West Seattle Crime Watch: School-zone patrol progress

| Crime | Gatewood | Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

From the Southwest Precinct Public Safety Newsletter just sent out by SWP Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow – don’t miss the last paragraph:

The T9 Traffic Squad focuses on aggressive drivers. They drive the Dodge Charger Police cars. The T9 Squad, along with other members of the Traffic Section, issued the following school zone citations between September 01, 2007 through February 11, 2008:

* Arbor Heights – total – 94

65 Speed, 1 Pass School Bus, 28 other –

* Highland Park – total – -540

363 Speed, 4 Pass School Bus, 1 R/W Ped, 172 other

* Holy Family – total – 245

189 Speed, 1 Pass School Bus, 55 other

* Sanislo – total – 56

47 Speed, 9 other –

* Total – 935

Last week the T9 Squad started working the school zone at Gatewood Elementary in 7000 block of Fauntleroy. Yesterday Officer Cavin stopped a driver traveling 45 mph while using the center turn lane to pass 6 other cars in the 20 mph school zone. The driver said he was late getting to the Ferry Terminal. He was cited for Reckless Driving.

Yeah! March 4, 2008 (4:32 pm)

Keep it up SPD!
I’ve been seeing them in the morning on Roxbury near Holy Family school.
They are picking up plenty of violators.

miws March 4, 2008 (8:13 pm)

Okay dude, so your getting to the boat on time is more important than the life of one (or more) 5-11 year old kids?

Glad to hear of the reckless, that should hopefully be a much steeper fine than just a 25 over ticket.

I think for good measure, in addition to the citation, it would have been fun to be able to detain him long enough to miss two boats, not just the one he was racing for.

Mike

barmargia March 4, 2008 (8:27 pm)

LOL…I like your idea Mike

mb March 4, 2008 (8:49 pm)

What I want to know is how to ACCURATELY tell where the stop/start to the school zone is? I just got a ticket for going 30 (the usual speed) in an area that was, apparently, school zone. It is apparently both 300 feet before and after the flashing sign. I was under the impression that it ended when you got to the next regular speed limit sign. What I want to know is why aren’t these cops patrolling the area to stop all the break-ins that have been happening? Or windows being shot out? Or watching for dogs that are attacking people? Or, better yet, when the woman that was hit/killed recently while walking, why it took over 20 minutes for police to arrive? I am a responsible and cautious driver and I think with all the other crime activities in west seattle we could do without all the speed traps.

Eric B March 4, 2008 (8:54 pm)

Fines are doubled in a school zone. Even a 10 over ticket is VERY pricey (as it should be). I just wish they would come over to Genesee by Pathfinder.

Jerald March 4, 2008 (10:09 pm)

I’ve been watching the Gatewood patrolling recently and have wondered why the light flashes so long before and after any actual kids are around. Seems silly to creep along for no reason other than to avoid a ticket.

Near one of the schools (can’t remember which) I noticed a sign saying “end school zone” so you can tell when it’s ok to speed up. And have weapons and drugs too, I guess.

Jack Loblaw March 5, 2008 (6:29 am)

They need to come down to 45th Ave SW and patrol in front of Madison. Every day I see alpha moms menacing the streets with their SUV’s. Most of the drivers never even stop full movement at the stop signs. It is amazing to see the poor driving from the people who are in process of dropping their kids off. Maybe that is why they drive them to school — to keep them safe from drivers like themselves.

c March 5, 2008 (8:44 am)

Jack I couldn’t agree more. I live right between Madison and Lafayette and it is amazing how fast people go on 45th.

Paul March 5, 2008 (9:01 am)

I always slow down for the school zone, however I had no idea that there is the 300 feet rule for the zone, as in before and after. When I took drivers ed, 1984 in another state, the rule was at the point of the flashing light. Guess maybe that should be better explained when one takes their test.

BGH March 5, 2008 (9:04 am)

I drive Fauntleroy during school zone hours and I have always driven slow and cautious. Not only are there the school kids, there are elderly people from the retirement home crossing the street, and moms with small kids going and coming from Lincoln Park. I would disagree with mb and say that I would think that this is a better use of police resources than “watching out for dogs that are attacking people.”

JunctionMonkey March 5, 2008 (9:07 am)

Saw the T9 squad in action the other evening on Admiral. (uphill, no less)

Way to Go! Keep it up!

lala March 5, 2008 (12:29 pm)

I wish they’d patrol Glenn Way which people seem to think was created just to see how fast your car can go on an incline and decline.

I think people don’t notice that it’s a residential street with no crosswalks its whole length.

Oh, and kids walk it as it’s a popular school bus dropoff.

RS March 5, 2008 (8:24 pm)

How can it be 300 feet before the flashing sign? Are we supposed to be able to see the sign from 300 feet away or just psychically know that there is a school zone coming up on any given road?

Bob Loblaw March 5, 2008 (9:05 pm)

The T9 squad can kiss my big fat hairy white patootee (sp?). Entrapment. Quotas. Random targeting. Park your 9 mpg monster cars and stop wasting my tax money.

You and the TSA can come get me at 207.68.172.246

Bird March 6, 2008 (8:56 pm)

Is anyone paying attention to the stats? Is it racial motivated? Why are the stats in Highland Park atronomical? Is it just a coinscidence that that neighborhood is low income? I hate how police profile and these stats are a perfect example. BARF!!!!

BusinessOwner March 7, 2008 (12:09 am)

Last Quarter (Q4) my company paid almost 300k (not much in the scheme of things, but a lot none-the-less) in misc. city taxes . . . all I got was more Police cars, pulling people over on Admiral Way, Greg Nichols turning the West Seattle police force into a tactical private army and I still have to drive over ridiculous pot-holes to get home!

All these police are supposed create a better quality of life, instead we are proud of speed-traps and seeing our fellow neighbors pulled over in school zones (well after the school area). SHAME on you people.

Take the Hemi Chargers away from these pathetic TRAFFIC officers and spend the monies on after school programs/recreational facilities and community programs.

Worried about your kids in school zones? Teach them to look both ways and cross with EXTREME caution.

What about the mother that drives 15 mph down California Ave from Admiral to Morgan, pull that party over and give her a reckless driving citation for recklessly delaying everyone attempting to drive the speed limit.

Sorry, comment time is over.