Update: Armored police vehicle at 36th/Morgan

10:26 PM: Thanks to everyone who has texted/e-mailed about this, and to Jason for sharing photos. We’re still working to see what police can/will say about camouflaged officers with an armored vehicle in the 36th/Morgan vicinity tonight. All indications are that it is not a “standoff”-type situation – this kind of presence is not unusual when an arrest and/or search warrant is involved, for example. But we have no official comment yet; just wanted to let you know we’re checking on it, and will add any information we do obtain.

12:22 AM: Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams says the Eastside Narcotics Task Force was searching a residence – not SPD. No arrests reported at this point, but since it wasn’t SPD, we’ll have to pursue more info with ENTF next week.

Yardvark February 5, 2011 (6:21 am)

I always figured that was a crack house, if it’s the one I’m thinking about. Glad to hear the police are on it. I guess we’ll find out for sure now.

Angela February 5, 2011 (9:30 am)

We were on our way home from dinner and drove by this last night. There were two men sitting on the tailgate of the armored car and they appeared to be handcuffed. The officers in camo were standing in front of them and it looked like they were questioning them. Thank you for reporting on this and everything else you report on. The West Seattle Blog is always the first place I go for news in our area Thank you for doing what you do.

WSB February 5, 2011 (9:36 am)

Thanks, Angela. When co-publisher Patrick went by to check it out – so we could get a quick take on whether it appeared to be a warrant situation (which we now know it was, since you need a warrant to search) or an ongoing standoff – he saw that same scene, with a couple of people in cuffs; I can’t guarantee we’ll be able to find out more on Monday but we’ll certainly try. Sometimes this kind of thing is part of an ongoing operation/investigation with nothing announceable for weeks or even months. – TR

Mary February 5, 2011 (10:07 am)

How does the Eastside Narcotics Task Force have jurisdiction of any sort in West Seattle? Just curious.

James February 5, 2011 (10:33 am)

When I first saw the photo of two soldiers standing by an armored vehicle I thought you were doing a report on Egypt. I’m so sick of seeing armored vehicles all over the damn place. Crack house or not…

JimmyG February 5, 2011 (10:37 am)

Mary, all sworn police officers in Washington state have jurisdiction to enforce laws anywhere in the state.
If a case the the ENTF is investigating leads them to West Seattle they have full authority to work the case here and usually give the local police department a heads up of what they’ll be doing.

old timer February 5, 2011 (11:24 am)

I would guess than anyone with an armored vehicle, uniforms, and weapons has pretty much free reign.
.
“We don’t need no stinkin’ badges”.
.
So, watch your step!
(sarc/off)

Darren February 5, 2011 (1:06 pm)

We drove by last night and saw about 15 in camo. Pretty scary looking.

S February 5, 2011 (7:08 pm)

Wow!.. I live right on the corner of 35th and Morgan 36th is right behind me..and had no idea this was going on. I slept through all of it. Probably best, but a little scary so close to me. I was either out cold or they were very quiet…lol

Kevin February 5, 2011 (7:58 pm)

James what do you suppose we do? Hold a big stick in a threating manner? In case you have never dealt with an individual on drugs they are unpredictable.Furhter more for the most part the dealers are armed and do not care about turning a quiet West Seattle neighborhood into the streets of Cairo.

Dean February 5, 2011 (8:07 pm)

quote:>..”I’m so sick of seeing armored vehicles all over the damn place. Crack house or not”..<

Lets see how you feel a few years down the road when the drug dealing gangs have destroyed your neighborhood and forced you to move out. If the cops are going in hot n heavy they have good reason to. You may have heard of some events south of the boarder recently? Lets hope the good guys prevail in the long run.

Mike February 5, 2011 (10:58 pm)

They would have gotten the ok from the local authority to take action. JimmyG’s comment is not true, there is no “all” access to do as you wish when sworn in.
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When I was at WSU we had riots and there was actual national guard there to restore peace, THAT is a show of force that’ll get your blood flowing when you live near by. This was a method to safely arrest a couple bad guys.

James February 6, 2011 (12:17 am)

In my opinion, whether they know it or not, by militarizing the police they are being prepared for the declaration of martial law.

My uncle was a police officer for 30 years in Atlanta. And believe me Atlanta is a whole lot tougher than West Seattle will ever be. He didn’t have to use an armored vechicle to arrest some punk ass crack dealers. Of course he was a very tough dude, he carried 3 guns and 2 knives while on duty. And believe me he would not hesitate to kick the living crap out of you if you threatened him. And if you drew a gun on him you’d be dead.

I’m just concerned that we are setting ourselves up for a very bad fall.

Sloan February 6, 2011 (5:27 am)

I don’t think the “military” look of those officers was a bad thing. They are only protecting themselves with the best equipment available. I’ts just unusual for us to see it in our neighborhood.

And good for them. They have a dangerous job and deserve the best equipment & technology. If you asked me to serve a warrant on a drug house, I’d want all that protection too!!

datamuse February 6, 2011 (9:56 am)

James, did you live in Seattle in 1999? Just curious.

Bill \\\"Rattler\\\" Blashkey February 6, 2011 (11:28 am)

Well you drug dealing punks listen up! Back in Nam I was with 101st airborne! I fought for freedom of speech! When we had a drug dealer in our platoon they caught friendly fire! Hell if a guy stole one of my smokes I would smack the taste out of his mouth! The goddamn hippies are taking over just like they did in Cairo! Take your goddamn drugs back to woodstock and let me have PTSD in Peace! Let the cops do their jobs for chirsts sake, you hippies wont quit your drugs so someones gotta stop you!

Alki Resident February 6, 2011 (1:09 pm)

@James-What area of Washington do you hang out in that you always see armored vehicles?

kevin February 7, 2011 (5:45 am)

Maybe in Cairo?:))

Resident Morgan Street February 7, 2011 (7:31 am)

This house is on the corner of a major street with police going by all day. I was surprised that the swat teams didn’t come sooner. From the minute they moved in several months ago, there was constant activity at all times of the day at the home. They even set their car on fire a week or so after they moved in so thoughts of Meth manufacturing came to mind. I’m just surprised that more people were not arrested. It was really scary seeing all the police in full gear running around. I hope it makes them move. I’m glad that so many people noticed what was going on.