If you look at the link dates on the WSB Crime Watch page, things were quiet for a long stretch – now that’s changed, at least temporarily. Two more reader reports ahead, along with a reminder about two ways to become a better neighborhood crimefighter:

Denise writes about getting mugged on Monday:

On Monday, 8/11, I’d gotten off the bus at 16th SW and Holden and was walking home heading east on Holden. A black male was walking on the same side of the street as me heading west and when he got close enough he grabbed my purse. We struggled a bit and then he threw me to the ground and ran up 14th Ave SW. This was at approximately 6:15 in the evening, broad daylight, people and cars around and I’m not exactly what would be considered an easy mark (at least I don’t think so..). Luckily a motorist did stop and called 911 for me. I let the people who live on 14th know what happened so they would be aware and wanted to alert as many people as possible to be careful! I would have never imagined this would happen at the time of day and place this occurred.

And “Michelle in Highland Park”writes:

Just wanted to let people know what happened on our street the other night. Monday night we came home a little after 1030 pm. I parked on the street in front of the house for no more than 10 minutes when we heard a loud crash. Another car had sideswiped my car and was impaled in the corner of my neighbor’s truck. The driver and his male got out and struggled with some of the neighbors who tried to restrain them before taking off running. Some neighbors gave chase while the rest of us stood around and waited for the police to show up. They came about a half an hour later and had caught one of the passengers, but as far as I know the other two were never rounded up.

Not sure if it the car was reported stolen or not, but probably because from what we know it had no registration or insurance in it and its passengers left it there. It was towed away about an hour later to the impound lot. The whole thing was pretty surreal to have happen right in front of our house. It was nice that neighbors came out and wanted to help, but the whole incident seems to be just the latest in an upswing of unsavory activity in the area.

Now: The two ways to become a better neighborhood crimefighter. Both involve meetings; both are an excellent investment of your time, in exchange for the information you’ll get, and the chance to talk directly with local law enforcers as well as citizen advocates. Next Tuesday, it’s the next meeting of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council, 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct meeting room (Delridge/Webster; here’s a map); if you live closer to White Center (or in WC), the White Center/South Delridge Community Safety meeting is 6 pm August 28 at St. James Place, 9421 18th SW (map).