Why police were at West Seattle’s Caffe Ladro

Thanks for the tips. Police are at Caffe Ladro in south Morgan Junction after a man broke the glass in the coffee shop’s door. We’re told the man was clearly in crisis, yelling obscenities, at the time. He is in custody. Medics were checking out people who were in the shop when it happened; nobody had to be transported. The shop is closed right now for cleanup.

31 Replies to "Why police were at West Seattle's Caffe Ladro"

  • Mj October 31, 2020 (12:50 pm)

    I feel for the shop owner who will be saddled with cost of repair and lost business.  

    • Vic October 31, 2020 (1:57 pm)

      It’s a local chain with at least 5 locations so I would hope they have insurance! Hopefully it can get fixed quickly.

      • John October 31, 2020 (7:40 pm)

        I’m getting really tired of this argument. They might have insurance but they’ll probably still be responsible for a portion and their rates at that location will go up

        • Vic October 31, 2020 (9:19 pm)

          It wasn’t an argument for or against anything, just saying that’s what insurance is for. Not all insurance goes up for every use.

          • Resident November 1, 2020 (8:21 am)

            The insurance isn’t going to cover lost pay for the barista and the experience of the people there at the time. So not sure why you brought up insurance. Not a great argument in situations like this.

          • Alki resident November 1, 2020 (12:08 pm)

            How is this an argument? MJ is right? Cafe Ladro will have additional expenses because of this. It just sucks. Which I had some extra money to help them with the replacement costs. 

    • flimflam October 31, 2020 (2:11 pm)

      yup, me too. sure, i also feel bad for the person “in crisis” but at least they’ll likely be offered some sort of help – the business just gets to feel violated and pay for the repairs.

      • Kris October 31, 2020 (3:10 pm)

        Recovering from mental illness is no easy task, even with all the help in the world. I feel for everyone involved. Broken glass is the easy part. 

  • LoveGatewood October 31, 2020 (1:26 pm)

    Hope everyone is ok! So sorry that happened 

  • Ladro fan October 31, 2020 (2:47 pm)

    Was there before the cops arrived, getting some beans. The man was clearly in crisis eben before i walked in. a customer was trying to help the situation by listening and showimg empathy. …cops were being called as i was leaving.

  • ScubaFrog October 31, 2020 (2:59 pm)

    I hope the man’s ok, and hope all responders are ok.  Bummer for Cafe Ladro, local businesses are having a tough time with our bridge closure, and now 1st ave Bridge.  I wish them prosperity <3 and health (that goes to all!)

  • Eric October 31, 2020 (3:47 pm)

    With the amount of windows getting broken for businesses they can’t afford the insurance anymore if they turn in for a claim. How about we enforce the laws, require penalties (jail time), and offer drug counseling and ongoing support to create some change in this downward spiral

    • BetteDavisEyes October 31, 2020 (6:59 pm)

      Restitution to victims should be an important part of the equation, as well.

      • Citizen October 31, 2020 (10:29 pm)

        It’s unrealistic to expect that a mentally ill person will be able to pay restitution now or in the future. Although courts frequently order it, the liklihood that it will get paid is slim to none. So it’s not really part of the solution in these circumstances.

        • Resident November 1, 2020 (8:26 am)

          Then what would work? While I don’t disagree with you telling someone their idea is bad without offering an alternative isn’t very helpful.

          • Ashley November 2, 2020 (7:25 pm)

            Umm… not a failing mental health system/drug rehab from feds and state……. that would likely help a lot. more taxes on ultra wealthy would fund. Their income is growing EXPONENTIALLY because they are taxed at lowest rates ever …society needs/deserves more. 

  • Steve October 31, 2020 (4:54 pm)

    I agree with Eric

  • everybody hurts October 31, 2020 (7:19 pm)

    feel for all the people being broken.

    💛

    Windows are much easier to fix than broken hearts and minds.

  • Cam October 31, 2020 (8:22 pm)

    We shouldn’t be relying on insurance to solve our problems. We should solve them ourselves. It’s time to quit making excuses and take ownership and pride in our city, and the businesses and people that contribute to making West Seattle awesome. 

    • Mel November 1, 2020 (7:10 am)

      Totally agree, Cam! Our local businesses are paying the price for the actions (or inaction) of our local government policies. West Seattle is a wonderful community and I’d like to keep it that way. 

      • Mike November 1, 2020 (10:21 am)

        Seattle businesses need to open a class action lawsuit against the city and King County for allowing this to happen over and over.  The council, Dow Constantine and Pete Holmes have restricted SPD and KC Sheriff, letting people out before paperwork is even completed.  The Council, Dow Constantine and Pete Holmes are the ones we all need to hold responsible for the lawlessness in Seattle and massive rise in people in need being put on the street.  SPD didn’t do this, defund the council and Pete Holmes.  Recall Them All!  Hold the judges responsible for signing off on release of those who area danger to themselves and others around them.  Put the onus on poor leadership.

        • Mel November 1, 2020 (2:42 pm)

          Mike- I totally agree. Our leaders are the ones creating issues. SPD has become the scapegoat and has their hands tied. Hopefully people begin to wake up and see that.

        • wscommuter November 1, 2020 (2:52 pm)

          You comment  is ignorant ranting.  King County – Dow Constantine – has absolutely zero involvement with what occurs within the city of Seattle.  No impact of homelessness, crime or any of the other issues we all care about.  King County – Dow Constantine – deal with county issues – outside of the cities within the county.  It’s fine if you don’t like Dow or other politicians.    Good for you.  But at least get your ranting accurate as to who is accountable for the problems within the city.  

  • Chicago November 1, 2020 (6:12 am)

    Can anyone provide a name or description of the man who was taken into custody? I saw a man behaving similarly around Hiawatha earlier in the day and am wondering if it was the same person. 

  • sf November 1, 2020 (6:57 am)

    You know what…. Small Businesses are “in crisis” too.

    I firmly believe in people before profit.  I believe in reallocating police budget to varied responses.  I believe in a solid social safety net but……We are now putting people before other people. 

    We are allowing this behavior.  We protest against aggression in all forms, microaggressions, macroaggressions, discrimination, prejudice but someone loses their S^&# and displays massive aggression towards other people, society, businesses or themselves and we just say ‘ Well, he’s in crisis and insurance will cover it’.

    Speaking of the phrase ‘in crisis’, George Carlin is rolling in his grave.  The phrase is too soft.  Dude lost his S%^$.  

    My small business is on the edge.  We have no buffer.  We’ve spent over $10,000 in the last 6 months on 3 instances of vehicle damage.  Only $4000 was covered by insurance. 

    What little small businesses make are not being put towards expansion, towards new equipment, towards employees or towards charitable giving – they are now going to new exhaust systems, gas lines, etc.  

    I support a full social safety net and mental health/ drug rehabilitation assistance but the explaining away of continual damage or not supporting restitution, permanent homeless encampments, non punishment for crimes actually committed or not getting these folks off the streets is breaking everything down.   

    This is all of our community, our small businesses, our parks, our city.   Allowing one subset of the population to run roughshod over them destroys the other. 

  • WS2000 November 1, 2020 (11:37 am)

    Best way to do that is to provide social services to people who need them.  Experience has shown over and over that police are only good after the fact, or if they do get involved they often make things worse – they don’t know how to de-escalate anymore.  And having the book thrown at them is not the kind of thing that a non-functioning person processes in a crisis moment.So you want to keep West Seattle the way it is? Take money from the police budget (aka “defunding”) and provide more support to people who need it, to head off as many issues as possible before they reach a crisis point.Oh, providing social services is a lot cheaper in the long run than police and jail.  It’s like any kind of preventive action:  you can pay $40 for an oil change regularly, or pay thousands of dollars when your car engine has a crisis.  Let’s make the smart choice.

    • Mel November 1, 2020 (3:09 pm)

      What makes you believe police don’t know how to deescalate? SPD responded to roughly 17k crises calls last year. How many of those had poor outcomes? I also have personally been in situations where police have responded and done a great job deescalating.

      A lot of these people in crisis don’t want help and won’t willingly take it. So if we defund the police, are we going to force people into treatment for drug abuse and mental illness? Or will we just keep letting it be optional and then have no police to respond to or investigate these crimes when they still are happening?

  • alki_2008 November 2, 2020 (9:46 pm)

    Any update on the suspect?  Another coffee place had a similar situation today, although the window that was pounded on did not break, but the barista was terrified.  So I’m wondering if it could be the same person.

    • WSB November 2, 2020 (11:21 pm)

      No, I have not found the incident #, which means I can’t get the report.

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