West Seattle’s Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow retiring

He’s been with the Seattle Police Department more than 30 years – and now, he’s about to leave. “I’ve been around for a while,” Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow acknowledged, understated as always, while confirming to WSB that he’s decided to retire. His is a civilian position, not investigating crimes, but rather working with the community to help their crime-prevention effort – setting up Block Watches, registering Night Out parties, briefing community groups, offering crime-prevention advice. We talked with him this afternoon by phone; he says, “I can hardly imagine life without working” – but he expects to stay busy, with two grandchildren, volunteering activities, and potentially some “private-sector” interests. He also has words of thanks for WSB’ers who’ve taken an intense interest in crime prevention and information-sharing (including our ongoing Crime Watch reports). While the department cut some coordinator positions this year, and made changes last year that added a second precinct to Kinlow’s responsibilities, he stresses it was his own decision to retire. His last day will be March 15; we are checking with precinct leadership to find out how prevention will be handled after his departure.

onceachef January 11, 2011 (3:58 pm)

I met Benjamin at our block-watch program meeting…he’s a very nice (and informative) man….good luck with your retirement Benjamin!

Sandy Adams January 11, 2011 (4:24 pm)

I worked with Benjamin on and off for the last 20 years. He helped us with a block watch effort, was always there to answer questions and to give encouragement. Hope you have a wonderful retirement, Benjamin. And thank you for all you years of exemplary service to the community.

chas redmond January 11, 2011 (4:26 pm)

Good Luck Benjamin. It’s been a pleasure working with you and the SW Precinct for the past umpty-dump years and we will miss you – your smile, your easy manner, your encouragement to others to become more self-reliant and to take their concerns into their own hands with all your crime prevention tips and seminars. Thank you for being such an outstanding public servant. We are better because of your efforts and our community is better off.

miws January 11, 2011 (4:34 pm)

“While the department cut some coordinator positions this year, and made changes last year that added a second precinct to Kinlow’s responsibilities, he stresses it was his own decision to retire.”

Upon seeing the Headline, the first question that came to mind; was this Mr. Kinlow’s own choice, totally unrelated to the job cuts?

Finding out it was his choice, I can only thank him for what he’s done for the community, and wish him a long, healthy, and happy retirement.

Although I have never been part of a Blockwatch, I know that Mr. Kinlow has been a huge asset to the community.

Mike

shane January 11, 2011 (4:38 pm)

Thank you for your service and enjoy retirement, you’ve earned it!

Rhonda Porter January 11, 2011 (5:11 pm)

I wish him well – Mr. Kinlow is a very nice man.

I just sent him an email yesterday to see why we haven’t been receiving the SPD newsletters that was being sent to the area Blockwatches.

Will he have a replacement?

WSB January 11, 2011 (5:18 pm)

Rhonda – I just heard back from Lt. Davis at the precinct. They’re still working on what Crime Prevention will look like post-Benjamin … since several coordinator jobs were cut in the city budget, the question would be more like, how many precincts will the person who handles SW after him be handling? Lt. Davis promises to let us know once he and Capt. Paulsen have the full picture. I would also guess there’ll be some discussion at next week’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting (Tuesday 1/18, 7 pm, precinct) … TR

tr January 11, 2011 (5:19 pm)

Benjamin Kinlow came to our blockwatch in the summer of ’09. He was great to work with. Thanks for your service to our community!

Jordan January 11, 2011 (7:58 pm)

Good luck! You have been a huge asset to the West Seattle community over the years. Yours will be a hard act to follow.

Enjoy your retirement.

Mike Dady January 11, 2011 (8:25 pm)

Thanks Benjamin, you brought a lot support forward to our neighborhood over the years. Enjoy your new life!

Pete Letourneau January 20, 2011 (8:46 am)

Ben helped us set up our block watch a number of years ago. He is a great guy and a real asset to the community. We’ll miss his efforts and my wife and I just wanted to say thanks Ben.

Sorry, comment time is over.