4TH OF JULY AFTERMATH: Gunfire; park damage….

| Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

4th of July aftermath reports:

GUNFIRE, NOT FIREWORKS: We heard part of this call around 1:30 am but not enough until we could confirm with police. Now we have that confirmation. Near 9th SW & SW Henderson, a report of gunfire led police to discover that “a residence was struck several times” plus shell casings were found (at least 15, according to radio communication we heard at the time) in the intersection. No injuries reported.

FAIRMOUNT PLAYGROUND RESTROOM DAMAGED: Seattle Parks has just confirmed that the damage done to the comfort-station building at Fairmount Playground was the result of fireworks. It’s closed as a result:

(WSB photo, this morning)

Parks says it will put up fencing around the building while the interior damage is repaired.

The building is just a few years old, and cost more than $325,000.

LINCOLN PARK: Toward the south end of the beach, someone blew up a trash can:

That photo came in via text this morning.

BEACH DRIVE FIRE: No structure fires in West Seattle on the 4th or so far today. “Brush fire” is the most common categorization for open-area fireworks fires and this one around 6:30 pm at Beach Drive/Jacobsen Road was the only one:

The tipster who sent the photo said it was a fireworks-sparked fire.

Jim P. July 5, 2019 (3:44 pm)

The lack of enforcement efforts on the part of SPD results in this sort of thing. Every park and school yard ought to have a patrol on the 4th.The city can’t keep pretending it’s just harmless fun.

Bill July 6, 2019 (12:07 am)

In order for that to happen two things need to also happen 1) People need to want too be cops and 2) Cops would need to all be working on the 4th. Neither of those things are true. There’s no infinite number of police to patrol every park and high school and no one wants to work on the 4th.
- WSB July 6, 2019 (9:15 am)
  
  I don’t know how many police (if any) actually get the holiday off but a LARGE amouot are working and assigned to crowded spots like Gas Works and Alki.

BJG July 5, 2019 (4:18 pm)

We heard this, saw this, and so much more in our Seaview neighborhood and in the surrounding neighborhoods. It was nearly a non-stop war zone until after two in the morning and not one police car to be seen. It must all be legal now. Might as well change the law.

LD July 5, 2019 (4:41 pm)

The damage at Fairmount was not done last night. It was blocked off all day yesterday. I live adjacent to the park and have called SPD countless times of kids partying in the park at 2:00, 3:00, 4:00am playing loud music and fighting for HOURS. Guess the lack of patrol and my complaints falling on deaf ears will now cost tax payers $100,000’s. Perhaps if the lights were kept on at night they’d save some of our money.

120rider July 5, 2019 (5:09 pm)

Delridge war zone going 20 years now. Enforcement is a laugh out loud joke. Thanks to all of you who turned my dogs to psychopathic jelly for the next week. It’s really too bad wsb(love u btw) doesn’t allow swearing so i could say what you all really are.

flimflam July 5, 2019 (5:22 pm)

yup – if its too hard to enforce, its legal now…great job, Seattle.

dhg July 5, 2019 (5:31 pm)

Everyone knows the POLICE WILL DO NOTHING and so it encourages this behavior. Herbold asked the mayor for a strong statement but got nothing. We need a commitment from the police that they will start making arrests and charging this crime against the perps.

Darryll July 5, 2019 (6:49 pm)

Mayor Durkan is a career politician. She does nothing that doesn’t result in sunshine and rainbows press for herself. I am sorry to say I voted for her. Not making that mistake again.
Lindsey July 6, 2019 (7:51 am)

Yep. Went out at 11:30pm to confront some jerks lighting off big fireworks about ten feet from my house, and they said, “what are you gonna do, call the cops? They won’t come.” And added that they’ve been doing that in that spot for ten years. They only left (with toddlers in tow!) when I took a pic of the license plates. It’s ridiculous. I’m afraid to go to bed because I don’t want my roof to catch fire.
- Toby July 7, 2019 (3:49 pm)
  
  https://web6.seattle.gov/courts/ECFPortal/default.aspxOn the left hand side panel, click on vehicle Information (registered owner by plate).
  - WSB July 7, 2019 (4:03 pm)
    
    It should be noted that search only brings up results if there was a citation involving that vehicle.

Hoku July 5, 2019 (8:08 pm)

We all need to let the mayor know we want enforcement re private fireworks otherwise nothing will change. Arbor Heights is so crazy with illegal fireworks that, in the past, SFD had a fire engine sitting in our circle/cul-de-sac on the 4th of July. Our homes are typically our largest investment. Tired of having to stay home on July 4th to make sure the pets are okay and make sure my home doesn’t catch on fire. A couple of years ago I saved my home by being there and taking quick action with a hose when fireworks landed on my roof and started doing serious damage. So wrong.

concerned citizen July 5, 2019 (9:55 pm)

but hey, i got a $136 ticket today from SPD trying not to miss the i-5 entrance downtown. SPD is a joke. they fine those of us who they know will pay and everything else is ignored. Give me a ticket and enforce all the laws too not just the money makers.

Mike July 6, 2019 (12:13 am)

I’m confused, are you upset you got caught driving recklessly?
Km July 6, 2019 (3:15 pm)

I’d love to see more tickets handed out for bad driving. (assuming here you didn’t get a ticket for “trying not to miss the I-5 entrance” but for the actions you took to do so). Glad to see there was some sort of enforcement on the 4th.

Coffeedude July 5, 2019 (11:12 pm)

Its not the mayor rather get the darn fireworks banned statewide! They do more damage and cost more in expense than they bring into the state revenue system.

anonyme July 6, 2019 (6:38 am)

All of these damages should come out of Durkan’s salary. She’s rich so probably doesn’t care, but has no problem with having the rest of us pay for her neglect and incompetence. I’m guessing she doesn’t have M-80’s and salutes going off on her doorstep, or rockets landing on her roof; if there were, I guarantee there would be police response PRONTO. When a mayor can’t even be bothered to make a statement about a problem of well-known concern to a majority of constituents, there is a problem. Durkan only shows up for photo-ops with corporations like Apple, and developers. It is notoriously difficult for a citizen to gain access to her office for any reason. She doesn’t even answer to council members. I also agree with coffeedude that there should be a statewide ban, but that still doesn’t help with enforcement. One more thing in regard to cleanup; fireworks debris is considered hazardous waste, so caution – and proper disposal – must be considered by those cleaning up the disgusting and dangerous messes of others.

ADifferentOpinion July 6, 2019 (7:23 am)

Well, I’ll speak up. There are plenty of people that do fireworks responsibly. Hose at the ready, bucket of water, clean up afterwards. Water your yard during the day. Give pets CBD oil. We enjoy watching whatever is done in the neighborhood.Me? I took a benedryl & went to sleep at 10- knowing I had to work in the morning.

KBear July 6, 2019 (12:40 pm)

Oh, you mean you got insurance and a permit?
Matt P July 6, 2019 (2:10 pm)

And still illegally.
Eric July 6, 2019 (11:10 pm)

Yeah, CBD isn’t a magic bullet nor any match for fireworks.Watering my yard doesn’t help my roof or foliage.Your hose doesn’t follow the smoldering bits falling in other people’s yards.You took a benadryl. Good for you. Glad that worked. I guess if you slept through it, then it isn’t a problem?Thats a far cry from the veteran I talked to at the dog park today who only wanted it to stop because “the people setting them off generally don’t have memories of having (mortars) used on them”.Saying some people do it responsibly pretty much encompasses the people who don’t do it. Maybe sparklers, maybe smoke bombs or spinners; but not mortars. We had to chase strangers out of our intersection because their fireworks were landing on our roof and yard.Your right to swing your arm ends at my nose, and saying you get to hit me in the nose one night a year is a bad argument.

K July 6, 2019 (7:46 am)

Yesterday our 13 year old neighbor pointed a fireworks launcher at my 4 year old. Nothing I can do about it. His parents don’t care.

BR July 6, 2019 (8:20 am)

I live on the north end of 16th Ave SW, overlooking the green belt. I heard multiple magazines unloaded (probably 75 shots) from what sound like 2 different caliber weapons. I believe it was 1 house down from me as I peeked out the window and saw the muzzle flash in their yard. I didn’t call the police as I have an understanding of what is priority under this regressive municipal government.

WSB July 6, 2019 (10:47 am)

If you assume police don’t respond to gunfire, you are wrong. It is a dispatch any time, any place, and you’d know that if you had to listen to police radio most hours of the day/night as we do.

Terremoto July 6, 2019 (8:34 am)

My dog was also terrorized until 2 a.m. On July 4th but almost worst on 5th because it was random booms rather than constant. Lack of sleep making me really irritable.

Eddie July 6, 2019 (11:23 am)

Am I the only one scratching my head as to why an outdoor park restroom cost an estimated $325THOUSAND !?

LD July 6, 2019 (3:44 pm)

I was thinking that exact thing. $325k for two bathroom stalls?

anonyme July 6, 2019 (11:46 am)

@adifferentopinion, explain to me how you break the law “responsibly”? Did you take a class on how to be a responsible criminal? Will your bucket of water cover your neighbor’s home if you set it on fire? Did you ask every neighbor within a block or so if they’d mind having their pets terrorized, their property placed at risk, and their evening ruined with explosions? Did you find out if there are seniors, veterans, or infants living nearby that might suffer serious health risks as a result of your actions? ‘Cuz ya know, I don’t hear anything responsible in your post, just the same self-centered, shift the blame BS.

ADifferentOpinion July 6, 2019 (1:41 pm)

@Kbear & @anonyme As I stated, I was in bed by ten – with earplugs. No permit. No fireworks. Given that there are lots of folks in West Seattle that DO shoot off fireworks, I thought that maybe a different opinion could be useful. This is not a new phenomenon. So – plan for it & take safety measures.

Tracey July 6, 2019 (4:01 pm)

So, if a local convenience store is robbed. Is it OK for the police to say, “Anyone dead, how much property damage, and what did they steal”? “Oh, just a few packs of cigs and no, I’m still alive”. “Yeah, we are too busy to respond to that, sorry”. “You can file a complaint with your local council member if you want”.Is this the Seattle we are all hoping for?

anonyme July 6, 2019 (3:31 pm)

How is your endorsement of illegal activity helpful? Your opinion is neither different nor useful; the only person who thinks highly of it is yourself. You know what else is not a “new phenomenon”? Ignorance.

Mj July 6, 2019 (4:30 pm)

Catch and make the perpetrators pay for any damages they cause, and at Seattle costing rate!

Wynn Odonnell July 6, 2019 (10:44 pm)

Kids next door shot a fire work right into my backyard and caught my plum tree on fire!! What will I sell at the farmers market now? Scared the heck out of my poor dog too. You’ll be okay Petunia.

Ed July 7, 2019 (2:25 am)

But I’m still wondering about the quarter million dollar bathroom !?!? How!?

anonyme July 7, 2019 (7:18 am)

“Your right to swing your arm ends at my nose, and saying you get to hit me in the nose one night a year is a bad argument.” Excellent!! I would add that such an argument demands a quid pro quo…

sgs July 7, 2019 (2:25 pm)

It would be interesting to hear comments from the folks setting off large fireworks on Oregon near 47th and others near Ercolini park why they do it knowing well it’s against the law. Just want to understand the thinking there.

NM July 7, 2019 (11:28 pm)

You can blame the mayor AND the Seattle City Council for lack of police presence. The SPD is not supported by the council nor the mayor (past & present). Officers have left SPD in large numbers recently & continue to do so because of this.