News from the streets

From our first visit to a West Seattle Community Safety Partnership meeting last night: First thing on the agenda, an update from WS-based Seattle Police officers, with inside info about what’s happening on our streets. Overall, crime-wise, they say things are relatively “quiet” right now — certainly doesn’t mean no crime at all (as evident here), but no huge problems. One new trouble spot mentioned by Southwest Precinct Community Police Team Officer Adonis Topacio: Reports of transients camping in Lincoln Park; if you encounter this, he said, send him e-mail with the specific location (his contact info is on this page). Also mentioned last night: Despite scattered problems, the police verdict on the just-ended summer season on Alki is “it was a great year”; recent speeding crackdowns deploying the Chargers in areas such as Highland Park Way and the 1st Avenue South Bridge have netted dozens of violators, including drivers going past 60 mph in 30 mph zones. Still lots more to tell you from last night’s meeting, including how to fight blight (such as drug houses and trashy properties) in your neighborhood, and how to keep the WSCSP group from losing a vital resource — check back this afternoon.

RobertSeattle September 19, 2007 (10:06 am)

I was across from the Jack in the Box on Admiral yesterday around six PM and witnessed a driver easily going 50+ mph westbound on Admiral in order to get through a very yellow light at California (because his precious time was obviously much more important than than the safety of anyone else in the vicinity). I’d sure like to see more enforcement of red light runners than drivers going over the speed limit on the west seattle bridge.

The Velvet Bulldog September 19, 2007 (10:41 am)

It was also a “great year” for the drug-dealers living behind me because the police, despite being well aware of them, ignore them and allow their activity to continue. So, if crime is generally down, why aren’t they dealing with some of these other ongoing issues?

Chet September 19, 2007 (11:22 am)

Good points fellas. I have let the Po-lease know about various stretches of roads and intersections where people routinely speed and run lights alond with times of day when I generally see these infractions. “Alls I hear iz crickets!” Frustrating, I practically do their job for them and they can’t be bothered to show up and enforce, much less reply to a concern citizen. Guess they are just focusing on the bridge. Whatever.

WSB September 19, 2007 (12:11 pm)

Chet and Velvet – have you personally contacted any of the officers on the Community Police Team, who are listed on the link in our post? From what we are gathering as we learn more about the local officers and the WS Community Safety Partnership, it seems these are the guys and gals to go to with specific local recurring problems. It also was announced last night that the captain in charge of the precinct will be out for a while, so Lt. Paulsen (also on that list) will be running the team – if you want to contact the #1 person.

The Velvet Bulldog September 19, 2007 (12:39 pm)

Oy, I could tell you stories! I coordinated a Block Watch team and had Community Officer Benjamin Kinlow come to talk with us. As we were meeting, one neighbor looked out the window and said, “they’re doing a drug deal now!” Mr. Kinlow didn’t even get up to look. He suggested we send a letter to the home owner (because many homes with criminal activity are rentals) but the home owner lives in this home and her family is running “the business.” The most a letter would do is give them all a good chuckle. I’ve also contacted both the Police and CPS regarding children being raised in the home. They EACH told me to call the OTHER. Believe me, the neighbors have tried and failed to raise the interest of the local PD.

Forest September 19, 2007 (12:40 pm)

Between all the underage beer parties and the drugged or insane taggers climbing frightening heights to spray paint obscenities on the bridge columns, I wager the police will eventually find a crumpled body under the west end of Admiral Way where it crosses Fairmount Ravine.

A.A. September 19, 2007 (1:40 pm)

Velvet Bulldog, I suspect we live near one another.

The Velvet Bulldog September 19, 2007 (2:35 pm)

Hi A.A.–near Alki Congregational Church? Lovely neighborhood, but with some unfortunate (don’t want to say “bad”) apples…

Erik September 19, 2007 (2:43 pm)

Sounds like the lil crime family down the block that has the frequent yard sales to get rid of the stuff they steal from us locals. I wanted to add to their Sale signs ‘Come see what you’ve been Missing.’ The kid (prolific tagger on Alki) is often offering to do ‘yard work’ so he can case the joint. Luckily my first instinct was to say ‘no’.

The Velvet Bulldog September 19, 2007 (3:17 pm)

Erik–you and I DO live in the same neighborhood! I like your addendum to the yard sale signs. Sadly appropos.

Joeyjojojo September 19, 2007 (4:22 pm)

West Seattle(Junction area) is the “nicest” neighborhood I’ve ever lived in, seemingly, but after having my car broken into and all my stereo equipment stolen for the second time, having a bike stolen from my garage and being so constantly harassed by door-to-door scam artists that I no longer feel safe in my own home, all within the last month, I’m beginning to really see the ugly side of what I thought was a so nearly perfect community.

Jiggers September 19, 2007 (8:03 pm)

I live a block south from 7-11 on California avenue. Whats da haps wtih the late night speedsters between the Junction and Rite-Aid? No cops around whatsoevers..

donald September 20, 2007 (12:39 pm)

I dont want to sound like a troll or anything here, I am really honestly genuinely curious and would like to keep an eye out for similar activity in my neighborhood, but how do you guys know that there is drug activity in that house, that they are doing drug deals there? what are the signs?

The Velvet Bulldog September 20, 2007 (1:53 pm)

Donald–it could be that others are actually more discreet regarding their criminal practices, but these folks have people drive into the alley, honk, the dealer comes out and makes an exchange and the driver goes off with their goodies. We watch, we take down license plate numbers and call them in, and we get nothing. We even have a police officer living in the neighborhood, who once said to me “you should see what’s going on out there at 2am!” (Ummmm, what IS going on and why aren’t you DOING anything about it??) I must admit there has been more police activity there since the kid living there has escalated his crime efforts to include credit card fraud. Big surprise, eh?

It occurs to me that I may be looking at this all wrong–perhaps I should take the hint and start my own little side business. The hours are certainly better and I wouldn’t have to dress up!

donald September 21, 2007 (8:46 am)

interesting but are you sure its drugs? the reason i ask is i have friends come over a fair amount of time and we will trade books, video games, etc but its not always a big social event. i hope my neighbors dont think i am selling crack!

The Velvet Bulldog September 21, 2007 (9:56 am)

Donald, I appreciate you giving folks the benefit of the doubt, but yes it’s drugs. It’s been drugs for years–the neighborhood knows it, the POLICE know it–please note the conversation I documented with our resident police officer. Even the power-line folks know it because the have to keep taking down the tied-together shoes these folks throw up there to announce, “Hey! We’re sellin’ drugs here!”

donald September 21, 2007 (10:31 am)

I did note that conversation, my reaction to that was the exact same as yours: why isnt he doing anything about it?? That is pretty terrible about the drugs. I don’t know why they cant just do their business on the fauntleroy/andover pedestrian bridge like everyone else! lol

Erik September 21, 2007 (12:06 pm)

Trading books…lol. The kid in question is a drop-out. And the next generation (there is a baby in the house) is being brought (taught the family business) into the world. Hopefully the family pit-bull can contain itself.

donald September 21, 2007 (1:02 pm)

whats so funny about trading books? you’ve never had someone swing by your pad and drop a book or something off for you? I dont want to pay for the new harry potter book, i already know a bunch of rocks fall and everyone dies, i just want to read the story!

that is terrible about them teaching a baby “the family business.” They should know better. Babies can’t roll a good joint at all. They don’t have the coordination, its all loose. And of course you can’t say anything to the kid about it because then it starts crying. Rock and a hard place, rock and a hard place.

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