Crime Watch reader reports: Brazen taggers; gas siphoning

Two Three West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports to share — as discussed elsewhere, primarily in the interest of all of us watching out for each other. First from Erik in Westwood:

My neighbor’s house just got vandalized. Their fence was tagged by graffiti vandals at 8:15 tonight at the corner of 16th and Trenton in plain view right across from a street lamp. I scared the vandals away (before I got their license plate! D’oh!) but called 911 and the police took a report and were circling the block. I think other neighbors should be aware of this, and I think it’s worth sharing the “tip” that I should have gotten the license number before scaring them away. Keep an eye out for a red Mazda or Toyota with three vandals out looking for property to destroy and property values to drop.

ADDED MONDAY MORNING: This one from Shannon may be related:

There was a lot of tagging going on behind our townhouses on 18th Ave SW near Barton. We didn’t see it happen and, surprisingly, our dogs didn’t bark but we saw flashing lights when the police officer arrived. The vandals tagged our fences and a van parked in the lot of the apartments across the alley with the “M13” gang sign. The neighbor who reported it said they were driving a white car. His daughter saw them and he ran outside. When he did run outside, they drove away quickly before he could get their plates.

Just wanted everyone to be on the lookout. The officer says this is a known gang sign but, for some reason he didn’t make very clear, he believed it was a fake… not that he had any evidence that it was a fake he just said he had a “feeling” it was a fake. Needless to say, that didn’t make any of us feel any better.

(back to the original Sunday night post) And from Dunsany:

Last night, someone broke the lock off my gas cap and siphoned my tank. We’re in Highland Park near 12th and Holden. Savages, I only had maybe 5 gallons in the tank. I hope it was worth it.

Remember, police stress that if you see someone or something suspicious NOW, call 911. If you want to report something that happened some time ago, the non-emergency number is 625-5011.

10 Replies to "Crime Watch reader reports: Brazen taggers; gas siphoning"

  • A March 23, 2008 (10:29 pm)

    The grafitti is out of control lately. Here is the link to report it: http://www.seattle.gov/util/Services/Garbage/Reduce_Garbage_&_Litter/Graffiti_Prevention_&_Removal/index.asp Report it right away and keep following up if nothing is done about it. These little vandals really piss me off.

  • Mikev2.0 March 23, 2008 (11:07 pm)

    I’m really surprised they were driving a car. I always thought taggers walked by their target. Good eyes Erik. If only we all could be as vigilant.

  • Andrew March 24, 2008 (12:35 am)

    Erik, I had a similar tagging tonight 3-23-06 in Westwood. MS 13 is the tag of the “gang”. Police say it’s fake, most likely. This due to the fact that there are no “in your face” gangs around here. They got my fence and one of the neighbors Mini-vans. I didn’t see it but one claim has a white car with more then one person, sitting next to the site then speeding away.

  • Aim March 24, 2008 (1:08 pm)

    We had a frightening experience on Saturday afternoon. We were behind a teal Honda Civic hatchback on the north end of Delridge, and a guy was hanging out the window with a rifle. Appeared to be a .22, and he was waving it around at a passing pedestrian. We called 911 and reported their plate number, and last we heard the police were combing the area looking for them. I’m hoping they were caught. WSB team, have you heard anything? It was Saturday early evening – 5 or 6.

  • WestwoodWriter March 24, 2008 (3:22 pm)

    Erik here with an update on the graffiti. My neighbor painted over it first thing this morning and it looks as good as new. We DO NOT stand for this type of activity on our block! I’m putting a surveillance camera on the fence from across the street tonight. If they come back, they WILL be caught.

  • Aim March 24, 2008 (8:41 pm)

    MS 13 = Mara Salvatrucha 13. It’s a notorious gang, and exceedingly organized. Some say more so than the Mafia. The likelihood of young punks in this area being affiliated is low. The likelihood of “wannabes” who are affiliated with smaller gangs is high. I was tangentially involved with the Mexican Mafia as a teenager (dated a member) and have more knowledge about the Latino gangs than I would wish on my worst enemy. Feel free to ask me if you have any questions.

  • Shibaguyz March 26, 2008 (6:31 pm)

    We don’t have any questions about these gangs. We’re just sending a clear message to them that we will NOT abide by this type of activity in our neighborhood. We have purchased surveillance cameras and motion sensor lights. Anyone who walks down this way gets flooded with lights.

    In addition, ANY unknown vehicle in this alley is reported with full license plates and descriptions.

    If we don’t let the police know, they can’t do anything about it!

  • Alki Res. March 26, 2008 (6:56 pm)

    Dear Aim,
    I would like to ask you a question… In your estimation does the Mexican Mafia consist of US born Mexican Americans or illegal aliens… just asking… appreciate your response. thx

  • Aim March 26, 2008 (8:34 pm)

    Alki Res – MM for the most part is definitely NOT generally made up of illegal immigrants. Pretty much all of the members I knew were US-born. In fact, they were pretty prejudiced toward the immigrant population, legal or illegal. My experience with illegal immigrants has been that about 90% of them were here to work hard so that they could send money back to their country of origin in order that their families could come up legally. In my experience, and what I was told directly by more than just a few illegal immigrants, was that it costs approximately $1500 to get here legally from Mexico with visa fees and whatnot. There, a REALLY good job pays about $8/day, so saving up $1500 is nearly impossible. So the first family member comes up illegally, works his or her tail off, and as soon as they have the money saved, it’s sent back to bring the rest of the family up. Then, once the rest of the family is here and established with jobs, that one person goes back to Mexico or other country of origin and crosses legally.

    Again, this may differ for other people, but it was my experience growing up in a border town and in a very Latino community.

  • ND May 15, 2008 (4:56 pm)

    I would like to be on hand when a gaggle of MS-13 shows up for a bash. My friends will simply leave their bodies in the street and be gone before anyone sees us. Problem is, they’re not too bright and are less predictable than other bangers. Patience. You will hear about it. No help needed.

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