WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another trashed car abandoned at athletic complex

Thanks for the photo and tips. For the second time in three days, someone has trashed a car and abandoned it at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, apparently attempting to roll it down an embankment. We reported Saturday on a car abandoned on the field; neighbors later said there were actually two, but the first was towed quickly. According to archived police-radio exchanges, officers were dispatched just after 6 am today to check out what was described as an abandoned car with broken windows. We’re checking with SPD to see if it turned out to be stolen. We’re also checking with Seattle Public Schools regarding the gate to the parking lot (and fence-repair plans).

SPS WORKER October 14, 2025 (1:44 pm)

I work at that site and security is unwilling to come out and lock gates at night… As one person by myself at night I don’t feel comfortable asking cars to leave and have gotten threatened when locking the gates… Going forward gates will be getting locked even if people are still in the lot past event times…

1994 October 14, 2025 (10:35 pm)

I was wondering about locking gates to prevent parking lot mischief. Parking lot open hours should be posted with info that the gates will be locked by XX hour unless an event is happening with later hours.
- SPS employee October 15, 2025 (2:09 am)
  
  Staff works events and those vary on a daily basis, for example yesterday we have events until 9:30 so the lot was closed by 9:45 tonight events run until 10:45 so gates are going to be closed at 11… Nobody should be in the lot past event times and they will be notified to leave when staff goes home after events.. All gates were locked up last night with school district security and SPD patrolling
WTF October 18, 2025 (1:11 pm)

You need to take that concern to the Parks director Anthony-Paul Diaz AND Richard Best Seattle Public Schools. Do not take no or ignoring for an answer.SPS has ownership of the lot (and gates)you’re referring to, but Parks owns the lot that provides access. That gate DOES need to be locked at night. There has been illegal activity, drifting, non use trespassing for years. If something happens to an employee or guest of the Community Center, the law suit and bad press alone would put their jobs at risk. Mitigation is always an afterthought for this town.