(WSB photo, January 9)

When West Seattleite Leesa Manion was sworn in as King County Prosecuting Attorney two weeks ago, she promised to make policy announcements before month’s end. Today she made good on that promise. She said she hopes the changes will bring “focused attention to some of King County’s greatest areas of concern.” Quoting from the announcement, they are:

*A new Gun Violence Prevention Unit “to identify and prosecute the individuals perpetuating the most harm in our communities, and also to connect individuals who are close to gun violence to meaningful community-based resources before they become victims or perpetrators of violence. This includes expanding coordination with our Extreme Risk Protection Order team.”

*A new division of criminal practice “focused on gender-based violence and prevention.” Manion notes, “Cases involving rape, sexual assault and domestic violence often share some common evidentiary issues, and a focused approach will improve the prosecution of these serious crimes.” The division includes the Domestic Violence Unit, the Sexually Violent Predator Unit, Special Assault Units that handle sex crimes, prosecutors handling commercial sexual exploitation (trafficking), and Hate Crimes, among other practices.

*A new Economic Crimes and Wage Theft Division to “include organized retail theft, economic crimes, identity theft, multiple types of fraud, elder abuse, and wage theft.” Manion noted, “In 2022, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed more than double the number of organized retail theft charges than it did in 2021. Many of those cases were filed in collaboration with the Seattle City Attorney’s Office.”

*A new Felony Traffic Unit is being created “to underscore the importance and seriousness of vehicular homicide and assault cases and their devastating impacts on victims and survivors.”

The announcement adds:

The volume of felony criminal cases is not expected to decrease with today’s announcements of new divisions and units. Violent crimes and repeat property crimes remain a priority. Prior to today’s announcements of new divisions and units, the mainstream Criminal Division typically filed between 20-30 felony cases each day. (Here’s a summary for December.)

The announcement also shared the org chart that results from all this, with the last org chart under Manion’s predecessor Dan Satterberg (for whom she served as Chief of Staff).

Three more reader reports, two with security images:

STOLEN KIA: Nelson in North Shorewood says that amid multiple car break-ins, this one was stolen:

It’s a 2013 Kia Rio Hatchback, color black, with a sticker on the back right that reads “Not today Satan.” The neighbors reported seeing five armed men in two cars and called the cops. License plate BQR4838. (KCSO) case number C-23021370

BURGLARS ON CAMERA: From Mary:

We’re mid-renovation and had our home broken into last night. Mostly tools stolen and a laptop, front door left open etc. 11:20-11:50 pm Mon Jan 23. Cops have been gathering evidence but wanted to see if anyone sees anything on their cameras, etc. We’re in Fauntleroy right by Original Bakery off 44th coming down the hill. Sounds like very large white box truck [as seen by a neighbor].

PACKAGE TAKEN: Diane is looking for a stolen package:

She reports, “It happened today at 1:42, Myrtle and 31st. I just noticed around 3 pm on my camera. I drove around the neighborhood looking for a discarded package.” No luck yet.

Three West Seattle Crime Watch reports this morning:

(One of the broken car windows in the neighborhood)

CAR-WINDOW RAMPAGE: We’ve heard from multiple people about this. Here’s what Marcus and Chantell reported:

We along with many of our neighbors in the Fairmount Park neighborhood (we’re on the 5400 block of 37th Ave SW specifically) woke up to smashed car windows this morning. From talking with other neighbors out to survey the damage, it sounds like at least a couple dozen cars may have been hit.

They’ve talked with an officer who told them the report number for all the incidents is 23-022558. Another reader who emailed us said it was believed to have happened around 1 am.

BUSINESS BREAK-IN: Thanks to Mary for the tip. Burglar(s) hit another business overnight – this time, Dough Joy Donuts in The Junction. We went to the shop to ask about it.

Dough Joy is usually closed Tuesdays – but they’re there today cleaning up and expect to be ready to open on their next regular day, Thursday. They told us the burglar(s) took two iPads. This is at least the fifth Junction business burglary/burglary attempt in the past month – after By and By, Cherry Consignment, Junction True Value, and Menashe & Sons Jewelers. The West Seattle Junction Association tells WSB they’re talking about ways to improve business-district-wide security.

VIDEO OF FIRST WEST SEATTLE AUTOWORKS BREAK-IN: Last weekend we reported on two break-ins at West Seattle Autoworks (7501 35th SW; WSB sponsor), Friday night and Saturday morning. We included video of the second burglary, in which a white van was backed into the garage door twice, Today WSAW has shared video of the first burglary, in which a red Honda was driven up in front of the office and the burglars got out to smash their way in:

Just after a minute into the next clip, you’ll see the safe thrown out the window before one of the burglars struggles to get it into the vehicle:

In part of the security video, the vehicle’s plate is shown – CEK7902. One other number of note – if you have any information, the SPD incident number is 23-019442.