WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Six reports, from Admiral hit-run to Puget Ridge smoke-break prowler

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports and four police reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:

HIT-AND-RUN: That’s Tom‘s car, after a hit-and-run driver damaged it this afternoon:

Somebody hit my car on 42nd just South of Admiral Way while it was parked on the street. Parking location was just East of Jack in the Box on the West side of the road. Was parked there from 3:30-5 in case somebody in the area saw something. No note or anything like that was left.

We don’t yet have the police incident #.

PACKAGE THEFT: Received from Jesse just a few minutes ago:

I had a package stolen today between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm (in the 6000 block of) Fauntleroy Way SW. Unfortunately I was moving my camera system around so I did not catch the thief! I came back home around 10:30 tonight and thrown against my gate was my open box but inside was what I assume is somebody else’s item.

On to the police-report files, where we found four narratives of interest, now available from incidents in the past week:

ROAD RAGE ON 35TH: Around 8 am last Friday (May 18th), police were called to 35th/Webster after a driver called police to say he was the victim of a road-rage incident and threatened with a gun. He said it started when the suspect almost hit his car while changing lanes on 35th just north of Morgan. The victim honked; “words” were exchanged, and then, the victim said, the suspect tried to get him to pull over, but he continued on to Webster. The suspect apparently followed him, and drove by after the victim parked, showing a handgun and saying, “I’ll shoot your a–.” He was last seen southbound on 34th.

PURSE-SNATCHING TARGET FIGHTS BACK: Last Wednesday just before 2 pm, at Admiral/California, a woman told police, she was sitting on a bench, charging her phone, when a man came up and asked if he could use it. She said no. He then grabbed her purse, which was on the bench; they struggled over it – she retained it, though he grabbed $27 out of it. He also grabbed her phone out of her hand and ran; she chased him. The police report continues, “As they were running, she punched him in the back of the head, causing him to stumble.” She then grabbed her phone back. He got away with the cash.

MORGAN JUNCTION BURGLARY: Also last Wednesday, police were called to an apartment in the 6300 block of 42nd SW after the tenant’s daughter discovered it in “disarray” while her mom was away getting health care. Items stolen, according to the police report, included a handgun, medications, mail, a bicycle, and a “key to (a) car which was also stolen from the street.” Security video showed the burglar had broken in around 5 am that morning. He also left another bicycle in the courtyard.

PUGET RIDGE PROWLER: Busy afternoon last Wednesday for police, who also got a call about a prowler at a house in the 6700 block of 21st SW around quarter till 5. The resident wasn’t home but saw the prowler via a live video feed. The feed showed the prowler, who was smoking, had gone into the back yard and sat down. He was gone when police arrived but they found a cigarette butt and a “Now and Later” candy wrapper.

John May 24, 2018 (9:40 am)

MORGAN JUNCTION BURGLARYHandgun stolen? Was it properly stored, locked up?Handgun owners should be held responsible for handguns not properly secured whether at home , in a vehicle or anywhere else. At least this one was reported.

P May 24, 2018 (9:56 am)

Not sure if sarcasm? How is a handgun in a locked house not considered locked up? If the person who presumably stole the car ends up hitting someone with it, can we ask if their car key was properly stored and locked up? Car owners should be held responsible for car keys not properly secured.
- Maury May 24, 2018 (11:30 am)
  
  Not at all the same my argumentative friend. Unless a weapon is being used, it should be locked up where people like this can’t get to it. Now we have an armed criminal.
  - P May 24, 2018 (11:54 am)
    
    Yet it was locked up, in the apartment. This is victim blaming at its finest, but normally gets a pass because it’s a firearm. Hence my example about the car. Criminal causes property damage and/or injury to someone with a stolen vehicle, shame on them. Criminal shoots someone with a stolen gun, shame on the law abiding gun owner.There is also an assumption on yours and OPs end that this gun wasn’t locked up. A handgun safe is just as easy to steal as anything else. Once stolen the criminal has all the time in the world to open it elsewhere. As far as locking up a firearm when not in use, well that defeats the whole point of a home defense weapon, assuming that was the purpose of the weapon.
    - John May 25, 2018 (2:05 pm)
      
      P writes, “As far as locking up a firearm when not in use, well that defeats the whole point of a home defense weapon.” This is wrong as shown in the situation that Rebekah relays in this thread. She would have plenty of time to retrieve and load a weapon securely stored.Also P’s claim that, “A handgun safe is just as easy to steal as anything else” is clearly false when compared to cash, jewels, cell phones and handguns left out!
    - P May 25, 2018 (3:27 pm)
      
      One situation does not prove that it works for all situations. Also, I think we’re on the wrong page when it comes to safes. I believe that you are under the assumption that people are going to be storing handguns in $500+ bolted down safes. I would imagine if anything, you’re more likely to find handguns stored in something likes this. Not saying 100% of the time, but if it is stored in anything close to that, a smash and grab thief is more than likely going to take it if they find it.
    - John May 25, 2018 (6:34 pm)
      
      I clicked on P’s example to find a $25 item that is not even intended for use as a home handgun safe. “The case is designed to hold a wallet, credit cards, cell phone or handgun for license holders. The slim design easily slides under your car seat, into your briefcase or between your luggage. “Even so, this cheap travel case does feature burglar resistant cable that would at least slow and maybe deter a home burglar as it would require special cable cutting dikes which burglars know police to consider a thief’s tool akin to master key rings. I wonder if P is being simply disingenuous or again did not read the description of his suggestion?Features included steel cable to secure body of case (1500 lb test)
    - P May 25, 2018 (7:00 pm)
      
      It was meant to be a visual aid, as most lockboxes are of similar size. This lockbox is meant to secure your weapon, which is what you’re asking for. Your expectations that everyone buy a fully secure, bolt down safe (quality ones starting well over $400) are unrealistic. If you can find statistics that the cheaper, stack-on safes are an effective deterrent, I am all ears.
    - heartless May 25, 2018 (7:32 pm)
      
      I learned some time ago that cereal boxes are a great place to keep your gun (or valuables you fear getting stolen).
      
      Thieves will almost never search the pantry*. Obviously if it’s a gun you keep it on a higher shelf, away from curious kids, but other than that it’s a simple and straightforward way to really decrease the odds of your gun getting stolen.
      
      So not even getting into the cost of a safe, which can’t be that expensive for a handgun or two (my guess is $50-$100), there are other ways to deter a theft.
      
      *Any thieves who may be reading, please disregard that part & please leave my pantry alone.
    - John May 25, 2018 (9:13 pm)
      
      A visual aid, really? Wrong again P. Claiming bolt down safe start at $400. There numerous bolt down biometric handgun SAFES (not cases designed for travel security) that are less than $200. Your example is not meant to illustrate securing a weapon, just your false argument.Responding with such disingenous claims repeatedly tarnishes your other claims.Anyone who can afford the gun, ammo and training for responsible handgun ownership, can certainly afford their safe storage, even if only a cereal box.
- John May 24, 2018 (11:55 am)
  
  No sarcasm intended.But P makes a grossly false and tired analogy.A handgun is designed, sold and purchased to kill humans.A car is designed, sold and purchased for transportation, not killing. Cars have keys, the NRA makes certain that guns don’t.Statistics prove an unsecured handgun inside a home leads to accidental death, successful suicide and being stolen as this one. After being stolen it is far more likely to be used lethally in illegal activity.If you choose to own a handgun you are accepting the fact that most likely it will not be used for its legally protected intention.If a handgun is kept in a gun safe, it is unlikely to be accessed by smash and grab burglars who are in a hurry and unable to throw a heavy or secured safe in a pillowcase before escaping.Also, in this case it is not clear what “broken in” means, sometimes it is just opening an unlocked door.No matter, this episode could have been prevented by NRA sanctioned responsible hand gun ownership.I cannot understand why everyone does not support responsible gun ownership.
  - P May 24, 2018 (12:24 pm)
    
    I never said I was against responsible gun ownership, in fact I’m very much for it. I’m against victim blaming and assumptions that the victim didn’t practice responsible ownership. For the car analogy, I thought it relevant since the criminal also stole the victims car. It wasn’t a generic “cars kill people too” argument.As far as grossly false and tired analogies go, handguns are purchased for more than “killing humans”. In fact I would say that the majority of law abiding handgun owners have not killed a living person with theirs, myself included.I would also like to see the statistics on the number of accidental deaths and suicides caused by an unsecured weapon vs a secured one. I’m not sure why you lumped those in since this discussion is about theft.
    - Jethro Marx May 24, 2018 (2:04 pm)
      
      If your pistol safe is as easy to steal as a pistol in a nightstand, you made a poor choice. For less than $100 one can have a well made quick-access pistol safe that bolts to the floor or whatever monolithic piece of your house you choose. Sure, a thief can still get it, but it’ll take time and a modicum of wits (perhaps most importantly, more wits than a four-year-old generally possesses). I don’t know any responsible gun owners who treat their guns as casually as, say, that vase that your mother-in-law gave you. Either may be worth $500, but the gun is uniquely dangerous in its potential in the hands of a thief (or child). As for your expressed desire for suicide numbers, you should check that out- have you tried google search? It may be a bit of a racist and sexist algorithm, but I find it useful sometimes. It can be found at http://www.google.com
    - P May 24, 2018 (2:36 pm)
      
      There are a few issues with your comment here JETHRO. First, there is plenty of material out there showing how easy it is to break into those cheap-o gun safes. I’d post links, but per your google comment, I don’t need to back up my claims, it’s up to you to do on your own. Second, it sounds like this happened in an apartment. Not sure how thrilled landlords would be if you go bolting things into their floor and wall. Third, I’m not sure why you keep bringing up children in this discussion. It wasn’t a child that found and stole the gun, it was an adult criminal.I agree there are certain levels of precaution that must be taken when someone decides to purchase a firearm, and without all the facts we don’t know what that level was in this instance. Either way, blaming the victim shouldn’t be the first step that everyone takes.
    - Jethro Marx May 24, 2018 (3:23 pm)
      
      I was replying to the assertion you made that a pistol in a safe is no harder to steal than anything else, not speculating on the details of this particular case or looking for instructions on breaking into said safe. Your defensive tone leads us to believe that you object to the idea that owning a gun in a responsible manner carries with it the duty to secure it against those who ought not have it, within reason. I brought up kids because they are included in the many people your gun is more likely to discharge upon than those bad guys you’re hoping to target, when you buy it. As to landlord objections, I think you could figure something out. A few holes in the closet floor sounds like a reasonable price to pay, even if it’s an actual pecuniary price taken out of one’s deposit.

schwaggy May 24, 2018 (12:12 pm)

EXCUSE ME?!?!? “A handgun is designed, sold and purchased to kill humans”That sentence alone is absurd. It’s almost stating that anybody who owns a handgun wants to kill other people.

John May 24, 2018 (12:30 pm)

OK then, what is a handgun kept out, accessible to all and ready to use for?
- P May 24, 2018 (12:53 pm)
  
  That is a pretty big leap from all handguns to handguns specifically used for home defense.

heartless May 24, 2018 (12:37 pm)

Try entering “man stopper” into a search engine.The results will be guns and bullets.This is the world we live in. Rail against it all you want–and rail you should–but please don’t deny its reality.

P May 24, 2018 (12:57 pm)

That is a very specific search for a very specific topic, so yes of course the result will be in regards to the stopping power of firearm and ammunition combinations. Guess what the results are when you enter “nuclear weapon” into a search weapon.
- heartless May 24, 2018 (2:07 pm)
  
  Um, yeah it was a specific search. And heart disease, cancer, and auto accidents weren’t in the results. It was handguns. Why would handguns ever be linked to the term “man stopper”? Hmmm?
  
  Listen, I am just trying to point out to SCHWAGGY that handguns are VERY MUCH associated with killing people. SCHWAGGY seemed utterly shocked that handguns and killing people would be linked…
  
  I was surprised by this, and offered a small bit of evidence that this is indeed the case. That’s all.
  
  ps
  Internet searches for “nuclear weapons” brings up results for nuclear weapons and North Korea. What was your point again?
  - P May 24, 2018 (2:23 pm)
    
    Point was, looking up specific terms yields specific results. If you had read a bit more you would have seen that “man stopper” is an informal term for stopping power which refers to both humans and animals. Anyways, nobody said that handguns aren’t associated with killing people, it would be naive to think so. What was said was that all handguns “are designed, sold, and purchased to kill humans” which is an absurd statement. JOHN conveniently changed that statement to reflect handguns kept for home defense.
    - John May 24, 2018 (3:54 pm)
      
      I did not conveniently change my statement. Handguns were designed, sold and purchased to kill humans (P conveniently added the “all handguns”). That has always been their primary use as opposed to long guns such as rifles and shotguns designed and marketed for hunting. Machine guns and automatic weapons were also designed, sold and purchased to kill humans. It is beyond naive and truly absurd to claim that handguns were not made to kill humans.The accurate statement that you and thousands of other handgun owners have not (yet) used them to kill a person is obvious but is not indicative of their intended use. It is true that those who choose to own a handgun do so aware of the possibility of it being used to kill someone.Unsecured handguns do kill many children every year in the USA, so casually leaving them out for children (or burglars) is an issue.Statistics do indeed show that securing handguns reduces both accidental deaths and suicides.It is also absurd to dither with speculation that the owner in this case was not allowed by a landlord to secure their handgun. Suggesting the possibility that bolting the gun safe to something large (monolithic attachment as Mr. Marx mentioned), using a larger heavier safe or even just hiding the gun would not prevent this miscreant from possessing a stolen handgun is without merit.Not sure how thrilled landlords would be knowing that unsecured handguns are putting all of their tenants at risk? What if it goes off by accident injuring an innocent neighbor as has happened before? Or another resident discovers/confronts the burglar with the newly acquired handgun? And I do agree that absolutely every safe can be broken into, with time, tools and skills not likely possessed by this thief.My question for P, is whether you feel this is an example of the responsible handgun ownership that you state you are “very much for”?
    - Elly May 25, 2018 (8:05 am)
      
      John, thank you for making sense. Some of these gun nuts don’t seem to know what they defending with their nonsense or what they are supposedly defending against with their precious guns. Kill or be killed? Or is it more like, buy a gun and eventually someone steals it and it’s no longer your problem.
    - Question Authority May 24, 2018 (5:56 pm)
      
      I like how “nuclear weapons and yield” have been brought into this discussion as that’s how you measure them for effectiveness, much like a handgun caliber for stopping power.

Maxine May 24, 2018 (1:22 pm)

Tom, I saw your car get hit late yesterday afternoon on 42nd SW. A man was trying to parallel park his car behind you and side-swiped your car as he backed up. He was driving a cream-colored PT Cruiser, but I couldn’t see the license plate, except that it was a Washington state plate, that I think started with an “A” By the time I drove by again a few minutes later, the PT Cruiser was gone. I really thought that the guy was getting out of his car to leave you a note – sorry to hear that he didn’t. This isn’t much info, but hopefully it will help.

Tom May 24, 2018 (5:13 pm)

Thank you Maxine- I appreciate the help! Do you happen to know what time that was? I will be sure to pass along to the police.
- Maxine May 25, 2018 (9:46 am)
  
  It was around 4:45 pm. Good luck, Tom!

Steve May 24, 2018 (2:04 pm)

People love to internet argue these days. smh

P May 24, 2018 (2:13 pm)

It’s really been a slow day at work.
Swede. May 24, 2018 (7:31 pm)

Indeed. Especially people that only are armed with anecdotal ‘info’ it seems.
- heartless May 24, 2018 (8:42 pm)
  
  Indeed.
  Apart from the debate over whether or not handguns are for killing people (and it really seems like they are) I think it boils down to if you can’t handle a firearm don’t get one–and handling it includes, of course, making sure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
  
  After every spate of gun violence we always get the same exchanges on this blog–some people saying guns are bad, others saying no, bad people are bad. And this is a clear case of someone bad now having a gun because a legal owner presumably didn’t take enough precautions*.
  
  As for anecdotes–man, we’re internet commenters, and while I occasionally lapse and provide citations, I overall try to uphold that standard. (Kidding, of course.)
  
  *Please correct me if it can be shown the owner did actually have it secured, for example in a safe.
- Felix Grounds May 25, 2018 (7:56 am)
  
  Ha!I like my facts fresh off the top of my head.
- John May 25, 2018 (10:35 am)
  
  Not anecdotal. Yesterday Mayor Durkan proposed $500 to $10,000 fines for people failing to lock and safeguard their firearms.Not anecdotal. “An estimated 150,000 adults reported keeping firearms unlocked in their homes in King County, and at least 250 guns were reported stolen in Seattle last year, the legislation says.” Seattle Times 5/25/18Not anecdotal. The American Journal of Public Health published a study reporting about Washington State “only 36% of respondents who reported a firearm at home said they stored it locked and unloaded.”Not anecdotal. In 2015 in our state, someone under 17 was killed by gunfire every nine days, on average.I support the Mayor in working to make firearm owners responsible for the risks and costs they foist on the rest of us.
  - WSB May 25, 2018 (12:33 pm)
    
    Here is the mayor’s news release, issued yesterday:
    http://durkan.seattle.gov/2018/05/mayor-durkan-transmits-new-legislation-to-city-council-to-reduce-gun-violence-in-seattle/
  - P May 25, 2018 (1:01 pm)
    
    This is a step in the right direction for holding gun owners responsible for safe storage when there is an at-risk person, a minor, or someone forbidden to own a handgun in a home. Though the incident discussed yesterday would not fall under this new legislation per 10.79.30.
    - John May 25, 2018 (1:58 pm)
      
      @P,10.79.30, please explain?Good to hear you are still there, another slow day at work!Maybe you did not read the statement, but the incident yesterday would likely fall under this proposal as the proposal is about keeping guns safely stored in your home, i.e. not left out for someone to steal.It was not about at risk people, minors or those banned.It is not about what you claim, ” holding gun owners responsible for safe storage when there is an at-risk person, a minor, or someone forbidden to own a handgun in a home. ” Would love to hear your response as someone “very much in favor” of “responsible gun ownership” whether yesterday’s case is an example of responsible gun ownership?And what is your response to the 150,000 gun owners in King County who admit to not storing their weapon(s) securely? Are they also responsible gun owners?
    - heartless May 25, 2018 (2:18 pm)
      
      P, I think you maybe only read part of the ordinance:
      
      10.79.020 Safe storage of firearms
      It shall be a civil infraction for any person to store or keep any firearm in any premises unless such weapon is secured in a locked container, properly engaged so as to render such weapon inaccessible or unusable to any person other than the owner or other lawfully authorized user. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of this Section 10.79.020, such weapon shall be deemed lawfully stored or lawfully kept if carried by or under the control of the owner or other lawfully authorized user.
      
      Gun storage legislation
    - P May 25, 2018 (3:11 pm)
      
      Yes, still here. I misread section 10.79.020 which covers safe storage, 10.79.030 covers unauthorized access prevention which I am all in favor of, both of which can be found here here. I still believe that the former is victim blaming instead of holding criminals accountable for their actions. A locked door should be all the safe storage I need to prevent a criminal from accessing my weapons, it is not my job (regardless of what you and others might believe) to keep my property out of the hands of criminals. That is why we have police and prosecutors, however evidence shows property crime is not a high priority in Seattle these days. But we went down that road yesterday and I think we’ll just have to agree to disagree on our viewpoints. I also still stand firm that we didn’t have enough evidence that yesterdays case was proof of “responsible gun ownership or not”, a point I tried reiterating multiple times, but again old news. For the numbers you cited, I think it’s situational, if they are violating 10.79.030, then no, I don’t believe they are. Crunching them a bit more of those 150k adults, if 250 firearms were reported stolen (and this number is even in favor of your argument since it assumes all stolen firearms weren’t secured) that means 0.17% of unsecured firearms are stolen. That means the number of stolen firearms is relatively small compared to the number of firearms in total in King County. Granted you stated at least, and what I would like to see is making it mandatory to report a stolen firearm to have a more accurate number. Then you stated “In 2015 in our state, someone under 17 was killed by gunfire every nine days, on average” but have nothing to show if those people killed were killed by a stolen firearm, if that stolen firearm was locked, were they straw man purchases, it’s just facts thrown in. . I guess in summary, I think 10.70.020 is allowing us to criminalize victims or at most a feel good rule because a $50 gun locker is going to be stolen just as quickly as the gun itself. 10.70.030 is good, it holds people accountable for possessing a firearm around people they know should not have access to a firearm. And the chances of your unlocked firearm being stolen are relatively small.

gorillita May 24, 2018 (3:14 pm)

It’s not that we don’t appreciate responsible gun ownership – just leave the NRA out of it.

Ms. Sparkles May 24, 2018 (3:57 pm)

Hats off to the woman who fought back against the purse snatcher. You rock!

bob vila May 24, 2018 (5:31 pm)

was the prowler a young white male with sandy blondish hair, skinny and facial scruff? methy looking.he is usually located at the shell station or super24 on delridge most of the time riding his bike around, and has been spotted around 25th sw and Hudson as well.we have a new Bonny and Clyde set of prowlers(younger man older skinny woman) prowling thru neighbors yards on peuget blvd, dropping off other peoples bankcards and mail in our neighbors garbage cans and prowling cars/mail boxes.

Seattlite May 24, 2018 (6:20 pm)

It’s going to be a long summer.I like the spunky lady who punched that criminal’s knuckle head and retrieved her cell phone. Since I’m not young anymore, I make sure I don’t carry a purse but instead use a small cross over the shoulder holder. I don’t have a cell phone so no worry there.As a side note, a few days ago on the corner of Alaska and 44th two guys and a girl were fist fighting. I honked my horn and an adult male told them to knock it off and walk away, which believe it or not they obeyed. The girl went and sat on a bench in the parking lot adjacent to Pharmaca. I hope this doesn’t become the norm in the Alaskan Junction.

Toby Getsch May 24, 2018 (6:27 pm)

I am thoroughly confused. Maybe I missed something from skimming comments very fast. We have a strict standard here. When we get emotional and comment on WSB, we have to be consistent. —> How is it that this post did not have comments about off leash dogs at public beaches and parks?

WSB May 24, 2018 (6:33 pm)

Go ahead and get it started!
- Toby Getsch May 24, 2018 (6:36 pm)
  
  LOL! :)

waikikigirl May 24, 2018 (6:35 pm)

@TobyG….LOL!!!!!!

REBEKAH May 24, 2018 (8:07 pm)

Warm hello to my fellow neighbors here in West Seattle. I am proud to be a West Seattleite for 12 years. This probably is not the best place to interject on this, but I have been following this thread and I am fatigued…and I need support from my fellow West Seattleites. I am from Washington DC and I have been out here for 12 years, so it takes a lot for me to be rattled. However, I am not only a victim of an attempted break-in, but I am a victim of the fact that it took AN HOUR FOR THE COPS TO GET HERE when the guy was trying to break down my door b/c they said “You are not being actively murdered” (One of the dispatchers) and I had to call five more times before they dispatched someone. I am disgusted. However, I live in public housing off of Delridge and I am just wondering if it is because of that. Why? My husband and I put in a 911 call from someone ringing our doorbell for two hours and they got here hours later, but did not even take a police report b/c they said they did not see anyone (hours later). Another situation in which I supposed I had to call after I was dead. I heard from a woman in another part of West Seattle that OPA never does anything. The next morning it happened again. This time, the cops were there within 2 minutes. I am rattled, shaken up and traumatized. Our entire units are being renovated and we are in the process of moving and are moving on June 2nd. However, the cops said they hoped it made me feel better that the guy who tried to walk into my unit the second time was a worker in the wrong building. I just did not buy it. It could be that the two incidents are unrelated. But I just do not know what to think. Regardless….the police response the first time was jarring, while I sat here and shook when the guy came back every 10 minutes to do this (no other neighbors were here at the time). I called at 10:36 p.m. on May 22nd, and the cops did not show up until 11:36. The cops said that they came when they got dispatched, which was just a couple of minutes earlier, which means that the cops were never dispatched at 10:36 as I was told they would be. So…I am angry, disgusted, and wonder if it is just b/c we live in what I call “lower Delridge” that this is happening…I am also in horrible fear for my safety in general. To add insult to injury, my neighbors are jerks, b/c I have written numerous letters to Seattle Housing about the fact that they constantly prop the door open for any psycho from Delridge (Our apartment faces the street of Delridge)…to waltz in and do what they want when they want, and if they so choose to break in, they will. On top of it, the cops that came the second time within 5 minutes said that there were major security breaches from the workers leaving the lower unit patio and windows open. I brought this up to management. I am not confident that much is going to be done about it. I will keep being the foghorn as I am persistent, since it is not just about my safety, but everyone else’s. I am alarmed that our community calls 911 and has to wait an hour after six calls while I was gripping a hammer shaking in a closet buried under clothes. Do you all think it is just b/c I live in a low income housing unit? The cops kept saying they were shortstaffed and to give feedback to the cops about this. As a previous assault victim, my PTSD is in full force. However, th copes just said their hands are tied. What do you all think about it? I appreciate all thoughts (constructive/positive) and comments. Thanks, Rebekah

Elly May 25, 2018 (8:23 am)

Rebekah, I am so sorry and it’s absolute BS how you have been treated. Filing an official complaint is well within your right. Take care and good luck :)

John May 24, 2018 (9:59 pm)

Rebekah,That is a troubling story that I am sorry to hear. It is unacceptable and a horror no matter where one lives. -It is shocking for a 911 operator to say, “You are not being actively murdered” when someone is attempting to break in. Outrageous! Please file a freedom of information request for the transcript of the recorded 911 call. Call the commanding officer and confront him with the statement of the 911 operator. Also contact Lisa Herbold with the information and try sharing it at one of the SPD outreach and crime council events listed regularly in the WSB.

flimflam May 25, 2018 (7:20 am)

unfortunately, rebekah, this is the new normal re: police reaction times. it must have been very frightening for you, sorry to hear of your ordeal.our city desperately needs more police officers – the city was already understaffed, yet the city council thinks police officers are mean and racist. just look into the whole north precinct fiasco.now that is a levy i would vote “yes” on – more officers and more enforcement of the law. somehow the city has 100 million + for all sorts of homeless services but no money or will to keep the city safe for regular ol’ tax paying citizens. so messed up.

newnative May 25, 2018 (9:01 am)

When people here complain about the response times for cops, I always first wonder about the 911 dispatchers. I worked in healthcare and part of my job was to call 911 for emergencies related to our residents. Sometimes the dispatcher “diagnosed” the problem and would deny emergency services. I also had the horror of walking upon someone outside who was self-harming and intermittently running into traffic (at midnight), the dispatcher casually asked if I saw blood and didn’t dispatch anyone right away. In these cases I always called back to make sure they knew it was an ongoing emergency and that I was standing by, waiting for help.

Helpful May 25, 2018 (11:15 am)

I’m sure it’s not easy being the dispatcher. Everyone’s emergency is a top priority to that person- but is often wildly overstated. Some regulars are calling every night, and dispatcher has to try to ascertain the actual threat level of the situation. Have you ever heard of the boy who cried wolf? You can apply the lesson here. 911 can’t send the cavelry every time a raccoon knocks over a garbage can..

WSB May 25, 2018 (11:29 am)

While the post’er’s situation certainly sounds like more than a latter, please also take note that it depends on what else is going on. And it’s got nothing to do with where you are. With the scanner on 24/7, I’ve heard urgent dispatches to east WS and “this call’s been waiting two hours” dispatches to west WS.
newnative May 25, 2018 (11:53 am)

Helpful, your comment doesn’t seem relevant in this case. The report is about someone repeatedly trying to get in to someone’s residence, twice! How do you know calls are “often wildly overstated”? I have had personal experience with dispatchers telling me they will send a private ambulance when I describe someone is having signs and symptoms of a stroke. A STROKE. I was berated for calling for a resident who was having a heart attack. I have experienced the sudden panic of having my locked door tried, I can’t imagine waiting for a response for hours while someone is continuing to try to get in. It’s harassment at best.

R May 25, 2018 (2:44 pm)

Just carry the gun in your purse.

P May 25, 2018 (3:15 pm)

I wonder how people will feel when everyone just starts open carrying every time they leave the house.

JustWondering May 25, 2018 (3:59 pm)

Question. % of gun crimes that are commited with a gun stolen in a residential burglary? Question. % of burgleries commited when nobody was home. Comment on 911 dispatchers. My sister had someone trying to break in to her house on Queen Anne several years ago. Dispatcher kept asking: do you know him, are you sure you don’t know him etc etc. Finally sent a traffic cop on a motorcycle. When he saw the guy he radioed for backup. 5 min later there were 7 spd car’s there-for the guy dispatch didn’t want to send on my sister’s say so. Officer on scene told by sister that 911 operators are told to “psycoalylize you over the phone. If you don’t sound worried they won’t prioritize. He suggested calling the fire dept.-they just come. If the siren doesn’t scare the perp away at least spd will respond to their cries for help. Another funny story: a friend that lives in Tacoma was fed up with squatters next door. He called 911. Dispatcher said they had no one to send. He said fine-i’ll take my shotgun and handle it myself. Within 5 min there were 5 TPD car’s there. My friend did say to the sgt. gee-I thought there was nobody available.

Sorry, comment time is over.