West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(Photo courtesy of Amanda)
The SWAT standoff that shut down three blocks of Delridge through the morning commute today started with an incident at Camp Long late Thursday night that raised additional questions today. Jena, who was camping in the park’s cabins with a group of 4-to-7-year-old children, voiced detailed concerns in this comment following our original coverage, so we followed up with the Parks Department.
First, we should note that the 20-year-old man police were seeking at the home in the 5000 block of Delridge – until he turned up instead at the Southwest Precinct – remains in jail as of last check, under investigation for two felonies, domestic-violence assault and domestic-violence harassment. Police say he threatened his girlfriend with a gun.
Now, to Camp Long. Parks spokesperson Joelle Hammerstad answered our inquiries about what commenter Jena reported, including, in part, “Around 11:30 pm a huge party broke out in cabin 8, loud music, drugs and alcohol, and a young man started punching out the windows of the North bathrooms, fifty feet from our cabins (9 & 10).” First – we asked about damage from the window-breaking report and whether the reported party had led to cabin damage. Hammerstad’s reply: “The cabins are fine and do not have any damage. Four windows are broken in the men’s bathroom, but that is not affecting their use. They are more like ventilation windows over six feet off the ground.” To the more complicated issues Jena raised regarding security and communication – read on:Read More
The Admiral Neighborhood Association is asking local businesses to answer a quick survey to help gauge the priorities and state of the local business community – as first reported here Tuesday – and they’re looking forward to having responses in by 5 pm tomorrow. If you have a question about the survey or need the link, which they are not publishing publicly but will provide by e-mail (it was in a letter sent to 120+ local businesses), send a note to info@admiralneighborhood.org.
Two wonderful bird photos to share this Friday night, thanks to WSB’ers – top, from Liz, who writes:
It’s fledgling time and we’ve been seeing lots of bird families at the feeders, but it was a special treat to see our pileated woodpecker bring her chick to the yard (near Schmitz Park). It’s a good time to remind people that the baby birds they find are still being cared for by their parents and are best left alone.
She included this link for more on that. Meantime, wildlife photographer/watcher Trileigh Tucker, who has shared so many rare sights, sent this scene:
Trileigh explains:
… I took some out-of-town friends on a walk to show them our amazing Lincoln Park, and was delighted to hear the Barred Owls’ typical “who-COOKS-for-you?” call. Then when we tiptoed into a sequoia grove, we found our two resident Lincoln Park lovers “sittin’ in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g” … I guess when there are no babies to worry about, they can get back to romance!
A few things we wanted to remind you about:
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
AIRSTREAM ART SHOW: Forgot to re-mention this one in the morning preview! Tonight’s the night for Brenda Scallon‘s “gallery in an Airstream trailer” show, 7-10 pm at 4815 46th SW. WSB’s Christopher Boffoli previewed it here.
(WSB photo from July 2010)
1ST WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIE TOMORROW: “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is the kickoff movie of the season for West Seattle Outdoor Movies in the courtyard by Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), 4410 California SW, dusk Saturdays. Bring your own chair/blanket – we suggest staking your spot out earlier, it can get crowded! as our photo proves. Movie and preshow entertainment = FREE; bring a few dollars for raffle/concessions benefiting nonprofits.
(Photo from “Garden Tour Sneak Peek” on WSGT Facebook page)
WEST SEATTLE GARDEN TOUR ON SUNDAY: Got your WS Garden Tour ticket yet? 10 gardens, 1 lecture on Sunday all included, plus coupons that’ll save you money at local businesses. Here’s how to get tickets; proceeds benefit these local nonprofits.
TWO POLITICAL NOTES – SATURDAY BASEBALL, THURSDAY FORUM: Incumbents vs. challengers! The 34th District Democrats‘ big softball game happens at 4:30 tomorrow, as part of their annual picnic at Lincoln Park. Flyer here. And since we’re moderating next Thursday’s West Seattle Chamber of Commerce-organized forum on Seattle Referendum 1 (tunnel-related), we’ll be reminding you about it daily – 6 pm Thursday at West Seattle High School Theater, with two reps each from the “approve” and “reject” sides.
(Coronation video, added 3:56 pm)
Hiawatha Kids’ Fun Fest continues till 3 pm – but a big event that’s always part of it wrapped up about an hour ago: The West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival Junior Court Coronation. Congratulations to Queen Thea Pulido, Princess Amanda Elder, and Princess Elena Kline. Click ahead for photos!Read More
A proposal for “rechannelization” of SW Alaska between The Triangle and The Junction first came up back in February (we featured it in this story) – taking away some street parking, and cutting down on car-travel lanes, while adding a bike lane from Fauntleroy to west of 41st SW. It has only been discussed once in public since then – at a recent Southwest District Council meeting – but now SDOT is officially asking for public comment:
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has developed plans to re-channelize SW Alaska Street between California Avenue and 35th Avenue to support the planned RapidRide C Line which is scheduled to begin service in fall 2012. SDOT is proposing to make the following changes to SW Alaska Street:
· Install a westbound left turn pocket at California Avenue and SW Alaska Street
· Install an eastbound left turn pocket at 42nd Avenue SW and SW Alaska Street
· Install an eastbound business access and transit Lane (BAT) between 42nd Avenue SW and 40th Avenue SW
· Install a westbound BAT between Fauntleroy Avenue and 42nd Avenue SW
· Install a westbound bicycle lane between Fauntleroy Way and approximately 30 feet west of 41st Avenue SW
· Remove parking on the north side of SW Alaska Street between California Avenue SW and 41st Avenue SWSDOT INVITES PUBLIC COMMENT UP TO JULY 31, 2011
Jonathan Dong
Email: jonathan.dong@seattle.gov
Phone: (206) 233-8564
The proposal is laid out on this city webpage, with some diagrams laid over aerial shots of the streets.
(WSB photo from May 2009, KaBOOM! Delridge design meeting)
Two years ago, Delridge got a new playground thanks to the nonprofit KaBOOM! Now, another West Seattle neighborhood is getting one – High Point. They’ve been trying for a while, and now Bataan Park has been chosen, according to news shared by High Point Neighborhood Association‘s Jennifer Cobb. The playground will be built on September 23rd – but first, it has to be designed, and as was the case with Delridge, there will be a “Design Day” for kids. It’s set for next Tuesday, July 19th, at the Neighborhood House-operated High Point Neighborhood Center. It’s estimated that this playground will serve more than 500 kids in the High Point area. The event will be ongoing from 4:30-7:30 pm on Tuesday; the center is at 6400 Sylvan Way SW. Partners in the playground project include the Windermere Foundation.
Big day for transportation news. One more story in the pipe after this, but first, a couple Alaskan Way Viaduct notes: The new “multi-use trail” for bicycles/pedestrians/etc. officially opens Monday morning at 5 am. WSDOT’s announcement has an invitation for people who plan to use it: “Come celebrate with us on the north end of the trail near S. King Street during Monday’s morning and evening commute, 6:30 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. We’re looking forward to meeting you!” … Second note, the next scheduled closure is two weeks away, 5:30 pm July 30th through 5 am August 1st, starting with the Seafair Torchlight Run – details here.
Because of state budget cuts, state troopers/cadets will no longer be helping direct traffic at the Fauntleroy ferry terminal as of this Sunday, according to a news release that just arrived. Read on for the details:Read More
(Diaper drive at C & P – photo courtesy WestSide Baby)
Delayed edition of the daily highlights because of this morning’s breaking news. From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
DIAPER DRIVE RIGHT NOW! Till noon, C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) and Windermere West Seattle Realtors Desiree Loughlin, Sandra Merkin and Kelly Malloy are co-sponsoring a Special Diaper Drive and Coffee Break to benefit WestSide Baby! Free coffee/lemonade if you bring a package of diapers (5612 California SW). If you can’t make it to this one – here are other upcoming diaper drives, including Stuff The Bus day on July 24th.
KIDS’ FUN FEST: At Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California SW) – hours of fun at Fun Fest which will feature carnival games, bouncy toys, refreshments, a dunk tank, children’s entertainment, face painting, and more. Noon-3 pm, $5 for a bracelet or 25 cents a ticket.
WEST SEATTLE HI-YU JUNIOR COURT CORONATION: On the east lawn of Hiawatha during Kids’ Fun Fest, 1 pm.
STORY TELLING: At the White Center Cultural Center (9421 18th Avenue SW), 5:30 pm – open date for Somali storytelling by Mohamed Hassan.
RIVER CELEBRATION: Reiki Fellowship Barbecue Celebration of the Duwamish River at Duwamish Waterway Park from 6-7 pm. Bring something to throw on the grill and enjoy the community of like-minded friends as we come together to honor the river and all its life.
SKATING PARTY: White Center Jubilee Days Retro Roller Skating Party, 7:30 pm to 11 pm, Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). More atJubileeDays.org
MOVIE NIGHT: Movie Night at Highland Park Improvement Club (1116 SW Holden). Doors open at 6:30 pm, movie at 7pm, *Free admission* Movie hint: Hayley Mills plays twins in this 1961 summer camp classic.
(12:55 PM: Just followed up with police – the man they were seeking has been booked into jail).
(Photo substituted 9:30 am – courtesy of Amanda – not added till incident was announced as over)
5:48 AM: On our way to Delridge/Hudson (map), where multiple tips say SWAT/police situation has blocked the road.
6:03 AM: From the scene – Delridge is blocked between Hudson and Edmunds. Metro says the 120 is affected by this – use the stops at Delridge/Oregon or Delridge/Brandon. E-mails say police have been there for a while, using a bullhorn to get someone to come out.
6:25 AM: Per SPD Blotter, this is a domestic-violence situation – it traces back to a search at Camp Long that we had heard on the scanner for a while around midnight last night:
On July 14th at approximately 11:38 p.m. officers responded to a campground in the 5200 block of 35th Avenue SW for a report of a domestic disturbance between a boyfriend and girlfriend. The suspect, a 20-year-old male, threatened his girlfriend with a gun. The victim was not injured and no shots were fired. The suspect fled the scene prior to the arrival of responding officers.
Officers continued to search for the suspect and information developed during the course of their investigation led them to the suspect’s residence in the 5000 block of Delridge Way SW. Officers surrounded the residence and subsequently saw the suspect through a window in the house however, the suspect refused to come outside and surrender to officers.
The SWAT team and negotiators were called to the scene and thus far negotiators have been unable to get the suspect to come outside. Three other adult males believed to be roommates of the suspect have come out and were all interviewed and released. There may be one other roommate still inside the house with the suspect.
This incident is ongoing and we are trying to come to a peaceful resolution.
6:52 AM: If you are in the area and hearing what you think are gunshots – they are noisemaking devices police use at scenes like this. (Somebody who heard them reported them to police as “fireworks.”)
8:05 AM: No change. Delridge still blocked from Edmunds to Hudson. 120 bus detouring. All as mentioned above. We will have someone on scene till it’s over, so as soon as there’s a change, we’ll update here as well as via Facebook and Twitter. Also, as noted in comments, thanks to those who have sent photos – we honor the police’s request not to show SWAT officers’ positions during standoffs so the photos we’ve received so far (aside from ours, above, showing roadblock spots) will be held till this has safely ended.
8:45 AM: No change. We’re staked out with two TV crews. Photo added above, shot earlier. Traffic still detouring down 25th and 26th SW, and it’s a tight squeeze.
9:27 AM: Situation over. The suspect somehow got out of the house and turned himself in at the Southwest Precinct (roughly a mile south), at the behest of his mother, according to SPD Det. Mark Jamieson. Delridge will be reopening shortly. We’ll add video of briefing once we’re back at HQ.
9:50 AM: Delridge is now fully open again. Northbound reopened before southbound, but the roadblock at the latter JUST cleared.
10:35 AM: The briefing video from an hour ago:
Afterward, scanner traffic indicated police found at least two guns in the house. We will check back later with police to see if anyone related to all this was actually arrested – as Det. Jamieson mentioned, roommates were brought out for questioning.
12:55 PM: SPD’s Det. Jamieson says the man they were seeking has indeed been booked into jail, for investigation of felony domestic violence harassment and assault. He does not know yet if anyone else related to the case was placed under arrest.
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