West Seattle Crime Watch: Armed robbery starts in Roxhill Park, ends in Safeway

We just got details of an armed robbery on Sunday afternoon that started in Roxhill Park and ended at the nearby Safeway store. Thanks to the person who tipped us about it last night; they had heard about it secondhand but only knew about the part that happened at the supermarket, which is in unincorporated King County, so we contacted KC Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West for details. She says it happened around noon, and that the victim was “walking in the area of Roxhill Park when he was approached by … a lone black male on foot,” who “displayed a handgun and told the victim that if he did something wrong, he would shoot him.” The robber took the victim’s backpack and cash, Sgt. West says, but “told the victim he would give him his property back for $1,000.” So they went together to the ATM at the Shell station across Roxbury, but the victim couldn’t get money there, and they proceeded to the ATM inside Safeway. “There were other people waiting in line at the ATM so the victim yelled ‘he has a gun!’,” says Sgt. West, and with that, the robber ran away, “southbound.” He is described as around 18 years old, black, with a goatee, about 5’4″, 120 pounds, last seen wearing a black hooded jacket, camo pants, and “red basketball-type shoes.”

ClayJustSayin September 12, 2016 (11:22 am)

Not directly related to this story, does anyone out there know why there was a cluster of Seattle Police at 10th & Henderson, 4:30AM Friday morning?

Josh September 12, 2016 (12:30 pm)

Wow. Thank you for this news. Are you kidding me? Just walking through the park, daytime? This is ridiculous. Sadly, the park has become a place to stay away from since the buses came. I don’t even know what could prevent this. But certainly the neighborhood lost one more family (mine) on foot there. Horrible.

Brian September 12, 2016 (2:03 pm)

To place the “blame” for this crime on “the buses” is pretty short-sighted/myopic. It’s not mass transportation that’s causing this no matter how much you try to connect those dots.
Joe Szilagyi September 12, 2016 (3:50 pm)

Stop with the buses; there has been crime in Roxhill Park for ages before that bus terminal, and anyone who acts like Roxhill Park was some safe haven before that is making stuff up. I’ve heard from old timers that live around there decades of stories.
- Pops September 12, 2016 (4:20 pm)
  
  True but buses have made it worse/ haven’t helped. I kinda miss the busted up cars for sale for weeks on end, parked all along Barton.
- AMD September 12, 2016 (8:22 pm)
  
  Hear, hear.
  
  That place has been a problem as long as I’ve lived here.

Double Dub Resident September 12, 2016 (12:39 pm)

Seriously?! I’d wish this city would clean up the POS hanging out in this park. I took my daughter this weekend to the park for the 1st time. I actually stay away from this park and take my daughter to other places, but we decided to go there this weekend to check it out. For the most part, everyone seemed ok, but again, there were some shady people out of place there that I kept an eye on while we were there. I think I’ll go back to the other parks.

I go to work early in the morning and have seen a person by the bus stop fitting this description to even the camo pants a few times. One time he was with 3 other males (2 white and one black) at about 4:45 in the morning and they were all looking through one backpack, which I thought was suspect. The other times I have seen this guy at around the same time, these other same guys were with him. I have also seen them near the bathrooms at the park at around the same time, as I have seen others hanging out there. Actually, going to work at the time I do and seeing what I see on a daily basis makes me wish I could move. It just sucks seeing the Westwood area going in the direction it’s going. Of course, this seems to be happening everywhere now days.

I am going to report this information. This robbery happened in Roxhill park. Does King County strictly have this case or is there some kind of cooperation with Seattle police?

WSB September 12, 2016 (12:45 pm)

The SPD report map/tweets by beat have been down off and on for the past few days. I don’t see an incident on either right now. Didn’t know any part of it was in Seattle until after I heard back from Sgt. West.

Sunuva September 12, 2016 (1:05 pm)

Wow, that’s scary! I’m glad the victim was brave enough to yell out and glad nobody got shot. I visit that Safeway at least once a week and can’t imagine this happening in there. I’ll keep an eye out for anyone matching that description.

anonyme September 12, 2016 (1:31 pm)

I quit a job near Westwood Village mostly because I didn’t feel safe there any more. The Bloods have ‘owned’ Roxhill for a long time, and no – that’s not just speculation based on the fact that red is a really, really popular wardrobe choice in the area. Roxhill has become a junkie park run by gangs, and all the PC posturing in the world won’t change that. Can’t wait to see what happens with the Mayor’s new plan to allow camping on public property.

WSB September 12, 2016 (1:42 pm)

There are a variety of dueling plans and reports floating around now regarding how the city should/should not deal with people experiencing homelessness, including campers. The one that some say would open more public property to camping was advanced by advocacy groups and moved forward by the City Council last week, not the mayor. This is an op-ed piece but contains the basics. http://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/limiting-citys-ability-to-clear-homeless-camps-is-wrong-solution/
Seattlite September 12, 2016 (2:41 pm)

Anonyme — SPD cannot do much beyond what they are doing because of DOJ’s policies. It’s terrible that hard-working Westwood area residents are feeling unsafe. When this gang activity starts, it seems to have no end and spreads to other areas unless law enforcement is allowed to do their jobs. Seattle’s politicians are not doing their jobs by letting good Seattle/KingCounty areas go to seed.
- Joe Szilagyi September 12, 2016 (3:52 pm)
  
  “SPD cannot do much beyond what they are doing because of DOJ’s policies.”
  
  No, SPD can’t do much because they’re grossly understaffed relative to other cities with our population. We want more cops, it’ll cost more in taxes.
- Pops September 12, 2016 (4:14 pm)
  
  SPD can still do their job.
  - Joe Szilagyi September 12, 2016 (4:24 pm)
    
    With what? They have like 4-7 patrol cars per shift spread from the Alki tip to Arbor Heights to South Park, apparently.
- Pops September 12, 2016 (4:16 pm)
  
  But I agree, the city council/mayor doesn’t know what they are doing and haven’t for awhile.

anonyme September 12, 2016 (1:45 pm)

Thanks for the clarification. With so many solutions (sarcasm) flying back and forth, it’s hard to keep track.

Double Dub Resident September 12, 2016 (2:10 pm)

Reading that article has me fuming!! How inept is our city council to recommend essentially opening up our city parks to homeless camping?!! Are you bleeping serious?! How safe is that for our children?!

These council members need to be voted out ASAP with these continuous asinine decisions!

East Coast Cynic September 12, 2016 (9:35 pm)

I’m guessing the rationale for letting the homeless camp in the parks is that it beats them camping in your front yard? Your backyard? storefront doorways? Bigger broader institutional problems causing homelessness (which is a big problem in many cities across the country in addition to ours) may well be outside of the city’s capacity to handle so the best they can do within their means with public safety in mind is to isolate them in the park.

Josh September 12, 2016 (2:41 pm)

Brian, the bus situation there has brought in a lot of creepy activity. Just ask any business in Westwood. Further, ask any visitor of the park. Sorry, but true.

fitz September 12, 2016 (2:58 pm)

Brian… buses make it easier for the scum to get around. I live a block from that park and there are times when I consider cashing out and moving outside the city and then, I will be grateful the mayor and the city council don’t have the courage to address this growing problem. That will mean it stays concentrated in the city vs. bleeding out into the rest of King County.

The only solution I see is the Rudy G “zero tolerance” attitude that dramatically cleaned up NYC in the 90s. All my uber-left brothers and sisters are really uncomfortable being tough but it’s necessary to clean up the city. At some point, the city will get so bad that a “mean, nasty republican” runs and he/she will get elected.

Seattlite September 12, 2016 (3:17 pm)

Fitz — Your comment is right on the money. Seattle/KingCounty’s weak leadership is putting well-established neighborhoods’ residents in harms way by not cleaning up the gangs, criminals. People just want to be safe…can’t the Mayor and council understand that? Currently, West Seattle, in my experience, has become quite unsafe in some areas. I will not even go to a couple of the stores I used to go to because I don’t like walking from my car to the store…that is unacceptable.
- Where Is The West Seattle DMZ September 12, 2016 (4:30 pm)
  
  Where is this part of West Seattle crime-ridden enough that walking from the parking lot to the store is unsafe so I may also avoid it?

Double Dub Resident September 12, 2016 (4:40 pm)

@Pops maybe go talk with police officers about how they feel about being able to do their job. The DOJ has put in a hands off approach to many “petty crimes” and turned the SPD into a reactionary department. I speak with officers all the time ago speak about their frustrations on not being able to do their jobs

Pops September 12, 2016 (4:50 pm)

The context I was refering to was gangs and the armed robber in this story. SPD can still do their jobs in general they just can’t use excessive force/violate peoples rights which is the basis of the consent decree. If police aren’t working petty crimes it is because they chose to depolice and or they dont have the number of officers necessary. If you talk with police, you’ll just get their side of the story. Why would the DOJ want a city police dept to not investigate petty crimes? Makes no sense.
Seattlite September 12, 2016 (4:54 pm)

Double Dub Resident…Thanks for confirming my comment about DOJ’s backwards policies.

Pops September 12, 2016 (4:42 pm)

Definitely could use more officers.

Josh September 12, 2016 (4:47 pm)

Joe, there was never as many homeless people sleeping at the Roxhill bathrooms until the buses came (plus sleeping on the sidewalk along Barton). I’m not saying the buses were/are the cause, but it definitely has brought in more people, some of whom make the area VERY sketchy to walk through.

WSB September 12, 2016 (4:52 pm)

Semi-side note: One factor in the people sleeping outside: Did you know there are no general shelters in our area? There are a few small, specialized shelters, such as one with room for eight women experiencing homelessness, but otherwise the closest is downtown. This is one reason why King County is planning to open a 70-bed shelter in the old Public Health building next to the White Center Food Bank. We’ve reported on our other site White Center Now that a public meeting is planned this Thursday; today I talked with the county department head in charge of the project, and will be writing a detailed story this evening, with a crosslink here on WSB. – TR

Heather Nordlund September 12, 2016 (5:15 pm)

As a pregnant woman with a young child I feel like a sitting duck in roxhill park. I live in the neighborhood and want to support the local businesses but there are usually more sketchy folks than kids in that park.

Norman September 12, 2016 (5:32 pm)

I had no Idea that there were only 6-7 police cars, for all of West Seattle, that’s very concerning to me , that is not by far enough in this day and age.

JRR September 12, 2016 (5:36 pm)

Hey, maybe if all us well-intentioned neighbors used the park, we would run out the riff raff. The answer can’t be “stay home and lock your doors.”

Alisa September 12, 2016 (5:48 pm)

Not to burst anyone’s idea of what West Seattle is like, butThis park has been this way long before the shiny swing sets and skate park were put in place. It’s an open space with lots of places to hang out/ hide/ access to services, etc and improving home values or 3 Starbucks nearby doesn’t equate to safer neighborhoods/parks. I’m not sure how we can improve the issue, I’m just saying that this area has always be questionable.

Kadoo September 12, 2016 (7:04 pm)

If you don’t like the sound of Council Bill 118794 which would allow more tent/vehicle camping in parks and other areas, send an email to each city council member and the mayor. Tim Burgess is the only one on the council who opposes the bill. There has not been enough coverage on this issue, which makes me think the city just wants a back room deal without input from the public. Not only will this bill not solve homelessness, but the city will be subject to a $250 fine, payable to the displaced camper, if they don’t follow procedures for removal after 30 days. I’m not sure who ever thought camping was a good solution for a place like Seattle, but it’s not. Now is the time to comment; they are just starting work on this bill.

Double Dub Resident September 12, 2016 (8:31 pm)

@Joe,

If you don’t live in Westwood then you really have no place to tell its residents to stop it, with your arm chair criticisms from your neighborhood of what Westwood residents ‘ experiences are in their neighborhood.

I’ve lived in Westwood for almost 2 decades and have seen changes in Westwood that started with Nickelsville. My neighborhood was fairly quiet up until then, but then I started experiencing beer cans and alcohol bottles in my yard. People started walking up and down the street yelling and fighting with each other and neighbors started reporting a dramatic rise in petty crime. This is also about the time I started noticing pan handling at the Westwood Village entrances /exits. Even when Nickelsville left, the remnants remained.

The introduction of the bus stops only exacerbated this situation. And as pointed out, go talk to the Westwood businesses about crime there now. For example, I cannot even count how many times I have been to QFC since the busses were put in to see the police arresting a shoplifter or someone threatening customers or an employee. It got so bad for Rite Aid, they got their own security, and recently at QFC I even saw an armed security guard working there, which when I spoke with him about it, he said was only temporary.

The sketchy crowd that loitered QFC got so bad that I asked them if they could do something about it, and they actually did. They boarded up the pay phones and put the shopping carts in the way. Which BTW was another thing I started to see in my yard when Nickelsville came to town.

I drive to work between 4:30 and 5 am through Westwood and it HAS gotten worse. Come on down, take the tour and check it out for yourself.

No one is claiming that everything was just hunky dory at Roxhill before the busses were put in, only that it has gotten worse since they have.

Double Dub Resident September 12, 2016 (8:33 pm)

@Pops,

If I have time tomorrow I’ll reply to your reply

Junction Lady September 12, 2016 (8:57 pm)

NYC began its turn-around of Times Square with Mayor Ed Koch and then subsequent leaders and police continue to maintain the policies. We should learn from their examples. If we don’t assist the homeless, mentally ill and drug addicted to move in a healthy/positive direction we are sadly looking at Hoovervilles in any public space the leaders of this town allow to occupy. I have written to Mayor Murray and Robert Nellums, SCC, regarding the sorry state of our city; from their replies they clearly don’t understand my point of view.

dairmuid September 12, 2016 (9:05 pm)

Re: police cars on 10th and Henderson

I heard a cluster of gun shots in the middle of the night which was probably related to that (I’m a block away from there). One of my neighbors told me that last night he heard a scuffle, a guy get into his car and drive away and 3 guys chase after him in another car. Not sure if they’re related, but they probably are…

furor scribendi September 12, 2016 (9:43 pm)

I’ve lived within spitting distance of Roxhill Park for over twenty-eight years, and while it used to be a treeless playground for good and not good activity, the reforestation in the late 90’s to early 00’s made it more attractive to lovers of crime: shoplifters, addicts, the unfortunate homeless, and a murder or two. Adding the bus stop made it Grand Central for anyone looking to shop (crossing Barton) or to score (turning into the park) and the Great Wall of Buses further insulates the park from necessary scrutiny or use by innocent park users. This has been a gradual situation; it’s not the buses fault, but the buses contribute enough unintended consequences to make the whole situation much more difficult on the neighborhood. It will take good research, planning, community involvement, and taking decisionmakers to task to solve, and not more mud slinging folks.

Josh September 13, 2016 (6:43 am)

Right on!

This was middle of the day, a Sunday, in broad daylight! Somebody walking with a backpack gets victimized with a gun! How much more serious can it get? I understand “don’t walk by the park after dark” etc., which as Fall/Winter approaches is 5pm on. But this is a whole new level of having our neighborhood taken away.

S September 13, 2016 (2:50 pm)

I never take my kids to that park unless I have my gun with me. The easy solution is not to go there, but it’s my kids favorite park and when we drive by it all the time its hard to tell him no we cannot go.