As mentioned in our previous story, tonight’s WSCPC meeting at the Southwest Precinct heard additional information on last night’s “home invasion” robbery. That’s not the only case police discussed – several more updates on cases old and new, plus the council’s decision on leadership for the new year, all ahead:

CAR PROWLS, AND BURGLARY ARRESTS: Lt. Steve Paulsen said this is one crime category that’s had an uptick, and in fact, a Lincoln Park-area resident came to the meeting to make sure her neighborhood’s problem is on police’s radar: Five recent car prowls, one house break-in. She got good news: That break-in was solved when police arrested suspects in a Highland Park burglary (8600 block of 14th SW) – and that case in turn was cracked by alert neighbors seeing the burglars and getting a good description of their license plate. After those recent arrests, the suspects’ confessions led police to a White Center house where investigators say stolen property was “dumped,” including a gun stolen from the Lincoln Park burglary victim. Three suspects were arrested, one is still on the loose, according to police. Lt. Paulsen says there’s been an overall surge in burglary arrests lately. He reiterates, make sure you have serial numbers for your costliest items, or else etch them with something identifiable; the Lincoln Park victim was able to identify the gun because a relative’s initials were engraved on it.

STORE STICKUPS: Though three suspects were arrested after the Admiral 7-11 holdup attempt two weeks ago (and only one was charged), more are still out there. Lt. Paulsen says police believe “a small group of gang members is taking turns” committing these robberies. Community Police Team Officer Kevin McDaniel then briefed the group on what may have been another one in the spree, another holdup at the Country Deli in Highland Park last Sunday night: Three Hispanic males went into the store, held the cashier at gunpoint, took about a hundred dollars from the till, and made off with a case of beer. Not long afterward, police stopped what they thought might be the robbers’ car; one person ran off, another was arrested in connection with an unrelated warrant, and Officer McDaniel says they just learned tonight, that suspect was NOT involved in the robbery.

LATEST ON 18TH/DAWSON HOUSE THAT WAS SHOT AT: No arrests yet (original coverage here) but Lt. Paulsen says this one’s not believed to be random. He says officers recovered two dozen 40-caliber shell casings outside the house, five inside the house. No one has a description of the person(s) who did it.

ARBOR HEIGHTS MARIJUANA UPDATE: A bit of new information about the raid we showed you in this video report last week. Lt. Paulsen says the 200-plant operation “pretty much trashed” the entire house, which may have to be demolished. We haven’t yet obtained information on whether anyone’s going to be charged.

“SPARKLER BOMB” AND OTHER EXPLOSIVE PROBLEMS: Lt. Paulsen briefly reviewed the “sparkler bomb” case from the Admiral District last weekend (as reported here). No arrests yet but he says police believe it’s juveniles going around playing pranks – though they’re taking the cases very seriously – just lucky no one’s been hurt yet.

CONVENIENCE-STORE CONCERNS: As discussed at the November WSCPC meeting, some convenience stores in the area — Super 24 on Delridge was singled out for its proximity to the current home of Chief Sealth High School — sell “questionable” items, from potential weapons to potential paraphernalia. Community Police Team Officer Adonis Topacio says several stores are being visited regularly, and most — but not all — have removed the “questionable items.”

CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL OFFICERS: President Dot Beard, Vice President Kay Newton, and Secretary Betty Weiberg all will hold those offices for another year. On the group’s agenda for the year ahead: Possibly a meeting to talk more about how citizens and 911 operators can work better together; Beard and Newton have been engaged in dialogue with 911 leadership after pursuing citizen complaints (including some in comments here on WSB) that, even though police stress “call 911 if you see something/someone suspicious,” operators can sometimes be dismissive of such calls. They’re also looking at another Officer Appreciation Day, perhaps this coming spring.

Side note: If you live in the southeastern section of West Seattle, another crime-prevention meeting later this week may interest you; the South Delridge/White Center Community Safety Coalition meets at 6 pm Thursday, St. James Place (map).