2 big Southwest Precinct events: Benjamin Kinlow farewell; Chamber lunch

March 10, 2011 6:43 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Two special events in two days at the Southwest Precinct meeting room – most recently, this afternoon:

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
After more than 36 years, this is the last week on the job for Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow (who announced his retirement plans two months ago – here’s our original report). This afternoon, an informal coffee-and-cake party at the precinct was led by Community Police Team Officer Kevin McDaniel, above with Kinlow, paying tribute as he got ready to move on to the next chapter. Christopher Boffoli was there for WSB, and reports that Kinlow said, “I want to say that it is really wonderful to have served the City and the citizens of Seattle and it has just been something that I have enjoyed doing, over and over again. Any time I could be of service to the people and help them resolve problems, to make their neighborhood safer, to make their homes safer, it has been my joy. That’s what really has kept me going. … I hope that what I’ve worked on will continue to live on and the neighborhoods will continue to be safe. And maybe I’ll have played a small part in making that happen.” Members of his family were there to celebrate him, too – here’s brother Joel Kinlow with him and Officer McDaniel:

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
From Officer McDaniel: “He brought a passion to crime prevention that everyone grew to rely on and trust. … Benjamin has served in this position longer than any other crime prevention coordinator in the City. He has attended countless meetings and has established a strong web of block watches throughout the City. He has created relationships between the police department and the community that have reduced crimes in problem areas and have improved the lives of citizens in those areas. … The delivery of respectful professionalism and dependable service to the community was Benjamin’s trademark and top priority in serving the community. The Seattle Police Department couldn’t be more proud to have a person of Benjamin’s level of caring, professionalism and high moral fortitude representing our precinct and our department overall.”

So what’s next for crime-prevention efforts beyond what the on-the-street police routinely do? That’s one of the topics addressed at the other special event at SW Precinct:

(Lt. Pierre Davis, with West Seattle Chamber board chair Dave Montoure and Tom’s Automotive manager Kandie Jennings looking on)
The precinct’s operations Lt. Pierre Davis – second in command – spoke to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday during its monthly lunch meeting. Lt. Davis promised a plan would be unveiled soon regarding how crime prevention will be handled without a dedicated coordinator on site. The precinct already has been working more closely with civilian volunteers including the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network. And he had lavish words of praise for citizen crime-combating efforts of all kinds – from Block Watch to businesses banding together, to WSB readers. “You guys have augmented what we have [police-wise] out there,” Lt. Davis told the lunch attendees. “You guys are something else.”

More than 40 people attended the meeting, which is held at the precinct once a year so that business and police reps can get to know each other better. Chamber board chair Dave Montoure of West 5 emceed the meeting; Chamber CEO Patti Mullen suggested to those on hand that they get involved with the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council, as well as with whatever efforts are under way in their own business district(s). Kandie Jennings from Tom’s Automotive Service (WSB sponsor) mentioned their efforts to keep their part of The Triangle graffiti-free – she says she’s out there with a paintbrush so often, she always wonders if someone someday will report here as a suspected graffiti vandal!

And Lt. Davis said there’s more to come regarding how the department will work with the community – with key players being three of the officers who were on hand for part of the event along with him, Community Police Team Officers Kevin McDaniel, Jonathan Kiehn and Ken Mazzuca.

He was asked about gang activity and said it’s not that common in West Seattle, nothing like it was in its ’80s hey day “when we had gangs roaming around, 30 to 40 deep.” Youth substance-abuse activist Renae Gaines cautioned that just because it’s not seen, doesn’t mean it’s not happening – same goes, she said, for her area of emphasis, drug and alcohol abuse among West Seattle teens.

(Next big event for the West Seattle Chamber, as reported here yesterday, is the annual Awards Breakfast, April 6th at Salty’s on Alki – which also is being honored as Business of the Year.)

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