From Tuesday night’s meeting of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council, last one until September: With “emphasis patrols” out, burglaries, car prowls, and car thefts have continued at relatively low levels in West Seattle this past month. Currently, according to Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Pierre Davis, this area is averaging 12 car prowls and 9 residential burglaries a week (last week, he said, there were 8). The “emphasis patrols,” according to Lt. Davis, have been in areas that had been hit hard by burglars/car prowlers late last year, and as the seasons change, so will the areas where police are focused – Alki, for example, needs extra attention this time of year.

In Q/A, a question about graffiti led to a vigorous discussion:

Lt. Davis did not have statistics on hand regarding the number of reports – he said that would require some research. But he noted that graffiti/tagging vandalism is handled in a variety of ways – Seattle Public Schools handling their property, city departments such as Parks handling their property, and private property owners accountable for cleaning up their property. A few spots of ongoing concern were brought up by attendees, such as the vacant houses on the site of the future Vesseliye development (our report from earlier this month was brought up – it includes a photo), and the 5-years-vacant Chuck and Sally’s Tavern at California/Graham. (The city has a “graffiti nuisance” law requiring property owners to remove graffiti after a specified time – the ordinance is here.)

One more topline from the meeting: WSCPC president Richard Miller would like to hear from anyone with safety concerns about bus stops; he says he’s working with Metro on a tour of stops that seem problematic. (westseattlecpc@gmail.com)

WSCPC plans to resume regular meetings in September, second Tuesdays, 7 pm, SW Precinct. In the meantime, sign your block up for Night Out (August 7th), and keep an eye out for more details on this year’s Picnic at the Precinct (August 11th).