West Seattle Crime Watch: Break-in, arrests at closed school

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(thanks to Stephanie for the photo)
Dorcas sent first word of major police activity near Fairmount Playfield (map), and then Stephanie provided a the follow-up report (also confirmed via scanner) that an apparent break-in at closed (though opening soon for summer school) Fairmount Park Elementary is involved, and arrests are reported. We’re on the way to find out more in person. UPDATE: On site, we’ve counted nine cruisers and at least one Seattle Public Schools vehicle – good area to avoid till things settle down.

From the scanner, sounds like four suspects are in custody and one more is being sought. 5:50 PM UPDATE: Two more suspects in custody, per both the scanner and what we’re seeing on scene. Officers are still checking inside the school for more. We’re told at the scene that an alarm was tripped, leading to the successful response.

8:17 PM UPDATE: SPDBlotter has a little more information – all six suspects are described as male, 2 “young adults” and 4 “juveniles.” Looks like no property damage in the building, the report says.

Mustafa April 14, 2009 (10:51 pm)

It looks like this break-in occurred in the middle of the school day. Since the rest of the students were reportedly out selling crack, therefore it’s a shocker to find as many as 4 juveniles in the school at any time. The two young adults were probably teacher’s assistants, who should have been collecting welfare checks instead of being at school. What is this world coming to!? Let’s hear it for the police! These kids need to get their priorities straight.

WSB April 14, 2009 (11:48 pm)

In case you are actually trying to be serious … it was actually 4:39 pm when the silent alarm sounded, a few hours after school’s out at all levels. And this school has been closed for two years – TR

TeresaP April 15, 2009 (8:02 am)

I was driving by this area and watched a police officer,weapon drawn and pointed at some punk as they were telling him to lay down on the ground.

Glad they got them and hope they find the other.

westseattleite April 15, 2009 (10:17 am)

I hope this scared the living **** out of them. What’s wrong with these kids?

Tim McMonigle April 15, 2009 (10:35 am)

My son was practicing soccer at the field next to the school and saw one of the guys run across the field with a rifle, and a policman chasing him with a machine gun. The kids all went into cars, but it nevertheless left a lasting impression on them.

Wonder what they were doing with rifles if they were just trying to break into a school?

Dreamland April 15, 2009 (12:47 pm)

There seems to be some weird stuff happening in the Fairmount area where my family and I live. We’re considering breaking lease and moving back to a much quieter neighborhood in north Seattle or even in Issaquah. Just doesn’t feel very safe over here these days, and with children, it definitely gives one pause. Such a shame.

brandon April 15, 2009 (1:26 pm)

Fairmount? Such as? Timeline?

Over the past 2-3 years, perhaps. But otherwise? When I look at other parts of WS, it doesn’t seem much worse than others. Unless you consider a shotgun murder, driveby slaying, burglar shot dead, some hit/killed pedestrians, and other odds and ends.

Ok, I see what you mean…

Dreamland April 15, 2009 (3:20 pm)

I know, it’s not all isolated to this area, and it seems like things are getting worse everywhere. Or maybe it’s getting reported more. Would be interesting to know.

WSB April 15, 2009 (3:28 pm)

Every meeting we’re at with Lt. Paulsen or others from the SW Precinct, we report what they say about local stats.
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Right now, car crime is up. Residential burglary and car theft are not. Reports come in spurts – we don’t report everything that happens here – we do go to the precinct to go through reports when we can, so that we can share notable cases with you; often direct reports come here too, and that’s what we share – if it’s not a breaking-news story we’re covering while it happens, as was this one (thanks again to those who let us know about the big police presence) – TR

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