day : 26/03/2025 10 results

City agencies need to communicate better about gun violence to effectively fight it, says City Auditor

| Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

If you feel like there have been more reports of shootings in the last few years, it’s not your imagination. Seattle Police are responding on average to twice as many reports of suspected shots fired as they did prior to the pandemic and 20% of the citywide incidents from 2021-2023 have been in District 1, which includes West Seattle.

Why is it happening and what changes can be made to bring those numbers back down? A new City Auditor’s report on gun violence is being presented tomorrow (Thursday, March 27)to a City Council committee with an eye toward increased cooperation and more effective ways to marshal data to reduce the injuries, deaths, and fear that come with gunfire.

The Governance, Accountability & Economic Development Committee will hear the results of the audit, which was at the request of the committee Chair, Council President Sara Nelson, and Mayor Bruce Harrell. What the audit found is that while a number of different agencies, including public health, have been gathering information about gun violence, they haven’t been collecting or sharing it in a consistent way. The audit pointed to more systematic programs used in a number of other cities — Baltimore, Indianapolis, and Portland — where sharing the data regularly within public agencies, coupled with a public information campaign to address gun violence, has resulted in a significant decrease in gun incidents and injuries.

The biggest takeaway from the audit is, “communicate, communicate, communicate,” but it also urges stronger data analysis and taking advantage of any resources that are available. It pointedly mentioned that the US Department of Justice offers a 10-step “roadmap” for reducing violent crime, for which the DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs offers technical assistance free of charge to communities. Auditor’s staff took advantage of this assistance for the purposes of the audit, noting, “Before our audit, the City had not been following the Violent Crime Reduction Roadmap nor using free technical assistance from OJP.”

The question about why there’s been such an increase in guns being fired (and a similar increase in injuries and deaths) since 2020 doesn’t have a single answer. The audit does note that the number of guns stolen in the city is also up since 2018. But it focuses most on clues in the data that have the potential to yield actionable next steps. Patterns like time of year (gun violence spikes in the summer), location (a particular park or street corner), who is involved and why, whether there is other crime in the area, can help focus violence prevention efforts in specific places rather than responding to calls of “shots fired,” when it’s already happened. A suggestion to potentially bring in the city’s Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) Department was another key recommendation.

The committee meeting starts tomorrow at 2 pm in the Council Chamber at City Hall. There is an opportunity for public comment shortly after the start of the meeting for which you must register ahead of time, as the agenda explains.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire at Delridge/Thistle (updated Thursday)

March 26, 2025 10:19 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news

10:19 PM: Within the past half-hour, 911 got calls from people who thought they heard gunfire near Delridge and Thistle. Police have just confirmed it; they heard from a person who reported their car was shot at while at that intersection. The shooter(s) were in another vehicle. That’s one of the SPD criteria for confirming gunfire – if someone actually sees it (other criteria include injuries, damage, or found casings)

ADDED 11:37 AM THURSDAY: Here’s the redacted narrative we obtained from SPD:

On 03/26/2025 at 2141 hours I was working uniformed patrol as 3F21. I was dispatched to Delridge Wy SW and SW Thistle St for a report of shots fired. I arrived in the area and did not locate any scene. A short time later XXXXXXX, XXXXXX called in and reported his vehicle had been shot at the intersection and he was currently outside of the city.

I contacted XXXXXX by phone to take the report. XXXXXX stated that he was traveling southbound on Delridge Wy SW and was stopped at the traffic signal at the intersection of Delridge Wy SW and SW Thistle St. XXXXXX advised that a [DARK SEDAN] drove past him at a high rate of speed failing to stop at the red light. XXXXXX stated the light changed to green and he continued southbound, but [ANOTHER DARK SEDAN] came from behind him and attempted to pass him on the passenger side.

XXXXXX advised the vehicle eventually came along the passenger side of his vehicle and fired two gunshots into the passenger door of his vehicle WA XXXXXXX. XXXXXX stated one round struck the door and the other hit the passenger side mirror breaking it. XXXXXX advised that the vehicle sped away westbound on SW Thistle St from the scene. I provided XXXXXX with the Axon link to upload photos of the damage. XXXXXX did not have any license plate information or suspect description. No evidence was located at the scene. GVRU was notified of the incident.

(That’s the Gun Violence Reduction Unit.)

Share This

WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Thunderstorms move through (photos and video added), alert expires

March 26, 2025 3:55 pm

| 36 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

3:55 PM: The official regional alerts map for the National Weather Service is finally showing an alert for the possible “severe thunderstorms” that have been looming. The Severe Thunderstorm Watch alert is in effect until 9 tonight. That’s an upgrade from the “outlook” announced previously, but a “watch” is lower-level than a “warning,” which indicates some level of uncertainty. Of course, it’s important to prepare anyway! Seattle Public Schools is closing all buildings as of 5 pm and canceling after-school/evening activities. Updates to come.

5 PM: In case you’re nowhere near a window, but wondering … quiet so far, still partly sunny here. Regional radar shows the most intense storm cells currently in southwestern Washington.

(Added: Photo sent by Christopher)

6:30 PM: Still quiet but folks at the HPAC meeting have commented on seeing people covering their cars along streets they traveled to get here; co-chair Kay Kirkpatrick said her goal is to gavel the meeting in an hour so everyone can get home before the (potential) storm.

7:10 PM: Radar shows some intense cells not far south of here. Whether they’ll move directly north over us, or skirt us by moving east, we should know before too long. In the meantime, it’s raining now, at least here in North Delridge…. Added above, a storm photo by David Hutchinson.

(Added, lightning bolt photographed by Jerry Simmons)

7:38 PM: More thunder and lightning.

8:28 PM: That wave was over by the time we left Delridge Library around 8 – just light rain along the way. (No one’s reported hail so far tonight, 2″ or otherwise.)

ADDED FRIDAY NIGHT: Thanks to Mark in Arbor Heights for sending his video of a lightning bolt:

Share This

FLYOVER ALERT: For Mariners’ season opener Thursday

March 26, 2025 3:44 pm

| 16 COMMENTS

| Seen around town | West Seattle news

(Photo by James Tilley, from 2023 Seahawks-gameday flyover by Growlers from Whidbey)

The Mariners‘ season starts tomorrow, with an evening game vs. Oakland at T-Mobile Park. And the Mariners’ media memo for the homestand reveals the 7:10 pm game will be preceded by a flyover. Since that often means the participating aircraft are sighted over West Seattle in advance, we asked M’s spokesperson Adam Gersch for specifics:”U.S. Navy, flying a pair of EA-18G fighter jets in a south-to-north flight pattern.” Those are also known as Growlers, many of which are based at NAS Whidbey Island.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: Here’s the $450,000+ starting-salary contract Sound Transit proposes for Dow Constantine to become CEO

March 26, 2025 1:46 pm

| 30 COMMENTS

| Sound Transit | West Seattle news

1:46 PM: Toplines of the contract Sound Transit is offering Dow Constantine to become its next CEO – pending a two-thirds-or-more board vote tomorrow afternoon – are now posted on the ST website, in this proposed board motion. The base salary is $450,000; the contract would start April 1 and run through December 31, 2026, “with two one-year renewal options at the Board’s discretion.” The motion also notes:

A market study will be completed at the end of 2025 to determine a base salary for 2026 that will be set, at a minimum, at the average of market comparable salaries, but not less than the current annual salary. The same process will be applied to determine base salary for 2027 if the Board, in their discretion, renews the agreement for the 2027 one-year term.

In addition to the annual market-rate base salary increase in 2026 and 2027, for each year, an annual 3% to 6%-Base Salary increase will be awarded based on Mr. Constantine’s annual performance rating.

Various amounts for incentives and expenses are laid out, too:

*”An Annual Contribution Performance Award of $30,000 may also be awarded on based upon the achievement of mutually agreed to goals”

*”Mr. Constantine will receive an annual taxable expense allowance of $24,000 to defray routine business expenses incurred performing his duties under the employment agreement”

*”Mr. Constantine will receive a one-time home office equipment stipend of $10,000 to facilitate the initial setup of the CEO’s technology and equipment needs and to further the performance of the CEO.”

The board motion also goes into details of health benefits, retirement-account contributions, and travel. It’s not the actual full contract, though; we’re requesting that. Meantime, Thursday’s meeting with the scheduled vote – which includes as usual a public-comment period – is set for 1:30-4 pm at the ST board room inside Union Station, or you can attend/comment online (the agenda document explains how).

5:23 PM: A Sound Transit spokesperson tells us we’ll have to file a public-records request to get the actual contract. … Meantime, looking around the ST archives, we found documents noting that former CEO Peter Rogoff was hired at $365,000 base salary in 2018; short-term former CEO Julie Timm‘s starting base salary in 2022 was $375,000.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: Crash-plagued West Seattle Bridge curve not due for work any time soon

March 26, 2025 12:01 pm

| 79 COMMENTS

| Safety | West Seattle news

(Reader photo, Sunday)

We promised that after another flipped-car crash toward the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge last weekend, we’d ask SDOT for an update on what they told us a month and a half ago, that they had a “plan to add safety enhancements” before year’s end. However, this plan apparently hasn’t solidified, as the answer we got today to the request Monday for timeline etc. was:

We’re continuing to explore potential safety improvements. Our team is working on next steps and will provide updates as plans progress.

We’re trying again to see if they can get a little more specific.

Share This

Need to shred? Delridge Community Center event ahead

March 26, 2025 11:21 am

| Comments Off on Need to shred? Delridge Community Center event ahead

| Delridge | Environment | West Seattle news

If you didn’t get to the recent West Seattle shredding/recycling event … or have amassed need-to-shred paper since then … Seattle Parks has just announced an event ahead:

On Saturday, April 5, from 10:30 am-1:30 pm, Delridge Community Center will host a paper shredding event. Get rid of confidential documents securely! Please remove paper clips and staples. Limit 2 garbage bags per car. Recommended $10 donation to support Delridge CC’s programs.

Delridge CC is at 4501 Delridge Way SW. One more thing: Parks says this is for residents, not businesses.

Share This

HPAC, home-selling strategies, two book clubs, more for your West Seattle Wednesday

March 26, 2025 9:55 am

| Comments Off on HPAC, home-selling strategies, two book clubs, more for your West Seattle Wednesday

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Tuesday beachgoers during record warmth, photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Here’s what’s happening for the rest of your Wednesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Wednesdays at 10 am, too! Meet at 47th/Fauntleroy.

TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at the bookstore’s new location. (4522 California SW)

AMERICAN MAH JONGG: All levels welcome, noon-4 pm at The Missing Piece (35th/Roxbury).

REJUVENATE YOGA: Weekly class at Viva Arts, 1:30 pm. Drop-in. $20. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)

TODDLER STORY TIME AT SW LIBRARY: 3 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).

HOMEWORK HELP: 4-7:30 pm free drop-in help at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).

VASHON SUPERINTENDENT MEETUP: 5-6 pm, the Vashon Island School District’s superintendent is scheduled to be at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) to chat with families.

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix it instead of discarding it! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).

BE A SMART SELLER: Thinking about selling your home? West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor) shares the strategic secrets of success, 6 pm event, free!

PAPER BOAT BOOK CLUB: 6 pm, Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW) hosts its book club, this time discussing “The Office Of Historical Corrections” by Danielle Evans.

WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: Open invitation to the group’s weekly meetup, 6-8 pm at Great American Diner & Bar. (4752 California SW)

FREE GROUP RUN: All runners, all levels, are invited to join the weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) group run – meet at the shop by 6:15 pm.

HPAC: The community coalition for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge gathers at 6:30 pm at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), with topics including the city’s encampment response – here’s the preview.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate – tonight it’s Arthur James. (7902 35th SW)

TRIVIA x 3: Three Wednesday trivia locations on our West Seattle list: Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night begins at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW), all ages until 10 pm.

MORBIDLY CURIOUS BOOK CLUB: 7 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW) – see our calendar listing for this month’s book details.

MUSIC BINGO: Play at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: Ready to step up to the mic and show your talents? 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Planning an open house, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, show, meeting, presentation, etc., that’s open to the community? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Share This

COUNTDOWN: One month until spring Recycle Roundup

March 26, 2025 9:00 am

| Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: One month until spring Recycle Roundup

| Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from last fall’s Recycle Roundup)

One month from today – on Saturday, April 26 – Fauntleroy Church hosts the next twice-yearly Recycle Roundup. We have the official list of what they will and won’t take this time – see it here. This is a free drive-up/ride-up/walk-up event in the church’s lot at 9140 California SW, 9 am-3 pm, in partnership with 1 Green Planet.

Share This

TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Wednesday watch

March 26, 2025 6:00 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

After a record-for-the-date high on Tuesday (73), we’re looking at mid-60s today – but possibly accompanied by “severe” storms! Check here for updated alerts. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 6:59 am and 7:31 pm.

TRANSIT TODAY

Water Taxi – West Seattle service is back to normal.

Metro buses – Regular schedule.

Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Sealth serving as the “bonus boat.”

ROAD WORK

-Utility crews have been working this wee on SW Holden west of 16th and on 16th north of Myrtle.

-In White Center, the 16th SW closure at 104th continues, with detours.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.

See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

Share This