West Seattle Crime Watch: Lightning no, car prowlers yes

| Arbor Heights | Crime | West Seattle news

Mandy e-mailed us from the 10000 block of 31st SW (map), where car prowlers have struck twice – read on:

I just wanted to shoot you a quick e-mail about our recent run-ins with car prowlers in our Arbor Heights/White Center neighborhood.

About 2 weeks ago my husband and I awoke to both of our street-parked vehicles having been broken into; here is a link to my post. Anyway, after the cops came out that time a neighbor of ours drove up to say a number of cars were hit on their block as well.

Then last night it happened to us again. This time only my hubby’s truck, they didn’t mess with my car. Maybe because it is newer and harder to break into? So from hubby’s they took about $600 or so worth of tools and damaged the door from breaking in. It is so frustrating. And such a violation. I wish there was something we could do to keep it from happening again to us or to anyone else.

Seattle Police do have a resource page for car-prowl deterrence – see it here (it’s also linked from the resource section at the bottom of the WSB Crime Watch page).

onceachef March 2, 2009 (5:30 pm)

ummmm…maybe don’t keep $600 worth of tools in the truck? I know you’re probably going to say your husband needs them for work, but….if they’re in the truck, someone will want to steal them. That goes for just about everything these days…if it’s in your car it’s that much more attractive to a thief…I know it’s a hassle and not the way it should be, but take them into your garage or house for a better chance at not having them stolen.

Amy March 2, 2009 (5:44 pm)

Always a good idea to NOT leave anything of value in your vehicle. If they see something enticing they WILL try to break in. I’ve been hit 4 times in the past 4 years (twice in 2008). My next car will have an alarm – im just hoping they don’t hit me again or actually take my car before I get a chance to…

Lights! No Action! March 2, 2009 (6:00 pm)

It’s lousy that people are getting their cars prowled, but dang it happens SO MUCH! I looked at the link WSB provided and there are good suggestions there which everyone should take a gander at.

If you can’t take a minute to follow that link, here are three which I found particularly useful and provided easy-to-do ideas to consider, so I’m just going to paste them here:

* If you park on the street:

choose a well-lit, open space even if it means adding additional street/yard lighting & trimming back trees/bushes that block your view of your vehicle.

If you park your car in a dark or isolated area, consider the City Light Area Lighting Program, which permits additional light fixtures to be placed on existing poles. The cost is less than $5 per month per light. Call (206) 684-3000 for more information.

*Consider replacing the light fixture closest to your car with a motion detector unit. Motion detectors are a good psychological deterrents since the normal assumption of a person seeing a light come on is that someone has seen them. Additionally, the light makes the prowler or thief more visible.

Good luck.

MAS March 2, 2009 (6:13 pm)

Does anyone actually assume that a light that comes on _just_ as they walk into range is NOT a motion sensor light anymore? That might have been true 25 years ago when the technology was new, but certainly not now.

I’m not saying they aren’t a good idea, but don’t believe a thief is going to be fooled.

onceachef March 2, 2009 (6:28 pm)

Not to mention that thieves probably read the police “suggestions” as well so there up on what to look for…but they’re worth a try. Light(s)and noise(s) do work. We all need a “Kit” car (what’s that TV show called?)Still, not having anything in the auto to steal is the best prevention.

Krystal March 2, 2009 (6:35 pm)

Night Rider

christopherboffoli March 2, 2009 (6:40 pm)

It was K.I.T.T. (Knight Industries Two Thousand) and it was Knight Rider. This correction is evidence of my wasted youth.

justme March 2, 2009 (7:02 pm)

Our cars were recent victims of vandalism, I assume just to give the vandals “something to do.” Our driver’s side mirrors were kicked off. Same to the neighbors. It’s such an inconvenience for sure! It took an entire week to find the replacement part because I didn’t want to go through the dealership for repairs. I sure wish these bored teens could find some reason to stay home in the evenings instead of running around at night making a nuisance of themselves. We see them hanging in packs after school throwing large rocks at passing cars. Ours was one of them! Ho hum…..

56bricks March 3, 2009 (3:18 am)

Just write ’em a dang check! They’re probably stupid enough to try to cash it.

seattleamiga March 3, 2009 (12:39 pm)

Who knows – maybe they read WSB and knew to come back for that expensive item listed in original post. Don’t forget folks – bad guys read WSB. Present company excluded -of course!!

Neighbor March 3, 2009 (2:35 pm)

Mandy,

Please contact me. I am your neighbor and have a few ideas. I’m on the corner of sw 100th and 31st ave. s.w. blue/ green house. Stop by any time, introduce yourself.

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