WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Junction EV-charging station hit by vandalism/theft again

| Crime | Utilities | West Seattle news

That’s the stub where a cord should be connected to the base of one of the city-owned EV-charging stations on 39th SW in The Junction. We went over after tips this morning and saw the cords missing on both of the chargers. We subsequently asked Seattle City Light spokesperson Jenn Strang about the plan for repair; she indicated the situation was news to them, but said somebody would be dispatched to investigate. The chargers were installed three years ago, and we’ve covered multiple vandalism/theft incidents before.

Jay September 7, 2023 (4:05 pm)

Can’t have any wires outside. Last year thieves were cutting ground wires off the utility poles in Puget Ridge.

Observant Biker September 7, 2023 (4:30 pm)

I saw a lot of stripped wire casing next to the west end of the lower bridge bike path Wednesday evening. Curious if it is related but I don’t know the timing of the cutting of the cords?

bolo September 7, 2023 (6:01 pm)

What you are describing is a common occurrence. Often, it correlates to a string of streetlights that are newly out of order.

My guess as to why that area is a persistent wire insulation-stripping area is that there is a metals salvage yard right around the corner.
bill September 7, 2023 (6:32 pm)

I passed a dude brazenly stripping wires there a couple of days ago, conveniently close to the metal recycling business. You know, the see no evil, hear no evil business. Sorry but there needs to be some serious regulation of that industry.
- The King September 7, 2023 (8:06 pm)
  
  Blaming the industry that didn’t create the problems our city has. Just like people here blaming Kia for car thefts. Why not blame window manufacturers for not making a product strong enough to withstand a car running into storefronts.
- Nadmiral2 September 8, 2023 (9:15 am)
  
  Curious: Did YOU take a picture and report it ? Or are you ‘see no evil ‘ as well? Meanwhile: yes there should be observation/proving of buyers if scrap.

Stinky September 7, 2023 (5:53 pm)

I wonder how much copper you get off that one wire. Maybe $10 bucks. That seems like a lot of effort for not a lot of money. Idiots

Joe September 7, 2023 (7:25 pm)

$10 is one or two fentanyl pills. I’m sure that’s where its all going.
TIM September 8, 2023 (7:58 am)

Just enough money to buy drugs
Jeepney September 8, 2023 (8:54 am)

$10 is enough to get high.

Marcus September 8, 2023 (4:22 am)

Why are we so surprised? Let’s see we have auto thieves, bank robbers, smash and grab pressing businesses, ecological damage with “city campers”-but now we have an insult to our efforts to provide clean transportation. This is a travesty and a slap across our faces.

Amy Thomson September 8, 2023 (6:45 am)

I went to Amsterdam earlier this year, and their chargers do not have permanently installed charging cables, and are much less susceptible to vandalism. Instead, there is a permanent box with a two-ended charging cable that the car owner (presumably) plugs into the charging station and their car.Also, I was in South Park two days ago, and noticed that the charging stations there had been similarly vandalized.

Matt September 8, 2023 (8:31 pm)

Most major auto makers have announced a shift from CCS to the Tesla NACS (J3400) standard. Not only would this allow you to charge at Tesla supercharger stations but it will likely enable these type of socket outlets where the cable stays with the vehicle. That can’t come soon enough!

moogesboogs September 8, 2023 (9:02 am)

Americans can’t have nice things. So sad, wish I could leave.

Jason September 8, 2023 (11:17 am)

The chargers in the deck under Whole Foods at the junction have the same issue. Wonder if there’s a way to wrap the cords in something stronger or put an alarm and camera on every charging station. Sheesh

Sorry, comment time is over.