WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: New ‘drop-in court’ volleyball net stolen

| Crime | West Seattle news

(New court, minus stolen net – photo courtesy Hannah)

In the past few weeks, we’ve been reporting on the installation of a new type of volleyball court at Alki Beach; WSB’s Hayden Yu Andersen broke the story after learning about it while covering West Seattle Summer Fest. It was installed this past Wednesday morning. Then Hayden got this update today from his first interviewee:

Some unfortunate news in that it looks like the net was stolen, though the lines and poles are intact. We are very sad because we saw very high public usage of the courts in the days prior. The community may put up a temporary one in the interim while the Parks Department investigated this theft of public property. If anyone is aware of its whereabouts please help in returning it, or contacting the Seattle Parks Department – Lisa.Nielsen@seattle.gov

As shown in Hayden’s Wednesday report, the net’s blue border is clearly, and multiply, labeled as Seattle Parks and Recreation property. (No police report # yet; that would have to be filed by the city.)

Either someone has a private court with no net or it’s just a jerk July 26, 2025 (3:33 pm)

that doesn’t want anyone else to enjoy anything. It shouldn’t be hard to find who did it especially with all the condos and businesses facing that way.

CarDriver July 26, 2025 (4:25 pm)

Worth checking nearby dumpsters and garbage cans.

Anne July 26, 2025 (4:34 pm)

Unfortunately -not surprising.

flimflam July 26, 2025 (4:47 pm)

What a ridiculous thing to do.

Justin July 26, 2025 (6:32 pm)

Looks like we need to coordinate a dragNET!

Rob July 26, 2025 (9:56 pm)

Put a apple air tag on the next one.

Slava July 26, 2025 (11:51 pm)

Seattle Parks & Recreation also installed the same net at Golden Gardens. Both were stolen on the same night. It’s either an unfortunate coincidence or someone really doesn’t want these nets there.

Hannah July 27, 2025 (12:14 am)

The nets at golden gardens are still there and fine. Plenty of people playing on them today!
Possible? July 27, 2025 (9:24 am)

Just wondering…. is it possible that it isn’t really the net but that they want the volleyball stopped? Maybe it’s too loud or taking place after hours.? or another idea, it might be it not being visible at night and someone walked into it and felt it was an obstruction to the beach? What’s the reason?
- CarDriver July 27, 2025 (10:47 am)
  
  Have lived on Alki for 40 years now. Have never heard anyone complain about noise and indeed having walked by while people were playing noise is a non issue. As, I’m guessing there’s no market for large nets doubt that they’re showing up on the internet for sale it’s an easy explanation:vandalism.

KT July 27, 2025 (10:01 am)

Are you surprised?

WSB July 27, 2025 (11:06 am)

I’ll break the wall and take this one.
Yeah, I am.
Every time something new gets built, installed, etc., there’s a gaggle of people whose reactions aren’t “Isn’t that cool?” but instead “I bet that’ll get stolen/vandalized quick.”
And you know what?
The majority of the time, whatever was built, installed, etc., does NOT get stolen/vandalized.
So I’m surprised that of all things, this was. – TR

Cookie Monster July 27, 2025 (11:42 am)

Came down to play and the net was gone. It was be nice as someone who plays a lot of volleyball at alki during the summer if they put some cameras in. Just a thought for theft and safety.

K July 27, 2025 (3:05 pm)

Did they ever find the people who stole that net from the Highland Park Playground install a couple years ago? What happened with that? Maybe there is a secondary market for stolen nets?

CarDriver July 27, 2025 (3:41 pm)

K. You can search the internet on “offer up” and “Facebook marketplace” and probably other sites to see for yourself if there are any volleyball nets for sale.As far as finding-and prosecuting the thieves/ vandals those chances are slim to none. Wish I was wrong.