West Seattle Crime Watch: About the Holy Rosary-area harassment situation

We received e-mail asking us to look into the status of a situation north of The Junction that’s been the topic of a discussion in the WSB Forums and was also the subject of a letter sent home to Holy Rosary School families – a man reported to be harassing/threatening people in the area. We asked Southwest Precinct operations commander Lt. Steve Strand for an update. He says police are well aware of the situation and that the man “suffers from mental health issues and has family that lives close by.” Long ago, he was “trespassed” – ordered to stay away from, or face charges – from the school and church property, but he “was recently out there yelling profanities and causing fear in the area. The school took precautions and warned the students, parents, and staff about the situation.” Last week, the man was arrested for criminal trespass. He was referred to the Crisis Solutions Center, Lt. Strand says, but, he adds, the man “walked away prior to treatment. He has not been seen back in the area. We went out to the school earlier today and they have not seen or heard from him.”

Neighbor? November 5, 2018 (8:40 pm)

Is there a description of the man? We have an issue with a neighbor loitering around our property and sometimes trespassing. There have been outbursts of profanity, as well. According to neighbors in my building, the police have not responded when we’ve called. We feel a bit stuck. This sounds somewhat similar, so I wonder if the situations might be related.

WSB November 5, 2018 (8:55 pm)

I have not yet procured a police report that has one but if you follow the link to the forum thread, one of the post’ers mentions a description.
- Neighbor? November 5, 2018 (9:40 pm)
  
  Thank you. Doesn’t sound like the same guy, but it was helpful to read the other thread, nonetheless.

T November 5, 2018 (11:09 pm)

How sad. The kids have had to deal with men exposing themselves in the past. I live within blocks of this area and wondered if I have seen the man who has been banned before.. Is he the one that yells a__hole at the top of hus lungs, over and over while flipping off cars? Walks around in the summer just wearing shorts and has long grey hair.

flimflam November 6, 2018 (6:02 am)

so he just strolled away? will they actively search for and re-arrest him?

JoB November 6, 2018 (6:16 am)

There is a simple solution. Vote for more funding for mental health treatment. These people are on our streets because they literally have no other place to go.

Sonic November 6, 2018 (7:34 am)

A comment like this always confuses me. It doesn’t matter how much money we have for mental health funding unless we are willing to forcibly commit people correct? People who have a mental health issue often don’t think they have one and thus refuse help even when it’s available.
hj November 6, 2018 (8:28 am)

I don’t see that on my ballot, can you help me find it?
Casey November 6, 2018 (9:11 am)

It’s not as easy as that, as stated above he walked away prior to treatment. You can’t (always) force people to get treatment or continue to take their medication once they are released.

Tracy November 6, 2018 (8:03 am)

He yelled “F—- you”to myself and my teenaged daughter at 6:55am this morning at the corner of Dakota and 42nd Ave

Cozbi Hultz November 6, 2018 (11:56 am)

Oh no! Well, maybe call the police to at least report it. Since an officer involved on this case is named above, perhaps we can ask for him directly when we call? As I said, things have really progressed in severity with him, so maybe it will take a few attempts to have him accept help. I’ll be home all this afternoon so I’ll be sure to keep my eyes and ears out (I’m the one who wrote the original report on the other open forum.)

FedUp November 6, 2018 (11:42 am)

Is this the same guy that walks around the Alaska Junction yelling profanities at everyone? Or stands/sits in the middle of the intersection when traffic attempts to drive around him? He sometimes has a small dog with him.

Fascinated November 6, 2018 (1:38 pm)

A week ago, there was a guy mid 40’s dark brown hair and facial hair- sitting out in front of Alaska junction Starbucks with a beagle. My daughter and I were having a cocoa, and had to leave because he was ranting F this and that to no one in particular…
KM November 6, 2018 (6:34 pm)

That gentleman you are thinking of doesn’t fit the description of the one in the forum post, though I know who you are referring to. I’ve wondered how we can help him, I seem him almost every day, and his dog is a constant companion (small liver and white mix–might be the same person Fascinated is referring to).Does anyone know his story or what help might be available to him?

sad November 6, 2018 (12:02 pm)

It’s a problem all throughout West Seattle – the Alaska junction, the Admiral junction, the Morgan junction. I am fearful to take my kids near any of them because of this type of behavior. I’ve been intimidated by such yelling and threating movements. It’s sad and not the West Seattle I loved 15 years ago.

Jim P. November 6, 2018 (12:43 pm)

“the man was arrested for criminal trespass. He was referred to the Crisis Solutions Center, Lt. Strand says, but, he adds, the man “walked away prior to treatment.”Outstanding job of controlling someone under arrest. I feel ever so much safer.I realize there’s room for compassion for the mentally ill but let’s try and keep in mind that protecting the larger community comes first. Must we wait until he attacks a child or does something equally permanent?He should have been held for a hearing and then the judge could require treatment so he could be kept out of the community until things improve for him and there would be proper legal grounds to go after him if he just “walked away”.

Ms. Sparkles November 6, 2018 (12:53 pm)

I agree wholeheartedly Jim P.
Jethro Marx November 6, 2018 (3:23 pm)

Way to “realize there’s room for compassion” while keeping your hold on being a privileged jerk. Yes, you must wait for someone to commit a crime (more serious than trespass) before you can throw them in jail. On the bright side, the same freedom that allows people to holler curse words in public lets you suggest falsely that the mentally ill are more likely to attack a child. Of course, if we assume you don’t suffer from mental illness, we probably ought to expect you to put your freedom to speak to better use than libeling the vulnerable in society.
- 33pete November 6, 2018 (5:12 pm)
  
  Jethro – making threatening statements and aggressive confronting people is a crime to the extent it would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety, as is trespass. Moreover, people who engage in that type of threatening behavior are more likely to physically assault someone. Maligning someone for making a common sense suggestion that some effort be made to address the concern is arrogant and – to borrow your word – privileged on your part.
  - TM7302 November 9, 2018 (7:32 pm)
    
    Bravo
  - Kelly November 20, 2018 (11:37 pm)
    
    Well said, sir.

Me November 6, 2018 (2:56 pm)

HI Tracey, what did the man look like.?

patrick November 7, 2018 (4:09 pm)

If you follow Easy Street Records Instagram account they posted a photo of the Alaska Street Junction person who was harassing people, the police arrested that guy.

ConcernedNeighbor November 14, 2018 (9:35 pm)

He’s still around. He tried to come after my little boy and I a few weeks ago as we were walking down the street. Fortunately we locked ourselves in a business and reported it. I’ve seen him twice this week. And he was outside Safeway this morning. I’m trying to post a pic here.