Two quick Crime Watch notes tonight, one from Westwood and one from Highland Park – read on:

Pete sent this last night:

Thought I’d share for folks not on our block but close to it. Came home to a pink “2nd Burglary Alert” notice on my doorstep from the SPD warning that there has been a 2nd burglary w/in 12 months on the 9000 block of 35th SW [map].

Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow has explained that he has those flyers distributed in blocks without Block Watches, in hopes of encouraging their formation – if a burglary happens on a block that has a Block Watch, he contacts its captain so they can get the word out. (Find out more about Block Watch here.)

And from Greg:

There has been an increase in drug deals near Highland Park Elementary [map] in the last few weeks. Last week I walked right up to a car after a deal went down and watched the guy rolling up his stash, but my cell camera froze before I could snap the plates. Since there’s little the police can do after the fact, I would like to post vehicle descriptions, license numbers on the crimewatch page so we can all keep an eye out for these folks

Date: 4/19/2010
vehicle 1: white honda civic, washington plate #512-S**
vehicle 2: white ford ranger with black offroad lights on the front bumper, washington plate#B821***

The asterisks represent digits we are not publishing; our policy is not to publish specific identifying info for either victims or suspects, such as full addresses and license plate numbers, but partials should be able to help neighbors know if they’re seeing the same vehicles over and over again. Police do reiterate that when you see suspicious activity, call 911 – if you’re making the call as it happens or just afterward – if you’re not making a report till much later, the non-emergency number at 625-5011 is recommended.