VIDEO: King County Crisis and Commitment Services’ mission explained @ West Seattle Crime Prevention Council

This month’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting offered more than police updates and community Q&A – it also offered the opportunity to learn about an agency you might never have heard of – King County Crisis and Commitment Services. KCCCS has people on duty 24/7, explained Frank Couch, to deal with complaints/allegations about someone who’s become threatening and/or a danger to themselves and/or others. Their potential tool is the Involuntary Treatment Act, which, Couch explained, despite its name, is about public safety, not treatment. Here’s our video of what he told the WSCPC last night at the Southwest Precinct:

Key points from his presentation:

The agency is headquartered in downtown Seattle but serves people countywide, working with more than 30 law-enforcement agencies. Yet to cover all that, they have just 41 people – 6 to 8 crisis responders on duty at any given time, 2 always available by phone to take calls about potential referrals. And right now, they’re short-staffed. Attracting and retaining people is difficult because It’s a challenging job – they are involved in the heat of the crisis and don’t get to see what happens after that. Couch explained, “We’re triaging all day, every day’ – the work is nonstop. But he was clear that they are not “first responders.” They investigate in person and decide if someone needs to be involuntarily detained, for up to 120 hours, after which a hospital can file to keep them for another 14 days or put them on an agreed order.

Keeping people for longer is not a default goal, Couch stressed. “Our job is not only to detain people but also to find less-restrictive options.” Their duty is to protect the patient and community – and to “de-institutionalize” people, compared to the old days of institutionalizing people indefinitely, which is now considered “not appropriate.” People need “a clear path to reintegrate back into the community …. learn to live a productive life.” It’s considered “not appropriate” to institutionalize someone forever.
They may also be called in to evaluate people in jail before they’re released.

Couch explained the decisionmaking progress about whether to “detain” someone – it’s not just law-enforcement referrals, but also the general public, In 2018, the law changed – among other things, references to “designated mental health providers” became references to “responders.” You have the legal right to have a behavioral condition and not be detained for it – but once it becomes a danger to others, or yourself, that’s where this comes in. Complicating matters, though, Couch continued, they run into a capacity problem – there might not be a bed if someone needs it. “We can’t detain unless there’s a bed.” They have to fill out a “no-bed” report if there’s no place for someone to go.

He also offered advice: If you’re reporting someone, tell them everything you can about the person and their behavior rather than trying to make an evaluation/determination – “don’t try to dictate it, just (tell us everything) and we’ll (figure it out) … We don’t detain everyone.” Federal rules limit how many beds a facility can have, he noted in response to a question – you can’t just decide to expand a facility by adding beds. Another question: What can be done about an area with many people likely in danger/crisis, such as an encampment? They deal only with specific individual people who are referred, Couch said.

Contact information for Crisis and Commitment Services is on their webpage.

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About the police search in South Delridge

January 13, 2023 9:12 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Some readers asked about the police search this past hour in South Delridge. Police were looking for a man reported to have violated a no-contact order and damaged some items inside his ex-partner’s apartment near 17th/Henderson. No injuries reported. We haven’t heard yet whether they found him or not. (9:44 pm update: So far, they haven’t.)

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FOLLOWUP: Terminal 5 Quiet Zone project out for bidding

January 13, 2023 8:17 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

One year after the modernized north berth at Terminal 5 in West Seattle had its first cargo call, the T-5 project’s “Quiet Zone” component has finally gone out to bid. It’s a package of crossing improvements aimed at reducing the need for train operators to sound their horns along a six-tenths-of-a-mile stretch of track between T-5 and Riverside Mill (specifics are in this followup last July). In the most-recent briefings, in November, NWSA reps said the project was expected to be in bidding by year’s end. SDOT is overseeing the construction so the bidding documents are in the city system, which says bids are due January 25th. This summary of the project estimates the cost at about $5 million. We have questions out to SDOT regarding when they’re expecting construction to start and conclude, given the current bidding timeline.

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Remembering longtime Junction shop owner Gregor Terjung, 1929-2023

January 13, 2023 6:14 pm

| 20 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Gregor Terjung, longtime owner of Terjung’s Studio of Gifts in the West Seattle Junction. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with his community:

Gregor Terjung, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, entrepreneur, artist, craftsman, passed away on the evening of January 9, 2023 at the age of 93 with his family by his side.

Greg was born an only child on September 19, 1929 in a rural area of Chicago, Illinois to immigrant parents from Hamburg, Germany. He spent his boyhood working on local farms and playing in vacant lots joining friends in pranks and antics. He told stories of rubber-band-pistol fights in the local cemetery, making their own ice-skating rinks and racing bikes with Wizard motors.

As a young teenager, he worked mowing lawns. He learned to paint from his pastor’s wife and created several beautiful acrylic pieces that are still hanging in the Terjung home today. He attended a four-year all-boys technical high school in Chicago and graduated in 1948. Soon after, joining the Western Army Antiaircraft Command at Hamilton Air Force Base in California, where he trained and worked as a draftsman preparing maps and charts.

In the fall of 1950, Greg married the love of his life, Gloria Pucci, and two years later left the army. Greg and Gloria eventually settled in West Seattle, finding work as a graphic platemaker, where he held fond memories of his work and co-workers. He also found great pleasure in sharing camping, boating, hiking, surf fishing, and clamming adventures with family and friends.

Finally, in 1969 Greg found an occupation that would serve him well for 50 years – proprietor of a West Seattle gift store. There again, he loved his work and found great satisfaction in serving people and making close friendships. Greg was active in the West Seattle community, serving as president of the “Junction Shopping Center,” was involved in the West Seattle Rotary Club, and acted as president of the Westside Italian Civic Club (despite his German roots).

After retiring at the age of 89, Greg continued to keep busy in his deluxe workshop, making everything from furniture to small toys, gifting most of his work to family and friends.

It was no secret that Greg had a zest for life, was hardworking, generous, patient, adventurous, kind and loved his family with all his heart.

Greg is survived by his wife Gloria, children Gina McCullough Grohs (Ken), Gail Spores (Beldon), grandson Reis McCullough (Azusa), and great-granddaughter Noelle. A celebration of life will be planned for a future date.

Please share condolences, photos and memories with the Terjung Family at emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Gregor-Terjung

Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

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UPDATE: Power outage for 4,400+ West Seattle customers after tree falls in North Delridge

January 13, 2023 4:03 pm

| 37 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news

4:03 PM: Widespread outage reports. Don’t know yet where it originated. 4400+ customers per Seattle City Light map. Updates to come.

4:06 PM: Wires are reported down at 26th/Juneau. … This is affecting some major intersections such as Fauntleroy/35th and 35th/Avalon so please remember that when the signals are out, it’s an all-ways stop.

4:14 PM: Commenters report hearing three “booms.” (That corresponds with the three flickers we experienced here.) … One more reminder, the “estimated restoration time” you see on the SCL map is only a wild guess, so it’s not anything to take stock in. Basic power-outage advice includes, don’t open your refrigerator/freezer – what’s in them will last longer if you keep the cold air in. More advice here.

4:26 PM: No downed wires were found at 26th/Juneau but a commenter is saying a tree’s down near 25th/26th/Alaska/Hudson. We’re on our way to check that out. Meantime, if you’re hearing a lot of sirens, it’s because power outages tend to set off fire alarms and get people stuck in elevators, both of which result in SFD responses.

4:50 PM: Thanks again for the tips on the tree. Our crew has just gone to that area.

It’s in a somewhat difficult to reach area of a greenbelt near the 4700 block of 26th SW: the initial SCL crew has left to go back for some different equipment to get in and remove it/repair things.

5:13 PM: Power’s back, according to commenters, texters, and the SCL map.

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Small earthquake beneath West Seattle

January 13, 2023 3:43 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| Earthquake | West Seattle news

Thanks for the tip! Last night at 10:13 pm, 16 miles beneath California/Dawson, there was a 2.2-magnitude earthquake, according to the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network. That’s a small quake but it’s the first time in decades that West Seattle has had a 2.0-or-greater quake, according to the PNSN list. (We haven’t heard from anyone who felt it – the tip came from someone who got an automated alert about it.) Last quake we noted here was a 1.4 beneath Roxbury/14th two years ago.

ADDED 4:59 PM: We’ve gone back and searched quake records; since that 1.4 in December 2020, we’ve had two even-smaller microquakes in West Seattle, on two consecutive days – a 1.3, 7.8 miles beneath the surface just west of Fairmount Ravine’s north end, on May 29th of last year, and a 1.7 the next day, 12.7 miles beneath 42nd/Waite.

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REOPENED: After 3 weeks, West Seattle low bridge open again to street/path traffic

January 13, 2023 12:03 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

12:03 PM: Three weeks after closing to street and path traffic because of mechanical trouble, the West Seattle low bridge is about to reopen. Joseph sent that photo showing workers removing fencing from the east side of the low bridge a little while ago; we had moments earlier asked SDOT for a status update; they’ve just confirmed that reopening is imminent:

Seattle Department of Transportation has completed emergency repairs to the Spokane St Swing Bridge (low bridge), and the bridge will reopen this afternoon (Friday, January 13). Crews have already begun removing fencing and traffic control equipment around the bridge, and expect to finish removing signs and barricades by 2 p.m.

Since removing a leaky turn cylinder last Sunday night, they’ve been testing bridge opening/closing without that cylinder, which they warn will mean that opening for maritime traffic will take longer. SDOT has more info here, including the plan for the road sections that had been converted to temporary bike lanes (in short, 1st Ave. S. will be removed, W. Marginal will not); meantime, watch the low-bridge camera for reopening:

2:05 PM: Not reopened yet per live video feed.

2:25 PM: Just reopened.

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6 options for the rest of your West Seattle Friday

January 13, 2023 10:58 am

| Comments Off on 6 options for the rest of your West Seattle Friday

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(One more look at this week’s rainbow show – photo by Kahlia Root)

Here’s what’s ahead as this Friday continues:

SCRABBLE CLUB: Come play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café in the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).

MLK CELEBRATION CONVERSATION: 1 pm Community Conversation as part of The Seattle Colleges‘ annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, featuring Rev. Sharon Risher, in the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Brockey Center. (6000 16th SW)

AFTER-SCHOOL MAGIC LEAGUE: Weekly 4-6 pm event for 12+, $5 per player – learn about and play “Magic: the Gathering” at Meeples Games (3727 California SW)

ALIEN OPEN MIC: It’s happening again at Freshy’s (2735 California SW), 5:55-8:30 pm, hosted by Krystal Kelley, whose website has full details, including how to watch the livestream if you can’t be there in person.

SONGWRITERS’ SHOWCASE: 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: 7 pm doors, 8 pm music, with Double or Muffin, Juicy Thompson and the Snuggle Regime, Here Comes the Hooch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: No home games tonight – everybody’s on the road.

Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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YOU CAN HELP: Student-led donation drive collecting pet food (updated)

January 13, 2023 9:40 am

| Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Student-led donation drive collecting pet food (updated)

| How to help | Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

If you’re shopping for pet food this weekend, consider buying extra for this upcoming donation drive: National Honor Society students at West Seattle High School are hosting a pet food donation drive for Seattle Humane. They will have two dropoff dates – 3 to 5 pm (updated – one date only) January 25th, at the north entrance of WSHS (3000 California SW). Organizers say they’re especially interested in dry or canned cat food, “but we’ll accept it for any pets!”

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Friday begins

January 13, 2023 6:00 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, January 13th.

WEATHER

Rainy and breezy, high in the low 50s.

LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE

This is the 22nd day the low bridge has been closed to street/path users.

Here’s the latest.

REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY ON MONDAY

Schools, government offices, libraries, banks closed Monday; no Water Taxi service; USPS holiday.

TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS

Reminder – while the low bridge is closed to surface traffic, free Metro/Water Taxi rides are available via an app.

–Metro is on a regular schedule today but still down buses for repairs (and Thursday we learned there were more than originally announced) – keep watching notification channels such as @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations and route suspensions.

-The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule (but as mentioned above, no service Monday).

-WSF’s Triangle Route remains on its two-boat schedule- check here for alerts/updates.

SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Updating this recent report, five are now live. Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also up at Delridge/Oregon, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Henderson.

High Bridge – the camera at the top.

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way).

1st Ave. S. Bridge – the south route.

Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.

All working city traffic cams can be seen here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

If you see a problem on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

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