Happening today/tonight: From 911 to WWII to taxes, and more

| Crime | Fun stuff to do | Safety | West Seattle people

Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

911: When to call it, and when not to? Not as easy an answer as you might think. The West Seattle Crime Prevention Council has been pursuing concerns about citizen confusion and dispatcher response, and has the Seattle Police 911 boss as a special guest at tonight’s meeting. 7 pm, Southwest Precinct meeting room (map), and as always, you’ll also get the chance to learn about the latest West Seattle crime concerns and trends, as well as asking police any questions you have about what’s going on where you live.

WWII: The Rosie the Riveters of West Seattle are presenting a program about their lives during World War II at 2 pm today, cafe dining room at Providence Mount St. Vincent.

ANTIQUE SHOPPING: The folks at the Discovery Shop in The Junction (4535 California SW), which raises money for the American Cancer Society, are having their “yearly antique event,” open 10 am-4:30 pm daily except Sundays.

TAX HELP: Trained volunteers will be at the High Point Library branch, 5-7 pm tonight, to help you prepare a personal tax return. More info here.

StringCheese February 17, 2009 (9:24 am)

Totally confusing with the 911! I, incorrectly it seems, always assumed it was for EMERGENCIES ONLY. However, on two occasions when our car was broken into – annoying but not an emergency – we were told by the SW precinct operator to call 911. Apparently, they weren’t allowed to dispatch? This seemed ridiculous at the time, and still does. I hope they have fixed this system. I will definitely try to make it to the meeting.

jsrekd February 17, 2009 (12:31 pm)

only 911 dispatches. that will not be changing, nor does it need to be “fixed.” the precinct clerk (the one who usually answers the phone at the precinct) is not responsible for dispatching SW units. Patrol units are dispatched city-wide in 4 quadrants (north, south, east & west) That way, since dispatchers are aware of what is going on city-wide, resources can be applied as needed.

If you have a “crime in progress” call 911. If it happened overnight, or more than 30 minutes ago, call the non-emergency number. both numbers connect to the same call-takers, but 911 calls will be answered first.

Pete February 17, 2009 (12:40 pm)

BUT always remember to call 911 and report crimes or anything suspicious. This is how SPD tracks trends and crimes. They also use this information to assign resources. So if you do not call 911 and report things this distorts the crime reporting numbers and sometimes the resources are not sent to where they are actually needed.

jsrekd February 17, 2009 (2:31 pm)

YES. report, report, report. It’s the only way SPD knows what is going on, and where to apply resources. Reporting via the non-emergency line or 911 will get the same reporting.

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