West Seattle Crime Watch: Not just mail theft – mailbox theft

| Crime | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

We usually don’t publish exact addresses of crime victims, but in this case, the address matters because it’s part of what was stolen: At 8424 46th SW near Lincoln Park, someone made off with the address sign you see at left AND the mailbox. Chris e-mailed the photo along with the report that the theft happened sometime between noon Saturday and 9 am today, and is most concerned about getting back the mail. The sign is lettered in stainless steel and matches a nearby trellis.

AHM March 9, 2009 (9:54 am)

Not surprising. About 2 weeks ago someone was trying to open my LOCKED mailbox on Saturday. They didn’t leave a flyer selling something and we received our mail 2 hrs later. My son caught a glimpse of the guy and it was NOT a postal worker. (I live in the Arbor Heights neighborhood)

DownTheStreet March 9, 2009 (10:55 am)

I live just down the street. Sunday morning around 11am I noticed 3 police cars parked (no lights or sirens) on 46th just north of Rose. Perhaps a related incident? Maybe worth checking.

. March 9, 2009 (11:03 am)

Why did 8464 46th SW have an address sign reading 8424?

WSB March 9, 2009 (11:12 am)

Fixed. The map was right, at least.

Jenny DB March 9, 2009 (12:56 pm)

West Seattle seems to be a hotspot for mail theft. Or perhaps its just better reported because the blog does such a good job tracking crime… I know the Junction True Value in West Seattle carries high quality locking mailboxes.

Save Our Streets Seattle March 9, 2009 (12:58 pm)

EVERY night something is stolen from my yard. I’ve lost at least $50 in reflectors to try to keep other scofflaws from driving through my yard. I have 2 choices, and I can’t afford either any more. I have to either keep buying more plants and mulch and stones for my yard every week to replace the ones destroyed by the drunks jumping the CURB and driving through my landscaped yard, OR keep putting reflectors out that get stolen. Remind me why I live in crime-ridden West Seattle again? This really upsets me knowing that my “neighbors” can not seem to stop destroying my yard.

S March 9, 2009 (2:03 pm)

SOSS, have you considered boulders instead of reflectors?

MAS March 9, 2009 (2:19 pm)

SOSS, S – or maybe spikes? I can’t imagine that it’s illegal to have spikes in your own yard. The only way that causes harm is when someone drives ON YOUR LAWN…

Save Our Streets Seattle March 9, 2009 (2:56 pm)

Thanks. Yes, I tried a boulder (even painted it neon orange) but one of the bad/drunk drivers must have a VERY big truck or SUV. When he or she ran over the boulder (hic) they dragged it almost 6 inches along the curb destroying 6 inches of edging (at a cost of $25). Each instance may only cost me $5-$50, but the cumulative effect is hurting my already sore bank account. As the City would say, “I didn’t budget for this.” I was worried that spikes may injure a human or (one of the many stray) dogs in my hood. When the weather gets warmer, I’m going to try to cement some “sturdier” reflectors (like highway-style) in the affected areas (2 corners of my property). It’s just so sad that it’s come to this, that I have to design and construct and indestructable barrier in MY yard to prevent my “neighbors” from ruining my landscaping (which I have been spending ALL my money on back when I thought that I might be able to sell my house one day). Now, it just looks pretty (except the corners which are destroyed).

fiz March 9, 2009 (4:22 pm)

After the neighborhood drunk took out our corner fence post the third time, Hubby replaced it with a six inch pipe filled with concrete and buried 30 inches in the ground. It was still there when we moved. We don’t know where the drunk is.

MAS March 9, 2009 (4:59 pm)

Actually, I like fiz’s suggestion better than spikes. A 4′ x 6″ PVC pipe sunk 3′ in the ground and filled with concrete might help out here. If you’re feeling generous painted yellow for visibility. Bollards are pretty effective in keeping traffic where it’s supposed to go.

Sorry about your landscaping. We have minor destruction to ours all of the time, but it’s outright vandalism, not accidental.

Save Our Streets Seattle March 9, 2009 (5:36 pm)

Thanks! I think a similar cement post solution will work in my case. I’ll paint it bright orange and put reflective tape on it, and it will still get hit. But, I think I see that cement-filled pole vs. car is a bit more of a fair fight. Thanks again for all the innovative and interesting ideas. Keep ’em coming f something has worked for you. I’m willing to try it!

CrazyDogLady March 9, 2009 (11:07 pm)

That sucks! I was just noticed that sign for the first time over the weekend and was thinking what a cool addition it was to the house. What would possess someone to steal it when it was made to match other elements on the property? People are holes.

Save Our Streets Seattle March 10, 2009 (11:39 am)

Our neighborhood woke up to a graffiti spree this morning. What is the purpose of a block watch if the hoodlum children (for whom 50% of my property taxes go to “educate”) do this stuff at 3AM? No one on my block is up at 3AM. This graffiti occurred right under the few working street lights on our block. Senseless destruction brought to you by the future of our country as “educated’ by the Seattle Public Schools.

GalPal March 12, 2009 (6:05 am)

SOSS, you probably already know this but the City has graffiti removal kits that I think are free of charge. It’s a drag, I know, to spend time cleaning up after the nogoodniks that do this stuff, but research has shown if you clean it up quickly it’s less likely to happen again.

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