West Seattle Crime Watch: Block Watch talk, plus 3 crime reports

That’s Benjamin Kinlow, crime-prevention coordinator for the Southwest Precinct, with Admiral Neighborhood Association president Katy Walum at last night’s ANA meeting. He’s holding one of the flyers that he circulates in neighborhoods that have burglaries but no Block Watch groups. The one he’s holding is the “first burglary” alert; if there’s a second in the same neighborhood within 12 months, and still no Block Watch, there’s a pink flyer; a 3rd one, bright yellow; and he says he’s even circulated some “4th notices.” His point: Form a Block Watch. His page on the Southwest Precinct website explains how. Just last week, he told ANA, 40 people showed up for a Block Watch-organizing meeting he led. West Seattle has hundreds of Block Watch groups; almost 300 of them had block parties for Night Out last summer. He was asked how to tell if your block HAS a Block Watch; Kinlow’s reply, “If you don’t know if you have one, then you probably don’t have one” – in other words, a good Block Watch is an active one; communicating with neighbors can be a huge step toward fighting crime. ANA will work with him to invite area Block Watch captains to a future ANA meeting, date TBA. He offered a few more random crimefighting tips: If you have a ladder outside, put it away – they can be stolen (for either breaking in through upper windows, or for metal-theft money); he also suggested “No Solicitors” signs for entire blocks – so if someone is seen nearby, you KNOW they’re likely a caser. One other date he shared: Picnic at the Precinct will be 1-4 pm August 14 this year. More to come from last night’s Admiral meeting, non-crime topics, in a separate report; but first, we have a few Crime Watch reports to share – including someone who just got one of those “burglary but no Block Watch” flyers – read on:

Two, from AnnaLisa:

(Last) night at 5:00pm on California Ave between SW Raymond & SW Juneau. My purse was stolen out of my (unlocked) car while parked in a private parking area accessible only via an alley way (between California & 41st). I was inside for no more than 5-10 minutes to pick up my toddler & infant. In that time, the purse (and no other belongings) were snatched. It obviously happened very fast — and it was still light out, there is a row of condos overlooking the lot, and other parents usually pull in around the same time. Pretty brazen. I admit to being irresponsible in not only leaving the car unlocked, but also leaving my purse in the car. It was buried under a couple bags of groceries on the passenger seat. While am kicking myself for being an idiot, I wanted to alert others in the neighborhood to be on the lookout for a car prowler(s).

2) I was recently alerted to another break-in on our block within the past week or so, on SW Rose St between 35th & 37th. I don’t have many details but heard from a neighbor that the burglar(s) climbed in through a doggy door in the back, and stole numerous electronics. They are brand new to the neighborhood too. The neighbor across the street had his home broken into a little over a month ago as well. We received a flyer in the mail today alerting us that a 2nd burglary has occured on our street.

And this one from Sarah:

I wanted to report that there was a car prowl in my neighborhood (36th and Charlestown) at 5am on Sunday morning. Someone saw three people, two men and a woman in a silver car breaking into my neighbors car. They called the police but the theives were spooked by something and ran off without taking anything. They did however drill the lock out of one of the doors.

17 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: Block Watch talk, plus 3 crime reports"

  • Aim February 10, 2010 (3:39 pm)

    So, if flyer = burglary but no block watch, does lack of flyer after a known burglary mean we have a block watch in our neighborhood? Neighbors were burglarized just before Christmas. No flyer yet. Can I safely assume we have a block watch? If so, is there ANY sort of master list of captains that can be contacted? I’d be more than happy to give my name and contact info to Mr. Kinlow if he has a way to pass it along. I want to get involved, have met all my neighbors, but have not heard a thing about a blockwatch.

    Thanks,

    • WSB February 10, 2010 (4:10 pm)

      Aim, I think it’s one of those – if you get a flyer it’s supposed to mean no block watch, but not everyone without a block watch gets a flyer. Sounds like he’s pretty much a one-man band on this and the # of burglarized neighborhoods without block watches may outstrip # of flyers he can get out, or something. I think that if you contact him – follow the link in the story – he would be able to tell you if you have a Block Watch.

  • LJ February 10, 2010 (4:01 pm)

    I grew up on Rose between 35th and 37th, and my folks lived there for 50 years. During that entire time there was never a break in or burglary. I’m very sad to hear that neighborhood is now being targeted. I read there was a crime on Southern too. Not sure how many of my old neighbors still live on that street, but I hope they’re safe.

  • bebecat February 10, 2010 (4:43 pm)

    My parents lived in the same house for 43 years here in West Seattle and never had a break in. Alot of this trouble started to trickle in when the new large bridge was built. West Seattle became THE place to live. Before the new bridge there was no real clear exit from the northern to central part of West Seattle. Chances are the police would catch a crook on Harbor Island at the bridge or train tracks or ahead on marginal or heading south down California ave heading for 35th. I’ve lived in West Seattle for 57 yrs and have had 2 car prowls. Both times unlocked. Lost a Garage door opener, and a pair of sunglasses. I pray I never have to experience more than this. As for the flyers? Well I received 2 and when I called to ask about where the break in were on my block. The police would not tell me anything, just that they had indeed happened. So how would I know what to look for. None of my neighbors heard about any break ins. I think it is just a way to build block watches because they are short on police coverage. Gas is too expensive to do any patrolling.

  • Travis February 11, 2010 (3:15 am)

    Yes bebecat, the police dont want to protect you from buglars because gas is expensive. Its all their fault that crime is up in West Seattle. You are delusional.
    The idea of a block watch is to bring communities together to help watch out for one another, not because police dont want to spend money on gas. The police are doing what they can, but cant be on your block 24 hours a day.

  • rw February 11, 2010 (8:36 am)

    Forgive my ignorance… but what does a block watch do? Do the members actively patrol or hold meetings or …? I’m all for keeping an eye out for my neighbors and being part of an organized effort to keep our property and belongings safe and would like to know more about this.

  • picot February 11, 2010 (11:15 am)

    Our little block watch has been a great community builder! Not only have all gotten to know one another but we’ve managed to protect our homes much more effectively. We’re all connected through an email list that keeps us informed as to what is happening in the neighborhood in real time. It was used quite effectively to catch the infamous thief Skylar Hailey. We know when someone is in the neighborhood that is suspicious. We also know when folks are out of town or if someone in the neighborhood has been car prowled, etc. The result we’re seeing is notable in that when do have problems they are dealt with faster and with a coordinated approach. We have all noticed that people who come into the neighborhood know quickly that they are being watched and leave fairly quickly. Door to door…they get frustrated and give up. Casings-they can see us watching them and even taking photos if the intuition is strong. It’s also helped make the kids feel safer in that they’ve got all of us watching out for them, a drag I’m sure as they get older but they know now that there are adults looking out for them now even if they are a couple blocks away from home It’s even helped reunite lost pets to their distraught owners.

  • charlie horse February 11, 2010 (6:41 pm)

    A block watch is a great concept that will give you a warm fuzzy while at work or fast asleep; a thought that you are actually doing something positive to protect your home and family, until you find out that it does really nothing. Lock all household doors and windows, do not answer the door for any “solicitors”, have valuables stored in a locked/hidden safe, keep your vehicles off the street and locked inside a garage if you have one. Keep in mind this will only minimize the potential of being violated by a thief, and nothing else. And if you are a victim, don’t expect the cops to actually show up in any sort of timely manner. They may take a report if you request, but please don’t expect CSI. You are lucky if they arrive within 24 hours of the initial call.

  • RP February 11, 2010 (8:09 pm)

    Our home was broken into on Feb 5th 2010 at approximentaly 1:30pm ( I live near 21st & Roxbury) My back door was kicked in but lucky nothing was stolen. I have a dog and I believe she chased them out. My neighbors have surveillane cameras and showed me the suspicous teenagers walking up and down my (dead end)block and then head towards my house. The first suspect was male black age 16-17 tall wearing red pants,a jacket with fur around the hood.The second suspect male appeared to be the same age but shorter. Police viewed the footage for evidence. Around 4pm that very same day a vehicle full of teens driving a 4 door light green early 90’s honda accord drove down my street and stared at my house. I stayed home from work the next day and they were there again on my block but fled when I noticed them. License Plate 598-tni
    I called the police to report the info. My neighbor a few houses down were broken into on Jan 29th 2010.

  • picot February 11, 2010 (9:53 pm)

    Charlie-the actual events of the day our neighborhood caught an actual thief completely contradict what you wrote. The police were on the scene in less than four minutes. They caught the kids and were very supportive of our little neck of woods. The reality of what happens is very different from your sad piss of a whine.

  • charlie horse February 11, 2010 (10:10 pm)

    Ok Picot,
    You are correct. They should rename this page peace time instead of crime watch. Go back to your neighborhood picnic and keep living the dream.

    • WSB February 11, 2010 (11:12 pm)

      A rules reminder – posting under different names from the same IP, particularly to try to pose as 1 person voicing support for the other, is not allowed. (And if you are both at the same IP because you live together – then person 2 needs to identify their relationship to person 1.) This is a sock-puppet-free zone. Thanks! – TR

  • rob February 12, 2010 (8:50 am)

    Benjamin Kinlow acts as though he is a police officer, but he is not. He posts scary flyers on neighborhood fences and doors without specific information. I told him that if he trespassed on my property again, he would be charged with trespassing.

    We have a block watch and he still put his flyers up including on empty houses which is like an open invitation for thieves. He is not allowed to place flyers in mailboxes and cannot post them on private property, so he needs to talk directly to the people, but not to me, I have a no soliciting sign and a locked gate.

  • bebecat February 12, 2010 (4:48 pm)

    rob, you are spot on with this. I am so in agreement with you.

  • anonymous February 13, 2010 (12:53 am)

    I am still displaced from the “burglary” on Feb 4 that occured one block from 21st and roxbury. Nothing was taken, but virtually everything in my home was destroyed. My back security lights were taken out and cord ripped out. Windows broken and everything stompped, broken and trashed. My dog was inside and the neighbors said they could only hear another neighbors loud music at the time. I am trying to keep things in perspective but the above reports combined with my experience is very disturbing.What a bummer…

  • CB February 21, 2010 (9:10 pm)

    This neighborhood is being targeted. We must keep our eyes and ears open. Thanks Sarah and other 37th & Charlestown neighbors who intervened and/or were alert during this car break-in. It is because of their awareness and follow up that the car sustained only lock damage. Another neighbor’s car was broken into on the same block on the same morning and approximately at the same time. Items were stolen, including identification paperwork that was thrown in the bushes at the corner of Charlestown & 36th. Who knows what the car prowlers now know about that car’s owner. In addition, a home burglery occured on New Year’s Eve day within a few houses from both of these car break-ins. This home’s door was kicked in and electronics were stolen. Be aware and keep us all informed of what you see!

  • Tired of the non-sense March 3, 2010 (4:11 pm)

    To Rob’s comment on Kinlow. I don’t feel as harsh about him as you, but I do feel he is wasting a lot of our time. We apparently have had a third break-in (attempt or real it is never mentioned) on our block. I saw him on our block after the second one, he saw me looking at him with suspicion from down the road as he sat in his car. He does not knock on the doors to deliver the notices to inform, just drops them on the porch, which of course, looks like no one is home. To give us some insight as to the house or section of the block would be great. We have some great neighbors, and some that get mentioned in the crime watch part of the blog as well, do I really want to go talk to the felon down the street, about a break in? NO!

    Mac

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