about what is heard and said … we are unable to send someone to attend in person but will be thrilled to post attendees’ reports.

A August 1, 2007 (9:21 pm)

Mike, I didn’t see your comment in time to attend. I’m truly sorry we missed it. Please keep us posted on the next one. Multiple neighbors have expressed interest in getting more involved.

If anyone reading is in the South Delridge, Westwood, Highland Park intersection area (Trenton and Delridge or so) please email me at dnayma@hotmail.com if you’re interested in organizing OR attending a neighborhood meetup.

Sorry, comment time is over.