West Seattle graffiti/tagging vandalism: Two updates

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two items regarding graffiti/tagging vandalism in West Seattle:

CLEANUP: Meredith shared that photo of a worker painting out what appeared alongside the low bridge over the weekend. If you spot graffiti/tagging vandalism on city property – bridges, parks, etc. – you can report it online (go here) or through a special hotline: 684-7587. The city website also notes that private property owners are accountable for cleanup and if they don’t, the Graffiti Nuisance Ordinance may apply (read about it here).

YET MORE ‘HOMOPHOBIC GRAFFITI’: We have reported this multiple times since early September and continue to get new reports. Over the weekend, Sarah spotted and photographed several more places in the Morgan Junction area where she saw the same profane three-word declaration/accusation — including a business door and residential garage. Last time we talked with police about this, they were looking to see if the same man arrested last spring might be involved again; the charges filed against him then were dropped because he was found incompetent to stand trial, and the official record of his status ends with an evaluation recommendation. This vandalism has turned up on a multitude of public and private spots around Morgan Junction and north Lincoln Park, so it might not be a stretch to suggest that if you see anyone who looks like they are writing on a sign in that area, call police.

LP November 2, 2009 (1:18 pm)

I wish we could get a description or photo of the perpetrator of the homophobic graffiti. I find it really threatening to our community as a whole, but especially to our gay neighbors. It is embarrassing and sad to me that my gay friends and family members see this when they come to my neighborhood. This jerk certainly does not represent our community values. I hope someone catches him in the act. I’m sure looking for him.

BC November 2, 2009 (3:56 pm)

No kidding, this is getting rediculous. Everywhere you walk you see the same phrase (abbreviated; ‘F.R.K.’). But, if the guy is legally insane/unfit, it seems even if caught in the act, there’s nothing anyone can do. Is that a run-on sentence? Anyway, it’s very discomforting to see the graffiti in every nook and cranny of our neighborhood. As whacked out as he is, I hope someone doesn’t hospitalize the fella if they catch him.

HG November 2, 2009 (4:22 pm)

I saw this at Chuck and Sally’s. I called the police non-emergency line about it. It is completely offensive. Are we as the public allowed to clean it off private property, especially an empty place like Chuck and Sally’s?

KateMcA November 3, 2009 (8:53 am)

Good question HG… I’d be up for a clean-up/paint-out if it’s ok to do that. I am so sad that this is going on in WS- this lunatic certainly doesn’t represent the views of the majority of us, but it’s what people see when they come to visit our neighborhoods. I just hope that when someone catches this guy, they just call the cops instead of doing something equally stupid.

Claire H November 14, 2009 (4:24 pm)

We just moved here and my gay friend and I walked through Solstice Park and found this graffiti on the back of the park signs and in areas of the pea patch. I was so sorry and hurt that this had happened to my new neighborhood. My friend and I tried to scratch it out, but that did not seem to work.
I am glad for this blog. At least then we can talk with one another and keep each other informed.

Mark Wall November 19, 2009 (9:40 am)

why does law enforcement make it so easy if the fines are stiff with jail time they might not want to think twice about the crime? or why not install cameras with someone watching them real time?

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