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Police updates: Car prowler thwarted; another Admiral crackdown

February 17, 2011 11:57 am
|      103 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Two items this morning involving West Seattle police. First, we checked on early-morning activity in Arbor Heights, after multiple reports from WSB’ers (thank you!) Here’s what Southwest Precinct Lt. Ron Rasmussen says happened:

We responded to a call about a car prowler (again, heads-up work by the neighbors who heard the car alarm and called us). Officers were in the area and were able to respond very quickly. They spotted the suspect getting on a bus; however, he took off running as we tried to arrest him and he was able to evade us. We were out searching the area for him but weren’t able to locate him. We did recover the stolen items and returned them to the owner.

And from SPD Blotter – for the third consecutive week, a speeder crackdown on Admiral Way hill:

On February 16th at 9 a.m., seven officers from the Aggressive Driver Response Team (ADRT) conducted a speed emphasis in the 3300 block of SW Admiral Way (southbound). The speed limit on that portion of Admiral Way is 30 mph. The officers stopped 51 drivers for speeding which resulted in 61 citations. Some notable citations:

5 at 48 mph
2 at 49 mph
1 at 50 mph
1 at 51 mph
1 at 52 mph
1 at 54 mph
1 at 59 mph
5 no proof of insurance
1 No Valid Operator’s License
1 cell phone violation

Aggressive drivers beware! These types of operations occur frequently!

And according to a WSB Forums post – one at 42 mph. P.S. Here are the links to our reports on the past two weeks’ crackdowns – last week, here; the week before, here.

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103 Replies to "Police updates: Car prowler thwarted; another Admiral crackdown"

  • lucky chick February 17, 2011 (12:09 pm)

    Yay! Ticket those cell phone users!!

  • toddinwestwood February 17, 2011 (12:10 pm)

    Hey West Seattle, SPD has found their cash cow. now that you have been warned….

  • 2wheels a-go-go February 17, 2011 (12:17 pm)

    More speeders busted! SWEET! I hope they come back next week also!
    .
    By the way, I’m curious if they have been conducting the speed traps in the uphill or downhill directions (or both)? Anyone know? I do know that speeding is rampant in both directions.

    • WSB February 17, 2011 (12:25 pm)

      I believe our quote above from SPD Blotter says southbound. That’s downhill, toward the bridge.

  • rob February 17, 2011 (12:21 pm)

    any more detail on the car prowler? i think this may have at been my neighbor’s house.

  • Right On February 17, 2011 (12:21 pm)

    Finally! Not about the money people. When the speed limit is posted, drive the speed limit. It’s simple, VERY SIMPLE, math. Speed Limit 30, means limit your speed to 30.
    Please now move your patrol to 35th Ave. SW.

  • Mike Chandler February 17, 2011 (12:22 pm)

    I haven’t lived in West Seattle for years, but I wonder why the speed limit is 30 mph on that empty stretch of road anyway? 59 is ridiculous, but 40 or 45 might be more appropriate…

  • M February 17, 2011 (12:28 pm)

    Nearly 10% stopped had no proof of insurance…

  • Michael February 17, 2011 (12:32 pm)

    Cha-CHING!
    .
    It’s easy as shooting fish in a barrel to stop people who just came off a 45-mph freeway for not immediately slowing down to 30.
    .
    It’s our version of the small-town speed trap. They’ll never put a nickel of that money into the improved signage that would REALLY reduce speeds, because…well, cha-CHING!

    • WSB February 17, 2011 (12:38 pm)

      Michael – They didn’t just come off the 45-mph freeway if they were going SOUTHBOUND, as SPD Blotter says. Don’t know what the limit is up atop the hill as you leave the business district, but I am fairly certain it’s not 45.

  • TW February 17, 2011 (12:36 pm)

    I think 30 is too slow there but so be it, one can deal. That said, 7 cops?! There was an entire fleet of patrol cars parked in that driveway at the bottom of the hill. Seems to me there has to be a better use for those resources.

  • datamuse February 17, 2011 (12:37 pm)

    At this rate, the city’s budget woes should be solved in no time.

  • rob February 17, 2011 (12:40 pm)

    even if they were getting people coming off the bridge (which it says they weren’t)…

    if its possible for a person exiting the bridge to take the fairly sharp curve at the end of the ramp at 40+ without realizing they are probably going too fast, they really shouldn’t be driving.

  • Neighbor February 17, 2011 (12:40 pm)

    Mike-it’s funny/scary that you’ve lived in WS for years and yet don’t know that Admiral actually has houses on it, it’s not just an empty stretch of road but actually a street with real live humans living on it. Helllooooo

  • Bill February 17, 2011 (12:45 pm)

    I predict 100+ comments in the near future. Anybody want to bet on an over/under?

  • Mike B February 17, 2011 (12:55 pm)

    30mph is stupid for that stretch- especially down hill. That road was 35 mph forever. A poor way to collect funds for the city.

  • Sean February 17, 2011 (12:59 pm)

    That is a ridiculous speed limit that has no relation to public safety. 30 would be safe if the hill was covered in snow.

  • JB February 17, 2011 (1:07 pm)

    Your not from the West if you speed down Admiral

  • JoB February 17, 2011 (1:08 pm)

    People get caught doing 50 + in a 30 and inevitably the comments start that 30 is too slow.. it should be 35?
    And how would that prevent those speeding down that hill at 50+ or 40+ avoid a ticket?
    you really have to wonder at the stupidity of some people.
    how many speed crackdowns on that stretch of road do you think it would take to teach them that slowing down is the better option?
    In the meantime.. i am more than happy that they are subsidizing our local police department.
    Instead of a sin tax we got a speed tax :)

  • datamuse February 17, 2011 (1:16 pm)

    Actually, Mike B, it seems to be working out very well on the city’s end. Unless you’re pointing out that drivers clocked at 40+ would’ve gotten ticketed either way?

  • westseattledood February 17, 2011 (1:28 pm)

    Unless I imagined it, I saw a 20 mph sign on Admiral EB – after the ravine bridge and *just before* the curve south down the hill. I would think that should be giving ample heads up to drivers to begin the descent at the curve at a lower speed. The momentum from the hill builds and at midpoint you tap on the brake if needed. Easy.

    I applaud these speed emphasis patrols. You takes your risks, you pay the price. Your choice.

  • traci February 17, 2011 (1:31 pm)

    Though 30 does seem painfully slow sometimes, I’m happy about it. People change lanes abrubtly (especially at the top and very bottom of the hill) and there ARE turnoffs for houses. When people fly past me going 50+ MPH it’s so scary. Also when people speed down the hill during morning the morning traffic jam I get super upset. I have seen two bad accidents at the bottom of Admiral caused by careless drivers speeding.

  • Julie February 17, 2011 (1:36 pm)

    Our car was prowled recently. Stupid us for forgetting to lock the doors.

    Also, I swear to god my mail has been opened from my box recently. Three different pieces slit or torn open in one week? Has anyone else noticed this in the Morgan Junction/Gatewood area?

  • westseattledood February 17, 2011 (1:36 pm)

    Yup – 20 mph limit at curve sign is at corner of Admiral and Belvedere. So there ya’ go people…lose your speed at the curve and tap your brake a time or two. Or keep on donating…

  • NotMe February 17, 2011 (1:55 pm)

    Please do continue to complain about the current speed limit being stupid, how it should be 35, and the crazy idea that the cops are only doing this to get money and while they are catching speeders, our houses are broken into, people are getting robbed at gunpoint, the whole of West Seattle is going to the dogs. (Please, no off-leashers today). Oh, and be sure to explain one more time how you will continue to save 8.6 seconds each way to total an entire month by the end of year… if only “they” would change it back to 35. It just ain’t gonna happen… know why?
    .
    Because the speed limit = 30. There is a reason it was lowered to 30 from 35. People were getting maimed and killed when it was 35.
    .
    But please… continue doing 40+ or whatever you like down that hill. But when you get the ticket, be sure to tell the officer, “But Officer, that speed limit used to be 35! I have lived her for 10,000 years. I don’t deserve this ticket for going 43 mph!”

  • Aaron February 17, 2011 (2:00 pm)

    Thank you for your comment JoB.

    Every one of the ticketed people listed above would have been going +10 mph over the speed limit even if it was raised to 35 mph. I think the issue is high speed speeders not the low speed violators.

  • Kathleen February 17, 2011 (2:16 pm)

    I am not sure what all the complaining is about the “cha-ching”. The nation/ state/ county/ city are in terrible economic shape and they all need money. That said– this completely voluntary. If you drive 30 you don’t pay. If you do, you risk it. It is that simple….. huh?

  • mike February 17, 2011 (2:26 pm)

    Yep, definitely on the downhill portion. I watched the person in front of me zoom down the hill. And as we were getting closer to the bottom, I watched as the cop car pulled out from that alley/driveway and went in pursuit, another cop car lined up right behind him, ready to get the next speeder. Glad it wasn’t me!

  • Alex February 17, 2011 (2:31 pm)

    Yep, 30 is too slow, it should be 35. There’s always one crazy guy going 60, though. That’s waaaaay too fast! I wonder if it’s been the same guy each week, or different people? Either way, 30 over the limit should be reckless driving or something.

  • Colleen February 17, 2011 (2:37 pm)

    I will say last night driving up the hill everyone was doing the speed limit. First time in a long time so I think the word is getting out.

  • james February 17, 2011 (2:47 pm)

    20 mph signs are for school zones, probably around 59th Ave SW(?). It’s a 30 mph sign after the bridge.

    Hey Mike B.,
    The speed limit on the hill had been 35 mph N/B to the middle of the hill where it changed to 30 mph for many, many, many years. The downhill was 35 mph for about 2 to 3 blocks where it then went back to 30 mph about half way down. It too had been that way for a very long time. The hill has not been 35 mph forever.

  • 2wheels a-go-go February 17, 2011 (3:15 pm)

    @westseattledood: FYI: The 20mph speed limit sign you refer to at the top of admiral (yellow diamond sign with a curve arrow) is an advisory speed limit, not a maximum speed limit. It is a recommended speed for the corner, but is not enforced. The *maximum* speed limit is still 30mph around that curve.
    .
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advisory_speed_limit

  • westseattledood February 17, 2011 (3:18 pm)

    20 mph yellow sign with curved arrow to right on it is, as I said, at Belvidere and Admiral clear as day.

  • As-If February 17, 2011 (3:35 pm)

    I got it! They should build 4 or 5 chicanes down both sides of Admiral and put big bushes and trees on them like in the neighborhoods, and post signs the read “20 mph corner”, so we can drive around them at 30 mph.
    Yeah….that’s the ticket.
    But really, 30 mph is way too slow. Even with chicanes.

  • Magpie February 17, 2011 (3:37 pm)

    I would think people would have figured it out by now. I saw the police last Thursday and yesterday.

    More power to them…but I do agree, leave Admiral for a week and work on 35th. The speeding on it is way worse than Admiral and there are a lot more cross streets!

  • westseattledood February 17, 2011 (3:44 pm)

    Not to beat a dying horse, but just to be fair and accurate. The 20 mph with a right arrow might be indicating the 20 mph Residential street limit signage on Belvidere south of Admiral. It seems to be the only street off Admiral with such signage. I don’t think there is a school right there though…could be wrong.

    And the only other speed limit sign EB is 30
    mph at the middle of the bridge.

  • westseattledood February 17, 2011 (3:56 pm)

    2 Wheels – I understand that it’s advisory. I just don’t understand why some choose to not take the advice. But, really, it’s between SPD Speed Patrols and the drivers who’ve been cautioned, been advised and been ticketed.

  • bikers4speed February 17, 2011 (4:01 pm)

    I’ll never forget the time I was biking down Admiral in the right lane, and as I was passing the car in the left lane, the passenger was glaring over at me, waving his middle finger for all to see… it was hilarious!

    Speeders will always speed, and should pay the consequences, but 30mph on that section of road is a joke… raise it back to 35mph!

  • SomeGuy February 17, 2011 (4:01 pm)

    51 stops and 61 tickets = you’re not talking your way out of this one, Mr Fancy B. Articulatin.

  • josh February 17, 2011 (4:15 pm)

    how do i always miss the fun? every time I go for a drive I hope to see all the vin diesels and paul walkers with their high-speed weaving through we annoying ‘speed-limit-doers’ pulled over, but to no avail. Who cares what the speed SHOULD be? Your personal preference doesn’t dictate the law.

    Oh, and I saw a motorcycle cop hiding amidst some shrubbery on admiral and lander this afternoon as well.

  • J242 February 17, 2011 (4:17 pm)

    I was so happy to see 4 SPD cars writing tickets to people in the bus lane at the bottom of the hill the other day. It’s about time they really crack down on people speeding on our hill! I just hope they start catching people heading UP the hill as well. I see people going 45, 50 even a 65 once on the check sign on the way up. It’s ridiculous and I’m glad the jerk drivers are getting caught for driving like jerks.

  • NoseyWSer February 17, 2011 (4:30 pm)

    I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again – the enforcement of these so-called “aggressive speeders” you all are so in favor of should really be happening NOT at the hill but farther up on Admiral. I ROUTINELY watch drivers speed excessively between 41st Ave SW and 37th Ave SW. Never see any police presence there.

  • ConcernedCitizenR February 17, 2011 (4:40 pm)

    I agree 30 is just fine for Admiral Hill!!!

    But I agree with the person who said “Get them (the police) back over to 35th!!!! This am I had a woman pass me going down the Hill (Myrtle SW and down) the speed sign flashed 56 miles an hour!! I thought someone was chasing her, but no she was just in a hurry!!! This happens quite often! Scary!!!

  • Operator February 17, 2011 (4:53 pm)

    I’m an officer for a small department down south, and I can tell you that no one in my department gets money, a day off, or a pat on the back for writing tickets…it’s the job. Another thing to think about is, many times the person being pulled over has a history of doing the same thing.

  • Born To Be Mild February 17, 2011 (4:57 pm)

    The reason why the speed limit should be 35 is to make it consistent with Fauntleroy, Delridge, and 35th.

  • Bingo Bob February 17, 2011 (5:01 pm)

    I like doing 55 UP the hill. Get out the left lane people, I’m trying to get to Met Mart to get the last $250.00 bottle of balsamic vinegar!!

    No, really. Get the #$@%! out of the left lane, you too, Oregon plates.

  • Michael February 17, 2011 (5:09 pm)

    WSB: southbound is down a steep hill, which is no less difficult to keep a slow speed on. An automatic transmission requires application of brakes in order to not speed up.
    No less cha-CHING-creating.
    .
    Let me ask YOU a question, WSB: have you ever found yourself over the speed limit on that section of Admiral? Be honest.

  • J February 17, 2011 (5:17 pm)

    I would venture to bet that the folks that are complaining about the SPD busting speeders are the same folks who are complaining about the red light cameras. Why are people getting so upset and riled up about incurring consequences for breaking the law?? And if you’re not breaking the law, what are you worried and complaining about??? If you don’t enforce rules and laws what is the point in having them? Without rules and laws society would be even more messed up than it already is.. WAY more messed up! Kudos our our law enforcement professionals for doing what they can to keep our city a safer place.

  • Dale February 17, 2011 (5:24 pm)

    Good work folks. We need to stand together while these people stand alone. Nip it in the bud!

  • J242 February 17, 2011 (5:51 pm)

    “Why are people getting so upset and riled up about incurring consequences for breaking the law?? And if you’re not breaking the law, what are you worried and complaining about???”

    J, I agree whole-heartedly…

    These weak excuses of “It’s hard NOT to speed” and such are weak and lame. Michael, just because you may speed doesn’t make it acceptable. Also, I drive a manual and use my brakes while coasting in neutral down the hill. Haven’t gotten a ticket because I don’t speed! If you need to get somewhere, plan ahead and take your time. Rocket science, this ain’t…

  • 2wheels a-go-go February 17, 2011 (5:52 pm)

    @Michael: Admiral Way is hardly “steep”. It’s about a 5 or 6% grade (i.e. 5 or 6 foot drop for every 100 feet of horizontal distance). The steepest streets in Seattle run in the 18 to 21% range.
    http://www.cityofseattle.net/transportation/steepest.htm
    .
    Even if Admiral Way was one of these really steep hills, it would be quite EASY to keep a slow speed on — simply apply the breaks. Duh. In my manual transmission car, I can simply put it in 3rd gear and take my foot off the gas, and it maintains a perfect 30mph going downhill.
    .
    And really? You have to apply the brakes going UPHILL in your automatic car?! You are either a troll, or a completely ignorant driver (or both).

  • Mean Dean February 17, 2011 (6:44 pm)

    Traffic cops are nothing but bill collectors. 30mph is ridiculous for that part of Admiral. Its all about getting your ca$h – which is now the main function of city government.

    Wouldn’t it be great if we had a few more beat cops in the neighborhood and a few less bill collectors.

  • Born To Be Mild February 17, 2011 (6:57 pm)

    I’m very concerned with anyone who gives the finger to a biker. If you’ll look carefully, some of those guys carry a golf club.
    Pro-tip: They don’t play golf.

  • Paul February 17, 2011 (7:04 pm)

    I think 30 is too slow. However, that’s what it is and that is what I will drive. I am glad they are busting the speeders

  • J242 February 17, 2011 (7:10 pm)

    “Traffic cops are nothing but bill collectors. 30mph is ridiculous for that part of Admiral. Its all about getting your ca$h – which is now the main function of city government.”

    Well Mean Dean, if the drunks I had to deal with last fall been going the speed limit then the person they collided with wouldn’t be dead now. It’s about public safety, not just ticket money and shame on you for not even taking into account the numerous deaths on that stretch caused by people speeding (especially around the viewpoint corner!)…

  • Wes February 17, 2011 (7:41 pm)

    It’s funny how these stories produce the speed relativist, “It’s 30 for you, but not for me.” It has been my experience that those complain have been those who have been caught before and are trying to justify it. I see this by schools all the time where it is posted 20 mph and people speed on through after dropping off their kids. A Stop sign really does mean stop, and so does a red light, but I guess only sometimes.

  • D. Wulkan February 17, 2011 (8:17 pm)

    There’s a lot of talk on this blog about people getting maimed and killed on Admiral because of the speed, but no one has cited evidence. You’d think this hill is the most dangerous stretch of road in Seattle. There have been some pretty dramatic crashes at night and other hours on Admiral–and alcohol was the cause. There was another fatal crash on Admiral a couple of years ago one morning and the glare of sunlight–or the lack of a signal, or bad street design, whatever you choose– but not speed, was the cause. I’d like someone to come forward and provide proof that cutting the limit from 35 to 30 has resulted in fewer deaths/injuries. Of course anyone can argue that if you cut the speed to 20, 10, then zero, there would be no deaths, but then you would not get to work, the market, or anywhere else. Can someone come forward with empirical evidence because all I see is lots of anecdotes that don’t seem to match up with the accidents that have been reported over the past 10 years in the local blogs/press….

  • redblack February 17, 2011 (8:38 pm)

    this is the funniest.
    .
    thread.
    .
    ever.
    .
    charles darwin would be proud.
    .
    someguy gets the win, with the fancy b articulatin comment.

  • JN February 17, 2011 (8:42 pm)

    I am so happy that the police are enforcing the speed limit! It really isn’t hard to stay at 30, people, and that IS what brakes are for, after all. Or are you just so lazy that you can’t even move your foot a few inches?

  • TMQ February 17, 2011 (8:50 pm)

    I’m hoping the guy with the ’75 Westport fire engine in his yard lobbies the city to park that bad boy midway down (or up) the Admiral hill in the middle of the street. Then people would say, “whoa, look out for the old fire engine,” and slow down. That would get 500 WSB comments in the first hour.

  • WestSide45 February 17, 2011 (9:25 pm)

    I drive a truck up (and down) the hill a couple times a week in the middle lane at 30 MPH. The turn at the top is banked wrong and could cause load shift if taken too fast, especially in the outside lane. You may make as many obscene gestures as you see fit, but I will drive in the correct lane for my cargo.
    So there . . .

  • yep! February 17, 2011 (9:51 pm)

    Okay people.. been driving for eleven years now. I only have one speeding ticket, it was in a school zone 28 in a 20 right.In a area i was not familar with. I disagree with the speed zone there, its to slow. Born and raised in west seattle. Its an open strech no crosswalks until the turn. MOre people are wrecking on that street because of the sun and the grading of that turn going up the hill while intoxicated. I feel sorry for the folks that live on that turn there needs to be a wall of some sort to protect the people walking. It needs to be 35 up and down the hill with reduce speeds just before the crosswalk and just before you get near the bottom of the hill.

  • yep! February 17, 2011 (9:58 pm)

    Oh yeah what about the other side of Admiral? There’s a school???? speeders like crazy!! Lets make since west seattle?

  • Mike February 17, 2011 (10:10 pm)

    Go get ’em. 30 mph is plenty fast.

  • speedracer February 17, 2011 (11:49 pm)

    I didn’t believe those speeds the cops quoted, so I just drove that hill……sure enough, I was wrong. I managed to hit 125 mph at the bottom of the hill. It was better than any carnival ride! The city should change the name to Admiral Speed Way, put bleachers along the roadside, sell beer and pizza to the spectators, get Discovery Channel to air it and have Larry the Cable Guy be the host!

  • Paul February 18, 2011 (12:30 am)

    how about a new law that we have to get out of our cars then push them up the hill, save gas and get a good workout

  • NotMe February 18, 2011 (12:34 am)

    Hey “yep!”… I wondered how long it would take for someone to mention that they lived in West Seattle their whole life… as though that mattered in some way.
    .
    Know what? I have lived here for only 10 years, but I can tell you that the signs say 30 mph and that’s the limit. It isn’t 35, it’s 30. Maybe it *should* be 35, but it isn’t 35, it’s 30. It may be easier to drive 35 down the hill, but the limit is 30, so hit the brakes a couple times.
    .
    How stupid is this to complain about the limit?

  • bob February 18, 2011 (9:23 am)

    stop whining about stupidity go fast cost money if you hit one if the fishponds that seattle calls potholes, you could kill somebody looking for a place to fish.

  • redblack February 18, 2011 (9:45 am)

    paul: ooh! me, too! me, too!
    .
    i heard mayor mcschwinn is proposing a law that we have to tow our cars up admiral hill with our bicycles!
    .
    :P

  • OP February 18, 2011 (10:55 am)

    While I find the Admiral speed limit of 30MPH to be utterly absurd and unrealistic to achieve unless one likes to ride the brakes down to the rotors, the speeds at which these people were caught are equally absurd. I’d say that for these folks the brakes were not even an option.

  • 2wheels a-go-go February 18, 2011 (10:59 am)

    New Godwin’s Law for Seattle: “As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Mayor McGinn forcing us all to ride bicycles approaches 1.”

  • redblack February 18, 2011 (11:42 am)

    2wheels: i was joking.
    .
    but the other part of godwin’s law says that once that comparison happens, the thread is over, and whoever makes that comparison automatically loses the argument.
    .
    we need a distinctive name for the new law, though…

  • mnb February 18, 2011 (11:46 am)

    I love the dubious and fanciful claims that people make to justify not obeying a simple law.

    “Riding the brakes down Admiral will wear the brakes to the rotors.”

    “I have to apply the brakes going uphill in my automatic transmission car to maintain 30mph.”

    “The cops are just out there to steal our money.”

    Have fun explaining your twisted logic to the ticketing officer or the judge.

  • Bill February 18, 2011 (12:13 pm)

    I think some people here may be misconstruing the comments of those of us who say the speed limit would be better at 35. That doesn’t mean we go above the speed limit, I know I don’t. But at the same time I can think the 30 mph limit is a little bit on the overly cautious side.

  • JAT February 18, 2011 (1:43 pm)

    redblack – I propose “The McSchwinn Corollary”

    Bill – we haven’t made it to a hundred comments yet, but I’m impressed with the legs this topic has for the third go around in recent weeks…

  • J242 February 18, 2011 (1:47 pm)

    mnb: “Have fun explaining your twisted logic to the ticketing officer or the judge.”

    Exactly… Driving that hill down and then up again daily for 6 years and I haven’t had any problems with my brakes and I take my car in for regular checkups. Perhaps it’s because with only gentle pressure on your brakes in short bursts instead of just keeping them down you won’t do much damage at all? Just a thought. lol

  • datamuse February 18, 2011 (2:03 pm)

    I second JAT’s proposal! :D

  • bg February 18, 2011 (5:26 pm)

    I don’t give a flying f, what people THINK the speed limit should be. the fact of the matter is that the speed limit is 30 mph! I will be the first to admit, I do maybe 35 down the hill, and I drive the hill every day, but if I get a ticket, I am not going to b*tch about it. You know why? Because I was speeding, and I got caught! No one’s fault but my own.

    So for all of you people who b*tch and whine about the speed limit being too slow, shut up and slow down! Oh and GET OFF MY ASS!!!

  • J242 February 18, 2011 (5:38 pm)

    bg: “Oh and GET OFF MY ASS!!!”

    Agreed!!! So many douchebags riding my rear bumper almost every time I drive up or down the hill it’s infuriating. If this was Alaska, each one of them would have bought me a new car by now from the 100% legal “Alaskan Brake Check” system. That isn’t legal here in Seattle though so I have to settle for tapping the brake and then lifting my hand up and gesturing for them to “back off” because I’m only willing to go around 34 down the hill at the most (following the flow of traffic only) and then I get flipped off for not speeding? WTF?

    Everyone needs to calm down and just drive the damned limit, regardless of what you think it “should” be, just follow what’s on display and stop whining about it you self-centered a-holes. That is, unless you want people like me forcing you to hit my car and pay for the damages (Brake check, hello?!) or be forced to re-route your path to a sub-street because I won’t let you cut me off and I also won’t let you then hang back and get behind me. If you drive like an ass, I’m going to treat you like one and if I see you gabbing on a cell phone WHILE you’re driving that way, I’m going to do so with extreme prejudice. Hang up the damned phone and pay attention to the road & it’s clearly designated speed limits you morons…

  • SaraJ February 18, 2011 (6:19 pm)

    From reading this comment thread, it’s now obvious to me that the readers of WSB are a bunch of old fogies who drive 25 mph and make driving around west seattle a horrible arduous process.

    Also I think it’s truly awful the SPD is targeting not only West Seattle, but the Admiral neighborhood. What is this, let’s ruin all of their driving records and get the $$$ any way we see fit?? My first thought upon seeing another one of these crackdowns was “Oh my gosh, they KEEP targeting one street in Seattle 3 weeks in a row?”
    And to anyone who thinks I’m just a bad driver who speeds all the time, I’ve never had a ticket in WS and I do drive around 35mph, because that’s NORMAL on that road.

    • WSB February 18, 2011 (6:27 pm)

      SaraJ – Before tarring the entirety of the reader population … please note that while this thread has for example 80 comments, which is toward the upper end of much-discussed stories, the vast majority of WSB readers (like all news sites) are lurkers. We’re currently averaging 31,000 pageviews a day and about 12,000 visitors. So you can make assumptions about the commenters if you want, but not the readership as a whole. – TR

  • Rower February 18, 2011 (6:21 pm)

    I just did the calculation. Based on an approximate distance of 3/4 mile which is roughly from the top of the hill to the bridge entrance you get the following…

    If you drive 5mph over the speed limit, you arrive at the top of the hill about 12.5 seconds faster than if you drive the speed limit.

    If you drive 10mph over the speed limit, you will arrive at the top of the hill about 22.5 seconds faster.

    Less time than most TV commercials! I would never put someone’s life at risk to skip a TV commercial, but apparently to many commenting on this blog, that 22 seconds makes such a difference to your life that you are willing complain and gripe as if this were the most important f’n thing going on.

    Drive the limit folks! It ain’t that hard.

  • J242 February 18, 2011 (6:43 pm)

    To SaraJ:

    ” What is this, let’s ruin all of their driving records and get the $$$ any way we see fit??”

    No, it’s “Hey, we know people are constantly speeding there so let’s send a message to try and make sure they slow down!”… If the PD’s coffers get a little better funded because of it, so be it! We’re talking about people who risk their lives every day and for people to be complaining because they get a ticket when they break the law is rubbish pure and simple.

    “My first thought upon seeing another one of these crackdowns was “Oh my gosh, they KEEP targeting one street in Seattle 3 weeks in a row?”

    They wouldn’t have to if people would get the hint and slow down. Did you pay ANY attention to the speeds they ticketed people for? Keep in mind that this wasn’t over a 24 hour period either, it was only set up for a few hours.

    By all means though, go ahead and keep complaining.

  • dlc February 18, 2011 (7:25 pm)

    I have lived in W.Seattle for 40 years. This is ridiculous. I go up Admiral everyday at 8:30 am and as soon as drivers pass the viewpoint they speed up, which is when they should really slow down. And going down, when we all reach WS freeway we go at least 50mph. No speed trap there because there is nowhere for the patrol cars to hide and pounce. So stupid. Go patrol on I-90 where every other driver is texting and swerving all over. Oh hey wait, a better idea, go patrol the speeders near the schools. I see them everyday.

  • carljr February 18, 2011 (8:47 pm)

    dlc,
    State Patrol handles I-90, not Seattle PD. The West Seattle Bridge is not a freeway. I see cops in school zones handing out tickets, just go down SW Roxbury from 35th around 8:30 some morning. You’ll see a cop down there all most everyday. Look up the legal definition of speed trap, it doesn’t apply to any street in Seattle.

  • NotMe February 19, 2011 (12:42 am)

    What does living here for 40 years do for your comment or the subject of this article? Nothing. It definitely does not make you an expert. But, I hope you keep going 50 when you are at the bottom. SPD was out there AGAIN this morning. I have seen them everyday this week, and it’s AWESOME. Know why? Because they keep getting people who don’t agree with the speed limit. I say keep doing it. You are starting to learn, though because people are definitely slowing down. You will get caught, dlc. You just keep going fast down that hill every day.
    .
    How dumb is it that after all the comments and all the people getting pulled over, people still don’t get it: the speed limit is 30. Not 35, it’s 30. Let me write that again… the speed limit is 30.

  • NotMe February 19, 2011 (12:43 am)

    30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30
    .
    Get it?

  • redblack February 19, 2011 (8:35 am)

    didn’t quite catch that, notme.
    .
    saraj, old fogies, huh? do you know how many times i’ve almost been plowed into at uncontrolled intersections because one of you hot-rod young whippersnappers in your newfangled horseless carriages with the “eye toons” playing too loud was too stupid – and going too fast to course-correct anyway – to know what to do?
    .
    i’m with j242: you will get brake-checked if you tailgate me, and – you know what? – i’m due for a new car anyway, and i’m insured. so next time you fail to yield when i have the right of way, i will plow into you.
    .
    and this thread is still funny.

  • J242 February 19, 2011 (9:40 am)

    Redblack, you rule… ;) I’m no old fogie either but I learned to drive in Alaska during the winter. You give people room, period. You have no idea how good or bad the vehicle person in front of you, behind you or even your own vehicle may be until you have to rely on it and it could cost lives.

    Tailgating should only be accepted when parked outside a football game! Just remember, after they hit you, make sure to say “A dog ran across the road and I didn’t want to hit it!” , they can’t prove you wrong and they have no way to possibly defend their obnoxiously dangerous driving habits. Everyone wins because they’ll be far less likely to tailgate anyone else in the future.

  • carljr February 19, 2011 (9:01 pm)

    How about all you complainers posting your home addresses so I can drive 20 to 30 mph over the speed limit through your neighborhoods.

    I wonder how long it would take before you called the police.

  • tab February 19, 2011 (9:43 pm)

    The drivers who ride onto and off of the Vashon/Southworth Ferry, along Fauntleroy Ave SW, need their own very special Aggresive Driver Response Team.

  • Eff the... February 20, 2011 (12:09 am)

    @J242: “eye-toons”? Lol, wow. Way to prove that you are 42 years old (or even 242!) and indeed, an old fogie.

    I just don’t understand why they are focusing on the speeders on this one (safe) street, when they need to be focusing elsewhere: What about all the stolen cars in West Seattle? Or how about the abandoned car that’s been sitting on my street (California) for 4 weeks now — which I HAVE reported, but evidently police have no time for??

    Funny how last year I parked a little too close to a stop sign and got a ticket overnight; now they’re spending all their energy on ruining West Seattlites’ driving records (and days, for that matter).

    • WSB February 20, 2011 (12:16 am)

      F The, where’s the abandoned car that has gone unhandled for 4 weeks? That sounds like a story if you can tell us where (and when you reported it) … Did you try the online report form? Just curious. Given that we recently heard a claim that somebody got ticketed for parking in front of their own house for 72 hours without moving the car, it sounds so unlikely that a month-long abandonee would be ignored … but anything’s possible.
      .
      https://web1.seattle.gov/police/AbandonedVehicles/Present/AbandonedVehicle.aspx

  • Sandra Bullock February 20, 2011 (12:12 am)

    @carljr – That is why you don’t get a place 20 feet from a freeway. Stupid idea.

    The speed limit is too low, and just because someone sells a house somewhere doesn’t make it a perfect spot to live.

  • Eff the... February 20, 2011 (12:15 am)

    @J242: “eye-toons”? Lol, wow. Way to prove that you are 42 years old (or even 242!) and indeed, an old fogie.

    I just don’t understand why they are focusing on the speeders on this one (safe) street, when they need to be focusing elsewhere: Who’s catching all the people stealing cars in West Seattle? Or how about the abandoned car that’s been sitting on my street (California) for 4 weeks now — which I HAVE reported, but evidently police have no time for??

    Funny how last year I parked a little too close to a stop sign and got a ticket overnight; now they’re spending all their energy on ruining West Seattlites’ driving records (and days, for that matter).

  • redblack February 20, 2011 (5:44 am)

    eff: i made the “eye toons” comment, not j242. you just proved my point. all you speed demon youngsters chugging your “afore locos” and “rolling on twenty-fours” need to slow down and maybe catch some of the important details from time to time! don’t make me take out my teeth and hit you with my walker.
    .
    cripes, kid. if you think 42 is old, you indeed, don’t know anything yet, and may not be qualified to hold a driver’s license. it sounds like you haven’t been hit – yet – by some moron who may or may not be insured, and who isn’t even qualified to operate a honda fit, let alone a giant pickup truck.
    .
    carl jr: yeah. sorry. they already do that on my street.
    .
    the speed limit on residential streets is 15 mph, people. you won’t feel so self-righteous and badass when you waste a toddler or an elderly person while trying to cut through a neighborhood to go around traffic.
    .
    just doing my job, here, trying to push this thread over 100 posts. eff cheated by double-posting. typical young hep cat speedster.

  • J242 February 20, 2011 (10:06 am)

    Thanks Redblack, I was just about to comment on that as apparently reading comprehension isn’t one of eff’s strong suits.

    Eff, I’m 31 so ummm, yeah. THere goes that argument as well.
    “Funny how last year I parked a little too close to a stop sign and got a ticket overnight; now they’re spending all their energy on ruining West Seattlites’
    driving record”

    Ummm, if a driver doesn’t want their record ruined there’s a very simple solution. DON’T BREAK THE LAWS!!! See how much easier that is than having a bad day and having your driving record ruined because you’re too self-important to follow traffic regulations and laws? If you consistently speed, you should have your license ruined because your driving poses a risk to everyone else around you. The limits are put in place for a reason. Don’t like it? Then go down California to Beach Drive where the limit is 35 instead of taking Admiral. It’s not as if there’s only one road to get to the bridge.

  • carljr February 20, 2011 (10:39 am)

    Sandra Bullock,
    You’re missing the point. Regardless where someone lives, they don’t deserve to have people driving 20 to 30 mph over the posted speed limit through their neighborhood!
    Those who do that are inconsiderate, self centered morons. Admiral Way is not a freeway.
    The point is that if someone drove that way through their neighborhood they would be crying to the police for enforcement!

    All arterial streets in the city of Seattle are 30 mph unless otherwise posted, residential streets are 25 mph unless otherwise posted.

  • james1 February 20, 2011 (10:53 am)

    Sandra Bull,
    “That is why you don’t get a place 20 feet from a freeway. Stupid idea.
    The speed limit is too low, and just because someone sells a house somewhere doesn’t make it a perfect spot to live.”

    Really? You can’t be serious. You want people speeding past your house just because they think the speed limit is too low?

    If you don’t like the speed limit than get SDOT to change it. Until then, drive the speed limit.

  • why? February 20, 2011 (11:07 am)

    Amazing, with all the crap going on in the world, this thread generates nearly 100 comments.

    What a goofy world we live in.

  • J242 February 21, 2011 (12:22 am)

    “Amazing, with all the crap going on in the world, this thread generates nearly 100 comments.”

    This isn’t a thread based on “All of the ills in the world”, it’s about the traffic tickets and car prowler crimes taking place in our neighborhoods and the PD’s responses. It only seems natural for comments to be based on the specific topic discussed in the article. If you want to discuss a different topic, comment on the appropriate article “why”… This isn’t rocket science.

  • Drunk Driver February 23, 2011 (3:41 am)

    I roll up and down that mofo everyday, 3rd gear downhill keeps me at around 30-35 without hitting my brakes. Think of your brakes! Ohh! and watch out for those folks popping out from Avalon while you’re thrusting your way up from Spokane. Let’s keep it safe my fellow neighbors.

Sorry, comment time is over.