WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 2 businesses hit by thieves

| Crime | West Seattle news

2 West Seattle Crime Watch reports involving local businesses:

PEGASUS BOOK EXCHANGE: The Junction book shop was hit by theft over the weekend – $200 in already-purchased books. “People can help us out by donating via the WSJA. People’s amazingly generous donations have already helped us recoup the cost of the loss,” Emma from Pegasus tells us. Any overage will go toward some security improvements. (Thanks to Elise for the tip on this.)

TOOLS TAKEN: Jack at Be Green reports, “My crew had some landscaping tools stolen this morning in Gatewood. These are battery operated and of course the stupid thieves didn’t realize the tools did not have the batteries in them. I’m guessing they are just going to dump them somewhere. If anyone finds them, there is a small reward. There was a mower and weed whacker. The suspect car was a ’90s purple Accord with no plates, just a paper sticker in the back window. (Here) is a picture of a car that represents this color and model.” And stock photos of the types of tools taken are here and here.

Beanie July 13, 2020 (8:13 pm)

WHO STEALS FROM A BOOKSTORE?!?!

Alf July 13, 2020 (8:40 pm)

Low life, can only hope they actually know how to read

maddy July 13, 2020 (8:19 pm)

Car picture is missing.

WSB July 14, 2020 (1:25 am)

Fixed that link.

Beepee July 13, 2020 (8:20 pm)

Have a bunch of books was going to take to the goodwill, would book donations help ?

Eric Pegasus July 14, 2020 (6:46 am)

Thanks Beepee, it would help, please make an appointment to do so here:http://www.pegasusbookexchange.com/p/dropoffs.html

AlkiGirl July 13, 2020 (8:42 pm)

We love Pegasus Books. I’m so sorry that happened. 😢

Dzag July 13, 2020 (9:02 pm)

These thefts sadly will go up. It’s time to tell Lisa Herbold to increase police funding

WW Resident July 14, 2020 (3:34 am)

Or at the very least, not defund it by 50%
Defund SPD July 14, 2020 (7:44 am)

Exactly! Because thefts only began after police funding started getting scrutinized. And before then, police always solved 100% of cases and recovered all stolen property! Maybe we just don’t need armed, military-trained bullies showing up to file property damage, auto accident, and theft reports when someone else can do the job without the weapons and chip on the shoulder. Maybe we start re-imagining what policing is and shouldn’t be and then work on funding those alternatives instead. Nobody’s saying we don’t need anyone at all to respond to various things police have been tasked with, but we are saying that the current system isn’t working and we can’t keep pouring money into a broken machine expecting it’ll suddenly work.
Richard July 14, 2020 (8:00 am)

No, they won’t. Police don’t prevent crime. The police aren’t currently defunded or reduced in any capacity, and this theft just happened. Our current system of policing does not keep our community safe. Defunding police isn’t just about taking money away from cops, it’s about redistributing and reinvesting that money elsewhere into the community, and spending it on services that can actually lead to reductions in crime. If you don’t support defunding the police then you don’t support investing in stable housing, mental health services, and community organization. If you support the police department in its current state you’re supporting a broken model of public safety that relies on punishment and fear, and a model that protects itself as it continues to use lethal force against unarmed and innocent Americans. Stop the fear monger, and do some homework. Start by reading up on Camden, NJ, and maybe some of the many books that’ll help you confront racism and bias.
helpermonkey July 14, 2020 (8:30 am)

like the SPD ever even responds to thefts, come on. Defunding them will make zero difference when it comes to property crimes.

Cogburn July 14, 2020 (7:24 am)

Some of us remember what it was like before the SW precinct. Lobby the city to retain it during defund, which should not be 50% right off the bat. They need to go slower with such changes and should provide citizens with input and a detailed plan.

Dzag July 14, 2020 (12:16 pm)

Coburn that’s very well said… I Fully support mental health resources this needs to be done in a responsible way with community and stakeholder input. Helpermonkey defunding the police will only make crime go from bad to worse

BG July 14, 2020 (12:31 pm)

I’m sorry and dismayed to hear about this. We’ve been a customer of Pegasus for years, and both of my sons have worked for Be Green. These small businesses shouldn’t have to deal with this kind of crap. I wish our City Council Chairperson of Public Safety would put some pressure on Pete Holmes and Dan Satterberg to prosecute more of these property crime cases. It is getting out of hand.

Audifans July 15, 2020 (9:42 am)

Not quite sure why Wyatt’s jewelry store robbery isn’t listed here. It should be

Jeff Miller July 15, 2020 (11:15 am)

“If you don’t support defunding the police then you don’t support investing in stable housing, mental health services, and community organization.”

Richard, I support stable housing, mental health services, and community organization as do you. I have a question though. Did you support defunding the police as a way to help these causes prior to this defunding movement?